Gun man overpowered on train

[Zod]

Russwhitehouse said:

Just had a phone conversation with a friend who lives in Nimes. They have been following the story closely on French media. It would appear that SNCF staff on the train high tailed it to the the baggage car and locked themselves in! I hate to quote history but Yanks and Brits doing the business whilst the French hide? Hmmmmmmmm............ring any bells?

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

[Scuffers]

Zod said:

People posting the usual rubbish about criminal defence lawyers.

It is just about the least well-paid area of legal practice.

With the rule of law comes the right to a fair trial. It doesn't matter how obvious the accused's guilt appears to be, he has the right to a trial and to expert representation at that trial.

Imagine finding yourself accused of a heinous crime that everyone believes you committed. You know you didn't, but there is evidence that points to you and nothing to give you an alibi. PH posters are saying you shouldn't have a lawyer. How would you feel?

that's a massive difference between a robust and competent defence and the reality/bullst crap thrown about.

How can you call the defence floated here are credible in any way? it's so poor to the point of counterproductive I would suggest.

[onedsla]

Zod said:

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

A Frenchman from Virginia, USA, as it happens.

[Burwood]

Zod, I don't think anyone is saying that. What we are saying is his lawyer just won a slot on Southpark

Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, it does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! The defense rests.

[0000]

Zod said:

Russwhitehouse said:

Just had a phone conversation with a friend who lives in Nimes. They have been following the story closely on French media. It would appear that SNCF staff on the train high tailed it to the the baggage car and locked themselves in! I hate to quote history but Yanks and Brits doing the business whilst the French hide? Hmmmmmmmm............ring any bells?

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

Sort of. I don't really want to lend too much support to the original point but I believe he's dual French and American nationality, teaches English, born in the USA.

[Zod]

Burwood said:

Zod, I don't think anyone is saying that. What we are saying is his lawyer just won a slot on Southpark

Ladies and gentlemen of this supposed jury, it does not make sense! If Chewbacca lives on Endor, you must acquit! The defense rests.

it is the lawyer's duty to put his client's case, unless he knows it to be false. This guy's case is absurd, but what evidence is there as yet that it is false? Once the Police have clear evidence as to how he got the guns, the lawyer will have to tell his client that he can no longer make this case for him.

[walm]

Scuffers said:

Zod said:

People posting the usual rubbish about criminal defence lawyers.

It is just about the least well-paid area of legal practice.

With the rule of law comes the right to a fair trial. It doesn't matter how obvious the accused's guilt appears to be, he has the right to a trial and to expert representation at that trial.

Imagine finding yourself accused of a heinous crime that everyone believes you committed. You know you didn't, but there is evidence that points to you and nothing to give you an alibi. PH posters are saying you shouldn't have a lawyer. How would you feel?

that's a massive difference between a robust and competent defence and the reality/bullst crap thrown about.

How can you call the defence floated here are credible in any way? it's so poor to the point of counterproductive I would suggest.

It may well be counterproductive (and I hope it is) but sometimes you have crazy defendants who just pick a random story and stick with it.
Then that is all the defence lawyer has to work with.

She can suggest that this story is such obvious BS that it will be counterproductive but if he sticks to his guns (DYSWIDT?) then she simply isn't allowed to put words in his mouth that might be more plausible even if they are the truth!

[walm]

The point is that you have to use what the client gives you, unless you 100% know it is a lie.
Some people just insist that they thought the burglar was taking a dump and stick to that story.
The jury is perfectly entitled to decide it is BS for themselves.

[Russwhitehouse]

0000 said:

Zod said:

Russwhitehouse said:

Just had a phone conversation with a friend who lives in Nimes. They have been following the story closely on French media. It would appear that SNCF staff on the train high tailed it to the the baggage car and locked themselves in! I hate to quote history but Yanks and Brits doing the business whilst the French hide? Hmmmmmmmm............ring any bells?

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

Sort of. I don't really want to lend too much support to the original point but I believe he's dual French and American nationality, teaches English, born in the USA.

So according to the link you so helpfully post, the Frenchman was in fact far from first in line to intervene! Than you for reinforcing my point ( albeit tongue in cheek)

[Zod]

Guam said:

Zod said:

t is the lawyer's duty to put his client's case, unless he knows it to be false. This guy's case is absurd, but what evidence is there as yet that it is false? Once the Police have clear evidence as to how he got the guns, the lawyer will have to tell his client that he can no longer make this case for him.

