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The French have spoken. Overseas officials have denied U.S. requests to extradite Hans Peterson back to the States to stand trial for the murder of Dr. David Cornbleet. The 29-year-old Peterson allegedly confessed to killing Cornbleet, his former dermatologist, due to a prescription drug that left him impotent. Despite pleas from U.S. senators Durbin and Obama, the French embassy returned a rejected verdict, with the explanation that they won’t sell out a French national. After the murder Peterson fled to St. Martin, and declared himself a national through his mother in May.
So what happens now? The appeals to France won’t stop, says Durbin, who has a staff member who knew Dr. Cornbleet. Jon, the late doctor’s long-suffering son, vows to not give up hope; he’s backed by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, whose spokesman affirmed that they “will use every legal and diplomatic means at our disposal to get this killer extradited back to the United States.” If all else fails, the trail will most likely go on in the Caribbean. We’ll be keeping a close eye on what develops, as there’s also the Law & Order-esque “the meds made me do it” defense, which never fails to confound on some level.
Self-edited image via about.com.
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Isn't this why we have extraordinary rendition?
Guest #1: No. Extraordinary rendition is extrajudicial transfer of someone from one nation to another. In some cases those people are then threatened with transfer them to a country that tortures, such as Syria, if they don't participate.
France, like much of the industrialized West, refuses to extradite people if they might face execution, as might be the case for Mr. Peterson here.
The Cornbleet family has indicated that they have no problem with the state taking execution off the table, if it means that Mr. Peterson can be sent to the US to face justice.
Again, isn't pansy crap like this the reason why we have extraordinary rendition?
Can't really see how extraordinary rendition could be applied to this.
What is guest suggesting? That we go to war with France over this guy? That we invade the European Union? Bit extreme, don't you think?
So in other words, if you want to get away with murder:
1. Kill your target in a state that has the death penalty.
2. Hop the next flight to France.
3. Live off the French welfare state.
Wonderful.
It's amazing that, in this day and age, a country as modern as France doesn't see the validity in murdering a murderer.
The amazing part is that in this day and age democracies tell other democracies how to manage their criminal justice system. It is one thing to block a fascist state from doing something to its citizens. It is quite another to second guess a democracy.
The death penalty is popular. People want it. They elect politicians who vote for it.
If you don't want it, elect people who will repeal it. Or when you are on a jury, (the most democratic institution around) don't vote for it.
Why France gets a say in how Illinois handles a murderer is beyond me. Oh, wait, it is because we are stupid and uncivilized, unlike our enlightened neighbors in Europe, where all problems have been solved. The arrogance is astounding, but nothing new from that quarter.
I can see the logic of a country like France, which has outlawed the death penalty, refusing to release a prisoner to a state where, in the last 15 years, more people have been exonerated from death row than have actually been executed.
Quoting Justice Blackmun "I will no longer tinker with the machinery of death." And France won't either. Good for them.
Since France, like most of the Western Democracies, won't extradite it's citizens to a country where they might be executed (capital punishment being something that was outlawed by popular vote there), I see no conflict. All sovereign states have the right insist that other nations respect their laws and treaties, especially in regards to their citizens on thier soil.
If Illinois was really concerned about justice being served, they would take execution off the table, and guarantee France that the US will not kill Mr. Peterson. Certainly the Cornbleet family has indicated that it "would not object if prosecutors don't seek death". So there is no reason for France to hold Mr. Peterson if the US will work to see that he is prosecuted fairly here.
As far as France getting "a say in how Illinois handles a murderer", well it's no different than the US having a say in the caning of Michael P. Fay.
"The amazing part is that in this day and age democracies tell other democracies how to manage their criminal justice system"
What's amazing about that? We do it all the time.
>We do it all the time
I know that knee jerk America bashing is how people show that they are smarter than us rubes, but when does this happen?
I haven't heard of a French murderer landing in the US, then not being extradited because we didn't approve of the *lenient* sentence he could expect at home. We would probably respect their (foolish) ways and send him back home.
Sure, I can see the logic of the French telling us barbarians what to do. I can also see the logic of stuffing him in the trunk of a car and spiriting him back to the US on an unregistered plane to face the justice we (his countrymen and women) feel he deserves, trial by jury with the possiblity of execution if found guilty.
