Posted on 10/05/2019 4:59:46 PM PDT by BenLurkin
FULL HEADLINE: "'This is disgraceful, no way for a so-called ally to behave': Outrage on BOTH sides of the Atlantic as America REFUSES to waive diplomatic immunity for diplomat's wife who has fled back to the States after 'killing British teen in wrong-way crash'"
In a statement on Saturday, Northamptonshire Police confirmed that the 42-year-old American woman suspected in the August 27 death of Harry Dunn, 19, has returned to the U.S.
Police said the woman had previously informed them that she had no plans to leave the UK. Neither the name of the woman nor her U.S. diplomat spouse has been released.
Superintendent Sarah Johnson with Northamptonshire police said that investigators met with the suspect on the day after the crash in the presence of legal advisors.
'During the course of that meeting we were aware that diplomatic immunity had been raised as an issue, we then made immediate application for a waiver in order for us to undertake further investigations and interview,' Johnson told NBC News in an email.
Harry, of Charlton, Banbury, died after his motorbike collided with a car near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
The RAF base is one of the most important bases run by America in Europe.
It was reported in initial findings by police that Harry had been driving on the correct side of the road when a woman in a car pulled off of the airbase on to the wrong side of the carriageway.
The car hit Harry head-on and he died soon after in hospital after suffering multiple injuries.
The teenager's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, are now demanding that the suspect return to the UK to face justice, saying they've been 'totally deprived of the ability to grieve'.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Are US military stationed overseas required to go off base?
If they are not required to, then they are no different than a tourist when they do.
A horrible story. I wonder how many of the “wrong-way” accidents occurring in countries that drive on the opposite side of the road from most of the world are caused by drivers (or pedestrians) who are visiting?
I would bet quite a few. We visited London last Summer - where they have big signs on the ground of the crosswalks telling you from what side the traffic is coming from. I still had to catch myself a few times. Its confusing as heck when there is a bunch of lanes coming together. I would not get behind the wheel of a car in the UK or in Australia for this reason for ANY amount of money.
Stupid bitch. She ought to be returned to the UK to face the music.
The purpose of diplomatic immunity is to allow foreign governments to conduct State business abroad without fear of arbitrary use of the host’s criminal justice powers. Of course it has been abused.
I am surprised we don’t already have a custom or policy allowing this type of incident to be handled under local law. It should be...especially in the UK. I just don’t see the risk of cruel or unusual punishment or any foreign policy issue.
In this case, to allow a total pass because of a misapplied convention is not just.
Send that female canine back to John Bull!@
But if she was drunk that's a different story.
Of course the kid's family deserves money but criminal prosecution may not be the best answer...assuming she wasn't drunk.
Does kind of make it their fault. Wikipedia gives some French guy credit for inventing the car. But we mass produced it. The world should follow our rules.
Screw the Limeys, Tell ‘em they can put Christopher Steele in the can in her place, because they’re such a “good” ally.
Countries do sometimes waive immunity. A couple of years ago in the US, a diplomat from the country of Georgia was driving drunk and killed someone. Georgia waived immunity and the diplomat was tried and convicted here. In the UK, Colombia waived diplomatic immunity for their diplomat accused of manslaughter (2002).
They drive the wrong way, how can she be responsible for that? It is very complicated and interferes with updating her Faceborq status.
It’s a necessary evil for running spooks internationally.
One of the little known aspects of the war.
Iran did not honor those traditions when they took our Embassy in 1979.
Iran took our people hostage. That should have resulted in a war, just as soon as we were ready for it.
Indeed. Good point. I had forgotten about that and “Surprise” it did not come up in my Google search of “violations of diplomatic immunity’.
I have driven 5000 km in the UK and South Africa without a problem.
Although the first time I did it I was 24 years old and I rented a car in Sloane Square and had to drive out of Central London.
That was hard.
But I never killed anybody. The fact that the steering wheel is on the other side should at least give you a clue.
Being a former diplomat, that would be a big mistake. There needs to be reform as to immunities, but getting rid of it would destroy the diplomatic corps as less scrupulous countries would leverage no immunity into black mail.
As a taxpayer, I would object. She should be named and forced to pay for the consequences of her actions, financially at the very least.
how servicemembers fare under host country’s legal systems is really complicated and depends on the status of forces agreement we have with that country. that’s how that sargeant in romania got away with killing a famous pop star in the 2000s w/only a reprimand under the UCMJ.
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