New Media

Am I crazy, or did a convicted terrorist just walk free for no good reason?

Just a few days ago, we had this story about how criminals could no longer take advantage of a legal loophole to avoid hard-time behind bars:

Criminals convicted in Canada will no longer be able to receive double credit for time served before trial unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson will announce in a news conference on Parliament Hill Tuesday afternoon he is enacting the legislation which eliminates the common practice of two-for-one credit for pre-trial custody…

“It’s going to go a long way to giving people confidence in the justice system,” said Manitoba Justice Minister Andrew Swan.

And today, a man who entered a plea of guilty of involvement in a terrorist plot goes free the same day as a result of the old rules about two-for-one credit:

James, 27, pleaded guilty in Superior Court to one count of participating in a terrorist group, an offence that carries a maximum 10-year jail term. He received seven years plus a day, but with time served taken into account on the customary two-for-one basis, he was to be freed from Maplehurst prison shortly after leaving court.

I’m not a lawyer. Can someone in the know please explain this to me? Seriously.

The Toronto 18 Terror Plot

Found this under the hood of my car.

Oh, wait. It’s just Saad Khalid, one of the Toronto 18 terrorism conspirators. His line reported in the Globe and Mail this week was outstanding:

“I am not a lunatic who is hell bent on destruction of Western civilization.”

Of course you weren’t, Mr. Khalid. Your little group’s alleged targets were much more modest than all of Western civilization:

The group was allegedly preparing for a large-scale terrorist attack in southern Ontario, which included detonating truck bombs at least two locations in Southern Ontario and opening fire in a crowded area. Police alleged they also made plans to storm various buildings such as the Canadian Broadcasting Centre and the Canadian Parliament building, and take hostages. According to one of the suspect’s lawyers, they have been accused of planning to “behead the Prime Minister”, Stephen Harper, and other leaders.

Law enforcement authorities have identified other specific targets, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Parliamentary Buildings’ Peace Tower.

Not a lunatic? Suit yourself.