If France won't respect our sovereignty, why should we respect theirs?
Guest #11: Um, because our Congress approved an exradition treaty with France? You can't just go and kidnap someone because you want revenge and don't like the agreements that have been made according to the Constitution.
"....I can see the logic of a country like France, which has outlawed the death penalty, refusing to release a prisoner to a state where, in the last 15 years, more people have been exonerated from death row than have actually been executed...."
That statement is very wrong. People have been taken off death row for a number of reasons. However, being "exonerated" is very different from being taken off death row. Many people have been taken off death row who were guilty as sin.
Guest #11, a problem I see it is that the actions you describe would likely be against French law. Do we extradite the kidnappers back to France upon demand in your scenario?
We have not yet extradicted ten or more alleged CIA personnel back to Italy upon demand. Should they come here and try to kidnap them?
A solution that I believe is more palatable, except socially, culturally and economically, is to ban Americans from travelling to France, and also to ban French citizens or those whom France would protect from travelling here. That way, we can be more sure that these situations do not arise in the future. Well, maybe not all that, but something along these lines. Perhaps demand the criminal records of all French people before they are allowed to enter the U.S.?
Michael P. Fay was an kid from Missouri, not a Singapore citizen who developed a sudden interest in changing nationalities. Plus, he *did* get his ass caned. Nice try though.
@Ward up-
The legal definition of "exonerated" is "to clear from accusation and the 13 inmates were actually released from prison.
12 were executed in the same time period.
And even if someone's sentence is communted from death to life in prison, it is for a very good reason, such as prosecutorial misconduct. At that point guilt becomes irrelevant. Regardless of guilt, if mistakes were made in the legal process, someone should not be executed as a result of a flawed system. (Obviously I would argue that the whole system is flawed).
>likely be against French law.
...And? They don't respect our laws and we won't t respect theirs. Sucks doesn't it? Wouldn't it be better to come to some kind of agreement on this issue?
Of course we aren't caving to Italy either. They harbored guys who are making war on us. We asked nicely, didn't get a response, so we took them. We aren't going to stop defending ourselves just because the Italians don't mind terrorists.
(Remember the Achile Laro guys? Instead of carting them off to a real prison, we handed them over to the Italians. Two of them were paroled after serving *six* years in jail. The other was let out for the weekend and fled the country.)
But I do like the idea of turning back the Air France jets. It would be a good first step.
17: So you don't think legally binding treaties should be respected or followed? You apparently think that the law should be followed only when it is in our interests to do so.
This situation sucks. I don't argue that. But to call for breaking treaties or turning back French passenger airlines--really, do you want that?--are nothing more than emotional expressions from immature people. And to compare this guy with radical Muslim terrorists is more than a bit of a stretch.
>>emotional expressions from immature people
Oh, this is a winning argument. I guess you expect that I am older than 12? 8? Who you calling immature old man?
Guest #15: I didn't think that Michael P. Fay was from Singapore. His last name was a give away.
And yeah, he was caned. But lots of US officials argued for clemency on his behalf, including Senators.
Nice try taking my words out of context though.
I know. Why don't we just decide that everybody everywhere has a right to ignore everybody else's law. That way, we can do whatever the hell we want.
Hell, no Frenchie's gonna stop me from openin' a can of whoopass.
I haven't heard of a French murderer landing in the US, then not being extradited because we didn't approve of the *lenient* sentence he could expect at home. We would probably respect their (foolish) ways and send him back home.
We'd never respect anyone's "ways" if they didn't correspond with our own self interest to the point of harboring and enabling terrorists. Google: "Luis Posada" and learn just how wrong your statement is.
I think there is more to this than the death penalty. Dr. Cornbleet's son was instrumental in getting this scum and it would be wrong if he and his family could not be there for the trial or understand. It is so obvious that Hans is just using his French blood of his mother to his advantage as he never even lived in France or even speaks the language. I agree with whoever said you commit whatever crime you want here and then go back to your country to escape the US justice system. That is wrong. Hans Peterson needs to come back to the United States where the crime occured.
I love Dr. Cornbleet's son. He is the true hero in this. I just can not believe he nails this guy cold and the scum pulls this French card bull shit.