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Will Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper be released by 2011?

Hubdub users say: No (90% chance )
Combining all predictions, the current most likely outcome is No with a probability of 90% (unchanged in last 1 day)

According to The Sun, the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe is making a legal bid for freedom. The man responsible for the killing and mutilation of 13 women over a 5 year period in the North of England claims his human rights have been breached. He wants to be declared sane, transferred to a normal prison and given a date for his release.

Mad or Bad
There has always been question marks over the nature of Sutcliffe’s incarceration (not the incarceration itself). At his original trial in 1981 , the prosecution were initially willing to accept a manslaughter conviction on the basis of diminished responsibility. Sutcliffe claimed that he had been told by God to kill prostitutes and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. But the trial Judge rejected this and ordered that a trial by jury go ahead. Sutcliffe was convicted of Murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He served the initial three years of his sentence in a conventional prison before again being diagnosed with schizophrenia and was transferred to Broadmoor high security mental hospital.

However, this decision was called into question in 2003 following the publication of Michael Bilton’s book on the Ripper. New revelations on what Sutcliffe was wearing when he committed his crimes indicated a sexual motive; casting huge doubt on his claims that he believed himself under instructions from God. On this basis (and others) Bilton suggested that Sucliffe was faking his illness so that he could enjoy a more comfortable incarceration in a mental hospital. Now that Sutcliffe conveniently believes himself to be cured, Bilton’s theory has been lent further creedance.

Surely Not!
Sutcliffe’s barrister will attempt to use the European Convention of Human Rights to secure his release by 2011 and is confident of a result. Lets hope she is wrong.
 
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Yes
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Activity: H$260
Question suspends in 3 years
All questions are settled by Hubdub according to settlement info provided by the question creator.

Settlement details: As reported by a major mainstream news source.

Suspend date: Sat 31st Dec 2011 3:59pm PST (3 years to go)

Initial likelihoods: Yes: 10%

Action history:

Created Wed 14th May 2:31am PDT by donal[Admin]
All questions are settled by Hubdub according to settlement info provided by the question creator.

Settlement details: As reported by a major mainstream news source.... read all

 
8 weeks ago
andrew predicted No (H$20)
9 weeks ago
No user imagedaydreamer predicted No (H$10)
9 weeks ago
No user imagecheese predicted No (H$20)
9 weeks ago
ryanj[Admin] predicted No (H$100)

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