This Victoria Cross recipient has been found guilty of horrific crimes that has stained the reputation of our SAS. And the man and media mogul who has bank rolled his defence has also put the spotlight on himself and his personal judgement.
What is fascinating about this is it’s turned into 9 versus 7 networks and the responses to this decision between 7west and any other media is night and day. The West has gone to a lot of trouble to cast doubts on the Federal Court judge and tried hard to play down the findings while WA Today (9 network) have not held anything back. Basically you need to read any other media other than Seven West to get an honest coverage.
Now it comes down to whether Stokes wants to bankroll an appeal for his golden boy who he said “the findings dont accord with the man I know”. Well Kezza your opinion doesn’t accord with the judges findings and several SAS soldiers who gave evidence.
Meanwhile BRS chose not to front up and was enjoying a holiday in Bali. Surely now what comes next is criminal charges that could land him a lengthy stint in jail. The whole world will be watching this. And the US are reviewing their relationship and funding with the Australian Defence Force in light of these findings
Apparently the decision will be appealed from what was reported yesterday. I find it odd Robert Smith being in court every day during proceedings, then on the final day does not show! Apparently flew to Bali for some sunbaking on the day the judge hands down the courts verdict.
Can you believe this? BRS has resigned from his position as… wait for it, GM of the Seven Network in Queensland. ?
Talk about jobs for the boy. Who would want to work under that prick let alone someone with zero media qualifications and experience? Stokes credibility as an owner of Australia’s biggest media network must surely be brought into question.
DD, while I won’t comment on the trial or the outcome, i think the old phrase “Until you have walked a mile in a man’s shoes” is important for everyone to consider here.
Even if you have been in the confines of War, you will never fully understand what happens in each situation.
I understand rules and the Geneva convention, but i would never challenge the actions of a service man or women unless i was there to witness everything and could make my own decisions.
I think this will go on for a while, and I reckon if the US are considering their relationship with us its only because they don’t want their vets caught up in this kind of accusation.
I took all that into account PH but he’s had his own turn on him in evidence and the way he’s tried to cover his tracks and bully others including his then wife and mistress including assaulting the latter. Speaks of a man who thinks he’s invincible.
No doubt he earned his VC with a courageous act but that doesn’t forgive killing innocent people. We aren’t talking about collateral damage which is an unfortunate casualty of war, these are isolated incidents when he was not under attack and had these men captured and unarmed.
The best he can hope for going forward is to admit these crimes, show he is contrite and use PTSD as his defence. But he probably has too much ego to do that. A very courageous man no doubt but one who has committed cowardly acts or at best committed serious lack of judgement.
DD just to pull you up on one point, while the defam cases against the papers were thrown out, the accusations of alleged assault were not supported by the judge. So if you accept that the war stuff has been “proven” then the alleged assaults are unproven.
I’m pretty sure the judge said it was likely he did assault his mistress SS. Like the judge said the Claremont serial killer is likely responsible for the murder of Sarah Spiers.