No retribution was extracted, however, and the perp is now free. Why haven't we even asked for extradition? Why do we not extract a heavy price for killing our fellow American?
Posted on 12/20/2005 8:25:37 AM PST by TopQuark
some "life sentence"...
I was sitting in a gasthaus in Koblenz some years ago drinking a beer in celebration of convicting an American for spying against the U.S., Germany, and NATO. He got a life sentence. The wind was taken out of our sails when the German prosecutor stopped by and told us that life in Germany meant 19 years - then they were free to do as they pleased. Fortunately, this traitor died in prison three years later.
Does that mean 19 years is maximum sentance someone can receive in Germany?
John Testrake died of cancer in 1996. He ran for Congress as a Republican in 1992.
Thanks. I didn't think that it had been that long ago.
That's my understanding. The spy that I refer to was named Clyde Conrad. At the time of sentencing, he received the harshest sentence for espionage in the history of the Federal Republic. 19 years and you're issued a get out of jail free card - no matter what.
Why was he in jail in Germany? As far as I know, the flight never went to Germany. It started in Athens, ended up in Beirut, but made one or more trips to Algers.
After protecting them from the Warsaw Pact for all those
years.
Thanks Germany. We won't forget.
Mike
Perhaps "Life Sentence" should be redefined and be titled "Possible Life Sentence".
At least then the terminology would make sense.
This could not have been a surprise. We had to know this guy was possibly going to be released.
We should have forced down the plane he was in as soon as it left German airspace and arrested this guy for murder.
Well, killers are usually released after 15-20 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty in years is 15 years. Then the court may convict to lifetime, for murder. And if the criminal was very brutally and evil (= not only brutally and evil, but very very very evil) some inmates will never walk out. But that´s an very seldom, because our Constitutional Court ruled that Art. 1 (the dignity of man is untouchable) also applies to prisoners and therefore they must have a chance to get out after some time. So, this case is no intended slap into the face of America, it´s just the normal procedure in Germany. Sad, but true.
Probably because the criminal was arrested there. Extradition wasn´t possible, because Europe doesn´t extradite to countries when the accused can face the death penalty. In some more recent cases, Europe has extradited killers to the US, but then the States guarantee that the criminal won´t face the death penalty. = Kill someone, fly to Europe, and you won´t be fried for your crimes.
Do it NOW!!
No retribution was extracted, however, and the perp is now free. Why haven't we even asked for extradition? Why do we not extract a heavy price for killing our fellow American?
Today, however, we try not to offend the Musulmans; we don't dare to say why the ship was named after Mr. Stethem.
And we are wondering why his murderer is not brought to American justice?
Robert Dean Stethem
SW-2 (Diver), United States Navy
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rdstethe.htm
8 posted on 12/20/2005 9:17:11 AM CST by Coop
Friday November 23, 2001
Ship May Be Deployed to Persian Gulf
SAN DIEGO (AP) - A guided-missile destroyer named for a naval petty officer killed in a 1985 terrorist hijacking may soon assist in the war on terrorism.
The new commanding officer of the USS Stethem said Wednesday the ship may soon depart for the Persian Gulf.
The ship was named after Petty Officer Robert Dean Stethem, who was killed as he was planning to return home from Greece aboard TWA Flight 847. The flight was hijacked to Beirut, Lebanon, and Stethem was shot in the head, his body dumped on the tarmac. The Lebanese hijackers held 39 other people hostage for 17 days, demanding that Israel release several hundred Shiite Muslim prisoners.
Stethem was targeted because he was part of the U.S. military. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. In 1995, the newly commissioned destroyer was named for him.
Stethem's family and friends watched the destroyer's change of command Wednesday, hoping the ship and another named for Marine Corps Lt. Col. William Higgins, kidnapped by terrorists in 1988 and later killed, will play a role in the current military campaign.
"We would like it very much if both the Stethem and the Higgins get to shoot Tomahawks and deliver some justice,'' said Richard Stethem, a retired Navy senior chief petty officer.
The victim's brother said he remembers the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery and can't help but think about the flag-draped coffin.
"Every time I look at the flag now and for the rest of my life,'' said Kenneth Stethem, "the red will represent the blood he spilled, the blue the beating and bruises he endured, and the white the purity and integrity he demonstrated in sacrificing his life.''
Petty Officer Stethem was a victim of the terrorist hijacking of Trans World Airlines Flight 847 on June 14, 1985. He was returning home from an assignment in Nea Makri, Greece, when the terrorists seized and ordered the aircraft to Beirut, Lebanon. Petty Officer Stethem was singled out from the passengers as a U.S. Navy Sailor and killed when terrorist demands were not met. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1985 and the Bronze Star in 1986.
I've read at least a dozen different versions in the last few days, and NONE refer to a current, not 1987, extradition request. I think we dropped the ball on this one. Or maybe we wanted to avoid a political incident. I'd like to think Germany would extradite if we waived the death penalty, but who knows.
We cannot allow Americans to be murdered without hard, justified retribution. This guy needs to die, or spend the rest of his life in prison. Nothing else is acceptable.
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