Turkish would-be pope killer released

[MADem]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/turkish-wouldbe-pope-killer-released/2006/01/12/1136956292557.html

The Turkish gunman who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 left prison a free man today after serving more than 25 years behind bars in Italy and Turkey for the plot against the pontiff and the slaying of a Turkish journalist.

To the cheers of nationalist supporters, a white sedan whisked Mehmet Ali Agca - whose attempt to assassinate the pope gained notoriety for himself and shame for his homeland - through the gates of the high-security Kartal Prison as dozens of police officers stood guard.

Agca, 48, wearing a bright blue sweater and jeans, was freed five years after he was pardoned by Italy and extradited to Turkey. He had served 20 years in prison in Italy.

,,,,Agca's lawyer, Mustafa Demirbag, acknowledged the emotions surrounding the release of the man who became the world's most infamous Turk, saying today: "This is a decision by an independent Turkish court. I invite everyone to respect this decision."
....

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. I didn't know the mfer had killed a journalist?

So the guy is a known assassin and they set him free? There are pot smokers who serve longer terms, give me a break. And he's got 'supporters'?

[acmavm]

2. Guy who sold pot three times when he was 22 just got his sentence of

55 years affirmed by some appellate court somewhere the other day.

But this guy does 20 and he's free and being cheered by his 'supporters'.

Whatever.

[badgervan]

3. His "Future"...

This dude now has the life expectancy of a fruit fly.

[Hamiltonian]

9. His "Future"...

I believe he will be under some level of supervision. From what I understand, he is still mentally unbalanced.

[MADem]

4. Turkey has madatory sentencing--mandatory MAXIMUM sentences

Thirty six years and you walk, in essence.

[daleo]

5. American Would-be Reagan Killer Released

I don't recall seeing that when Hinkley was given weekends off. Of course, he was a friend of the Bush family, so the media has to talk softly.

[MADem]

6. Well, if you can grab the tin foil and fashion yerself a hat

...some would say that was a sop to the senior Bushes--was not Poppy having lunch with a Hinckley when that schmuck was trying to kill Big Ron?

I will say, it does seem odd. If it were me, and I do not care if the president is a Democrat, Republican or WHATEVER--Ross Perot or Ralph Nader morphed into one---if some sumbitch tries to kill the pretzeldunce, even an AWFUL one, they need to do some serious time. Like LIFE. It may not have to be HARD LIFE, the old "OZ times ten"-- especially if they are totally Koo-koo (pardon the expression, I am clearly not a psychologist or psychiatrist) but I do feel they need to be removed from the rest of society--not sent home on country holidays....

[daleo]

7. Indeed, another one of those odd Bush coincidences

Paraphrasing Bob Dylan (Idiot Wind): "they can't help it if they're lucky".

[meow2u3]

8. Pope JP2 already forgave him

Yes, he did pay his debt to society.

[Hamiltonian]

10. Pope JP2 already forgave him

The Pope's forgiveness has nothing to do with society's debts. The Pope never asked for his release.

[Posteritatis]

11. 25 years constitutes a paid debt, IMO. (n/t)

[MADem]

12. For which crime, though? Trying to off the Pope, or murdering the

journalist? Or both?

I think 25 years for killing someone is a light sentence. But that's just me, I guess.