The ice axe killers
 

I was amazed to read Accy web and find no comment on these scumbags so I decided to put in my two-appence, how is it that these bullying scum actually are allowed to live amongst decent law abinding citizens, could we not find another Island that we could put them on, I don't belive in the death penalty but sometimes, when I read stories like this, I wonder if I surpport the wrong side.
Taylor had only just been been released from serving 8 months of a 21 month sentence for burglary. He teamed up with his cousin to resume a life of drugs, petty crime and violence.
KILLERS Michael Barton and Paul Taylor had a furious fight behind bars when one decided to admit the race murder of Anthony Walker.

Barton was infuriated Taylor changed his not guilty plea to guilty after they had concocted a pack of lies over Anthony’s death.
That meant Barton had to dream up another version of events — and led to him claiming he was not even there when Anthony was killed with an axe. They planned to tell the court there had been a general fight after Barton was threatened with a bottle by Anthony’s cousin Marcus Binns.
The pair were also going to say the attack was NOT racially motivated — and Anthony died from an accidental blow as Taylor tried to defend himself.
Do you think this is just a gut reaction and as it happened in Liverpool it won't happen in Accy or am I too far away from the facts and its not as bad as the papers make out.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I quite agree, the whole thing is awfull.

However, I think it is worth pointing out that this was allowed to happen because the legal system in this country is seriously flawed.

We often hear about the corruption of the Police service, though compared to the inaction of the courts the state of the Police Force falls into insigificance!

For example, on many occasions the Police will arrest the likes of those mentioned above for whatever crime and will gain a good solid conviction. Yet this becomes a waste of time when all the courts do is let them back out again.

Had these thugs served a proper sentance for their last crimes this terrible act would probably never have happened.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

These 2 were a disaster waiting to happen, don't we profile these scumbags anymore? the more I read about it the more I see if it wasn't this kid they killed it would have been someone else, an old lady walking from the shops or someone else they had a grudge against like Gays or Asians. I just hope they go down for a long time.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Not very likely, even if they are given life they will be out in 15 years!

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I think Anthonys mum, is she called Gee was and is a true inspiration to others. To talk about her sons killers on TV and to proudly say she forgives them brought a tear to my eyes. I dont think i could forgive anybody who had killed my child.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Why doesn't life mean life anymore? These two animals should be locked up in very spartan conditions until they die. The judiciary and government seem to put a very low value on human life these days. Anthony's mum is courageous, but she and the rest of her family are now sadly serving a REAL life sentence.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Just seen that the judge sentenced Paul Taylor to serve a minimum of 23 years 8 months, and Michael Barton a minimum of 17 years 8 months.
Im not a fan of the justice system by any stretch of the imagination but i must say im pleasantly surprised at the judge's gumption here!

Re: The ice axe killers
 

So Taylor will be out when he's 43 and Barton when he's 34. The law should be changed so that life means life.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I quite agree!

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Times like this its a pity we did away with the death sentance.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

This whole carry on sends out the wrong message to killers.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Anthony isn't going to get a second chance. Why should his killers?

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I have in many threads mentioned that I am in favour of the death penalty, and yet when crimes are finally shown to be as horrendous as this, (and sometimes even worse).
You, jimmi5bellies, have opened up the topic for those uncaring people that think a life isn't worth a life! They will now innundate us with reasons of doubt as to why we can't just 'snap a neck' and remove from society people that do not care enough about others.
We all hope this sort of crime doesn't happen to our nearest and dearest, however before these wonderfully tolerant people come on and tell us how wrong and dreadfully evil we are.
Let them just consider, the chanches of it happening are very remote, but I would rather have the criminal dead than he/she be allowed the chance of it happening again.
Crying into your hanky afterwards is nowhere near as good as not having to go through the pain of losing a loved one because society is too cowardly to give someone what they deserve.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

i completely agree with all of you but i suppose on the other side of the coin, to Barton and Taylor, its like spending their whole life time so far in prison, if that makes sense.
i dont think they will see it as an 'easy sentence' (then again what manc does see a sentence as easy?!)
anthonys mother is reportedly very pleased with the sentences.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

They shouldnt. Parole should not be an option but they will get it and protection etc. It stinks like pig ...........:(

Re: The ice axe killers
 

i think murder is 20 years but they will only do 10 for so called good behaviour and they could serve even less coz my spidy senses are tingleing and i sense a dogooder waiting to protest that they were beyond controling their own actions because of trauma suffered at age 8 when they didnt get their favourite barbi doll for xmas

expect them home for next xmas :rolleyes:

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Could we jail the interfering dogooders?

