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UK: Tony Martin refused leave âbecause of risk to burglarsâ
Edited for brevity.Tony Martin, the farmer who killed a criminal who broke into his house, has been denied a preparatory home visit before his release on parole next week because he is considered to be a "danger to burglars". This is a bad thing? In a meeting last week with the wing governor at his prison and Annette Stewart, his probation officer, Martin was told that he had been refused a trial three-day home release because the authorities felt that he might reoffend even during that short space of time. "Reoffend" = "Have the audacity to defend himself from violent attack" It is normal practice for prisoners awaiting release to be given a few days outside to introduce them gradually to the prospect of regaining their liberty. It had been thought that Martin had previously not been given the home visit because of fears over the security of his property. Concerns have been raised about Martinâs safety after his life was threatened by friends of the teenager he killed. Ms Stewart has previously written a report on Martin which was submitted to the Parole Board before its ruling in January. In it she said that Martinâs support base in the country had made him more likely to reoffend. "This is a case which has attracted immense and ongoing media attention and public interest," she wrote. "I believe this has had an impact on Mr Martinâs own perceptions of his behaviour and his right to inflict punishment on those whom he perceives to be a threat to his own security. Indeed this may have contributed to his justification of the offending. This encapsulation of his views has served to disallow any rational contemplation by Mr Martin of his crimes and he does not express any remorse for the death of one so young." If youâre being viciously attacked by someone younger than you, you should just laugh it off as youthful hijinks. Martin was convicted of murdering Barras, 16, and wounding his accomplice, Brendan Fearon, 33, during a burglary at the farmerâs home in Emneth Hungate, Norfolk, in August 1999. This was reduced on appeal to manslaughter. He became eligible for early release last autumn, at the discretion of the Parole Board, after having served half of his sentence. There is a Support Tony Martin website to free him, but Iâd also like to see him free, if he wishes, to emigrate to the US where his right to self-defense will be recognized and respected. Posted by: Dar 2003-07-22 |
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