LONDON – Former British home secretary Jacqui Smith reached a “flawed decision” when she disregarded compelling medical evidence in the case of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, the high court in London heard yesterday.
Mr McKinnon, who is facing extradition to the US, suffers from Asperger’s syndrome and could easily be tried in Britain, the court was told – thus avoiding the risk that he might commit suicide if jailed in the US.
Mr McKinnon (43) is from north London, and is resisting extradition to stand trial for hacking into the US defence department and Nasa computer systems in 2001 and 2002.
A judicial review of Ms Smith’s ruling heard that he could face a sentence of up to 12 years if convicted.
Mr McKinnon had already agreed to plead guilty to offences under the computer misuse act, an option the DPP turned down.
The hearing is due to be concluded today and judgment is likely to be reserved. – ( Guardianservice)