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Only if we release all the prisoners now and increase the building of new prisons by 1,000%.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_112.gif

Re: The ice axe killers
 

i think the people who release criminals early should have to serve a prison sentence if the released prisoner comits a crime in the period of time that they would have origionaly been in jail

it may make them think twice about relasing prisoners early

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Im all for the death sentance in instances like this, the case of Sarah Payne, Sarah and Jessica,Jamie Bulger (ok, i know his killers were kids themselves, but at aged 11 you know right from wrong...so they should have at least served 50 years and taken their childhood away).
When a case is proved without reasonable doubt that murder has been committed, and with forensics we have today then i think the leathal injection should be brought back.
Hindley and Brady should have had the injection, would have saved the government and tax payers many hundreads of thousands of pounds that could have been better spent on inventing newer and better forensic equipments.
These are just my opinions and everybody is entitled to one.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

At the time the death sentence was abolished I was glad. I had heard about the miscarriages of Justice (Derek Bentley, Timothy Evans etc.) and I thought it was wrong to execute people for this sort of crime.

In the intervening years I have changed my mind. I began to have doubts at the trial of Brady and Hindley, so obviously guilty and so vile, and the way crimes violence have escalated has made me even more in favour of the ultimate deterrent.

So, the life of a decent young man is worth nothing more than 23 years in prison - comfortable life, recreation and the chance to study? Where is the deterrent to anyone who takes it into his head to kill another human being? If I walk into your home and shoot you I can expect 20 years inside, less with remission. I don't face the hangman's noose so, what the hell? If I commit a robbery and kill a policewoman in the process, so what? She has no life - but I do.

The 2 people who killed Anthony did it in the secure knowledge that they had nothing to fear but the loss of their freedom for a few years. The threat of "the drop" might have made them think twice.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I found it so sad that this happened at more or less the same time as the bombings in London, and the shooting of the Brazilian man on the tube, and yet no one bothered to comment on the story here at the time. Lots of strong opinions were posted on here about the one terrible tradgedy, and with hindsight what I feel were wholly misguided comments before we knew the facts, and yet none on this racist killing that was somewhat closer to home.

I think the dead boy's Mother showed great compassion when she commented about the letter one of her son's killers had written to her, saying he was sorry. Her comment that she thought his parents must have instilled some goodness in him, made me feel because of her attitude, perhaps we one day will be able to live in harmony. A true Christian lady.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

What I don't understand is why a racially motivated murder gets a longer sentence?A life is a life to me.Also it only takes one person to swing an axe so were they both charged with murder?If they were it's a farce.Unless there are details we don't know about or I'm oblivious to.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

The lady obviously wishes to see good in everyone. That young thug knew he was going to be found guilty of murder and, no doubt, he hoped expressing regret might mitigate his sentence. Of course he was sorry, he was sorry he got caught.

The victim's mother is a remarkable lady, she shows true Charity. The evil scum who murdered her son didn't think twice about burying an axe in the lad's head. Sorry? If it were not so tragic the concept would be laughable. Sadly, there are more of his kind in this world than there are those like her.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I think the judges sentence was 'fair' but I wonder what it will be reduced to once these evil men have appealed. I too believe the death sentence should be brought back for scum like this. Why should tax payers foot the bill for food and luxuries such as degrees just so they can be released to commit more crime. I also think those who release them should be held responsible and punished if they reoffend.
Fair play to the Family for being able to forgive them, like others on here, I doubt very much that I could if it was one of my kids

Re: The ice axe killers
 

I don't seriously believe they can forgive.Not in a million years.It's almost saying that acts like this are acceptable if you forgive it.Bring back the death sentence.It might also deter the suicide bombers at least they won't get to see the almighty Allah if the are executed.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

why should it matter if it was racialy motivated, murder is murder racial is just a reason like killing somone for revenge is a reason

getting longer in prison for killing a black person for instance will only make people go and kill a white person or vice versa because as long as you kill somone with the same coloured skin its not deemed as bad

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Well, my opinion is, such as you might want to read it, that I would rather be dead than to be locked up somewhere and not be able to walk freely around the village I live in. Not to curl up in my own bed, spend time with 'im indoors, see my grandchildren and my own kids. I've never been to prison, but have worked in a police station with cells...........it's not good. If they are dead, where is the punishment?

Re: The ice axe killers
 

if somone killed my child i wouldnt be to bothered about the satisfaction of the murderers future suffering , knowing he was dead and out of the way for ever preferably by my own hands or at the very least been allowed to pull the lever would do just fine

Re: The ice axe killers
 

Maybe we need Singapores attitude at times like this.

Re: The ice axe killers
 

one thing that puzzles me about this case is how did they find the murder weapon..?

sirely an ice axe would have melted way before the police turned up :confused:

Re: The ice axe killers
 

They had a sientific test for it . The blood and water next to each other gave it away. ;)