Hacker seeks lighter sentence because of Asperger's

A man who was part of a huge cybercrime -- the theft of millions of credit-card numbers -- is asking for a reduced sentence because of his Asperger's syndrome, which is a form of autism.

Comments

[Keith G. in P.V.]

What a joke. If he's guilty, lock him up just as if he had a brain.

[FanDanGo]

Ditto. Asperger's is *not* a get out of jail free diagnosis. In fact, WebMD says some symptoms include "attention to detail and focused interests" and these traits are probably quite useful to a hacker.

Oh yeah, according to WebMD:

"Asperger's syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it tends to stabilize over time... Many people with Asperger's seem to be fascinated with technology."

[Searching]

If the disease didn't prevent him from committing the genius crime... then it shouldn't prevent him from serving the time.

[cripjak]

Well said Search.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

I don't care if he has ass-burgers. Right now I bet he'll be serving up lots of ass-burgers to his cell mate. Tough luck buddy. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

[Boogaloo Shrimp]

I don't believe in ass-burgers or autism. They're just feel-good words so that parents can explain away their lazy daydreaming kids (ass-burgers) and retards (autism).

[Pat McPlunger]

Boogaloo-Dont forget the other cop-out disorder, bipolarism.

[You're a Sober Drunk R2D2]

And ADHD... it's a kid.. They get hyper and excited easy, just like a puppy.

Get them spayed or nuetered and make Bob Barker and society happy... Please.

[anon]

If the man has an authentic diagnosis, the judge can take that into account. For those of you who don't know anyone with Aspergers, autism, ADD/ADHD, or bipolar disorder - you shouldn't talk when you don't know what you're talking about.

[You're a Mean Drunk R2D2™]

Anon, I know several people who have had all of those "Conditions". And well, it's a bunk diagnosis. Some people lack social skills, I just call them a-hats and basement dwellers.

[anon]

You should volunteer in a special ed classroom, and then you'd know better than to talk s**t about something you don't understand. You may "know several people," but you sure don't understand them.