Summary

Footage Information

ABCNEWS VideoSource
UK Hacker - Bail for Briton accused of hacking US military computers
06/08/2005
APTN
VSAP452574
NAME: UK HACKER 080605N TAPE: EF05/0506 IN_TIME: 10:55:57:12 DURATION: 00:01:37:16 SOURCES: AP PHOTOS/ SKY DATELINE: London - 8 June 2005/File RESTRICTIONS: See Script SHOTLIST SKY - No Access UK/CNNi/ Ireland/Internet 1. Various of man working on computer 2. Various computer screen with various US military web sites on it 3. Various of computer graphics showing number of sites allegedly hacked by Gary McKinnon AP STILLS - NO ACCESS CANADA/INTERNET 4. Gary McKinnon seen through a vehicle window as he is driven away from Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London SKY - No Access UK/CNNi/ Ireland/Internet 5. Various of McKinnon's legal team outside court 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Karen Todner, solicitor "If Mr McKinnon had been charged in England and faced trial before a British jury, and even if he was convicted, his sentence would probably be finished by now and he would be released and the matter would be concluded. As it is, he still has this hanging over him and the extradition proceedings and the possibility of a trial in America. " 7. More of the man using computer 8. Exterior of Bow Street Magistrates' Court STORYLINE A Briton wanted in the United States for what US authorities call the largest successful hacking effort against American military networks in history was freed on bail on Wednesday following a court appearance in London. The court heard allegations that Gary McKinnon, 39, illegally accessed 97 US government computers between February 2001 and March 2002, causing a total of 700-thousand US dollars in damages. A representative for the US government told Bow Street Magistrates' Court that McKinnon had installed unauthorised software on computers in the US army, navy, NASA, the Department of Defence and air force that permitted him to "completely control the computers". McKinnon's solicitor confirmed a published report he had been motivated by a desire to expose the ease with which a civilian could breach government computer systems and by a strong conviction that the US government was concealing evidence of UFOs. Police arrested the former computer engineer, known online as "Solo", at his home in Wood Green, north London, late on Tuesday under an extradition warrant. District Judge Christopher Pratt set several conditions for bail, including that McKinnon be barred from applying for any travel documents and from using any computer equipment that gives access to the Internet. He set bail at 92-hundred dollars after McKinnon's defence team successfully asked the judge to lower the original bail of 18-thousand and 350 dollars to a more "modest" sum. The Crown Prosecution Service, the British prosecuting agency, said it had concluded that although Britain had jurisdiction, it was impractical for them to prosecute the case against McKinnon. The agency said they decided it was more logical for the US to pursue McKinnon's case as the offences were committed in the United States and the evidence and witnesses needed to prosecute were all in the United States. Lawyers for McKinnon, who was first arrested in the case three years ago, said their client would vigorously resist extradition.
Summary
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