lieu
February 23, 2011, 5:14pm
21
Was one of the Americans killed a federal employee?
ETA: Didn’t see LSLGuy when I posted. I had the same understanding.
I believe that they could be punished by death under 18 USC 1111
§ 1111. Murder
…
(b) Within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States,
18 USC 7
The term “special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States”, as used in this title, includes:
(1) The high seas
(7) Any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation with respect to an offense by or against a national of the United States.
Personally? Like, he held the door for them?
I feel inlcined to point out that my previous post, which cited 18 USC 1111, was my 1111th post.
Kimstu
February 23, 2011, 6:12pm
25
Morgenstern:
Here’s one for you. I can’t find a cite for this, and I’ve searched, but Rep. Brian Bilbray, was on the local news this morning talking about these pirates. He’s involved because he’s a politician and some relatives of the slain couple are in his district.
He’re something he related that’s rather disturbing. Apparently there’s a growing Somali population in San Diego county. He claims that some of them have been pirates, taken their booty, hopped a freighter and came to the west where they have sought sanctuary. Previously, they were required to remain in Mexico while their cases were processed, but Obama has allowed them to come into this country with pending cases.
Only in America.
Um, don’t get too upset just yet. This Bilbray guy may not be an entirely reliable source when it comes to distinguishing between genuine security threats and alarmist rumors about East African asylum seekers:
[COALITION DEBUNKS MYTHS ABOUT EAST AFRICAN ASYLUM SEEKERS
ACLU Sends Letter to Rep. Bilbray to Present Realities, not Rumors, at Hearings](http://www.aclusandiego.org/news_item.php?article_id=001066 )
A coalition of community organizations, including the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, has signed a letter to debunk willful misconceptions that Congressman Brian Bilbray is using to call for congressional hearings on the perceived national security threat posed by East African asylum seekers. Rep. Bilbray’s call for hearings are based on recent news reports that failed to accurately present the situation of Somali asylum seekers who come to America for refuge from terrorism and war in their home country.
Our asylum system’s exacting set of measures, including extensive background checks, legal proceedings and one-on-one screenings are already effective in stopping the infiltration of those who might wish to harm us. The coalition’s letter argues that since 9/11, the exceptionally broad interpretation of ‘terrorism” often results in detention or deportation rather than the protection that victims of terrorism and oppression deserve from the United States.
“The asylum system is probably one of the worst ways to infiltrate the United States, given that Congress and the Department of Homeland Security have set up intricate procedures to prevent national security threats from obtaining asylum,” said Sean Riordan, ACLU staff attorney. “It is already incredibly difficult for legitimate asylum seekers to obtain refuge here in the United States and we should be wary of politically-charged calls to make the system more restrictive.”
So they get to kill four American citizens, and then the tax payers feed them for the rest of their natural lives? That doesn’t seem right, for some reason.
Off with their heads!
pravnik
February 24, 2011, 1:10am
27
LSLGuy:
As I understand the event, 4 US citizen yachtsmen (all retired, and none from the federal government) were sailing near Somalia and were boarded & hijacked by pirates. Subsequently they were killed by the pirates. A US force which was shadowing the hijacked yacht then boarded it, killed several pirates, and took the rest prisoner.
The law you cite says it applies to federal employees including military killed while at work. AFAIK, there were no such people in this incident.
Sorry, I hadn’t yet seen the news story and took the OP’s title perhaps too literally. I understood “pirates who murdered the four American sailors” to refer to four uniformed servicemen of the U.S. Navy.
I am sorry I insulted **Karl **Gauss . While I still feel his question was poorly phrased, my response was pointless, cruel and unnecessary.
Actually, probably Commando Pro and Marathon Runner.
I’m so, so sorry.
It’s a very interesting case, especially with the man who was condemned to 34 years in prison. At that point, he’s lived longer in the US than anywhere else. Norway currently has a similiar case with Tjostolv Moland and Joshua French, who’ve been convicted of murder in Congo, which carries a death sentence. Norway is, I believe, trying to get them extradited to serve their prison terms in Norway, since they wouldn’t survive in Congolese prisons even if their death penalties were commuted to life sentences.
Seconded. They would probably get better care, housing and food than in their home countries.
Diceman
February 24, 2011, 12:57pm
31
We should go back to the days when pirates were hung from the nearest yardarm. They keep attacking ships because they usually get away with it.
I’m starting to get the feeling that no one has actually read my post…
I sure did . . . and found it very informative, thanks!
Notandi
February 24, 2011, 1:28pm
34
The Russians let the ones they caught go… in high seas… in a liferaft… without food and water.
All perished.
lieu
February 24, 2011, 2:18pm
35
I hadn’t heard that but it would appear you’re exactly right.