Whilst I wholly and unreservedly concur with your points about fair trial and competence, no jury in the world would accept you can just stumble across a hoard of Guns and ammo in a public park and think righto I will go rob a high speed train lol

If he sticks with that story they will be rolling around the courtroom in laughter imho!

Of course. I fully expect that he won't.

[No Bend]

0000 said:

Zod said:

Russwhitehouse said:

Just had a phone conversation with a friend who lives in Nimes. They have been following the story closely on French media. It would appear that SNCF staff on the train high tailed it to the the baggage car and locked themselves in! I hate to quote history but Yanks and Brits doing the business whilst the French hide? Hmmmmmmmm............ring any bells?

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

Sort of. I don't really want to lend too much support to the original point but I believe he's dual French and American nationality, teaches English, born in the USA.

That article contradicts itself.

Initially it says, "A 28-year-old French banker, Damien A, finds El-Khazzani with a Kalashnikov over his shoulder, and wrestles with him"

then goes on to mention the yanks. But the sub headline says, "The first heroic passenger to wrestle a weapon from the train gunman was named last night as Frenchman Mark Moogalian"

I guess the first wrestle was more of the WWF type one.

I love this detail, "French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade is lightly wounded when he breaks the glass to sound the alarm"

[Spitfire2]

Zod said:

Russwhitehouse said:

Just had a phone conversation with a friend who lives in Nimes. They have been following the story closely on French media. It would appear that SNCF staff on the train high tailed it to the the baggage car and locked themselves in! I hate to quote history but Yanks and Brits doing the business whilst the French hide? Hmmmmmmmm............ring any bells?

The first person to intervene was a Frenchman.

And the SNCF staff would typically be women/girls serving coffees etc.

[walm]

No Bend said:

I love this detail, "French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade is lightly wounded when he breaks the glass to sound the alarm"

This guy gave a great interview:
French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade told Paris Match, who was traveling with his girlfriend and two children and injured his hand breaking glass to pull the emergency alarm, said passengers were trapped inside with a "terrifying sense of helplessness" and virtually no way out.
"We were waiting for the bodies of death, and we had no choice," Anglade said. "Then a young man, Anthony Sadler, came running into our car, yelling that the shooter was overpowered by American soldiers on leave, everything was fine."
"We were in the wrong place, but with the right people," said Anglade, who required stitches. "We were incredibly lucky to have these American soldiers…without them we'd all be dead."
Anglade said that Thalys train staff barricaded themselves inside a work car after running from the lunatic. As screaming passengers pounded on the door of the work car, "nobody replied," Anglade said.
"Radio silence," Anglade said. "It was terrible and unbearable. It was for us inhuman."

[RYH64E]

I bet those three Americans have done more to enhance their country's reputation, especially in France, than any diplomat in history. Not since the Normandy landings has America had such good press.

[YankeePorker]

No Bend said:

That article contradicts itself.

Initially it says, "A 28-year-old French banker, Damien A, finds El-Khazzani with a Kalashnikov over his shoulder, and wrestles with him"

then goes on to mention the yanks. But the sub headline says, "The first heroic passenger to wrestle a weapon from the train gunman was named last night as Frenchman Mark Moogalian"

I guess the first wrestle was more of the WWF type one.

I love this detail, "French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade is lightly wounded when he breaks the glass to sound the alarm"

Supposedly the anonymous (as requested, to avoid reprisals in France) French banker ended up on the floor, the second French/Yank then waded in, got the Kalashnikov off the gunman who then drew a pistol, shot him in the neck and took his rifle back. The gunman then headed into the train compartment where he was rushed by the 3 yanks while trying to unjam his rifle. The Brit then waded in to help them pin him down. One of the yanks then stuck his fingers in the bullet hole in the chap's neck and stopped the arterial bleeding until help arrived at Arras, saving his life.

All 6 of them will have the Legion d'Honneur medal, deservedly.

[No Bend]

YankeePorker said:

No Bend said:

That article contradicts itself.

Initially it says, "A 28-year-old French banker, Damien A, finds El-Khazzani with a Kalashnikov over his shoulder, and wrestles with him"

then goes on to mention the yanks. But the sub headline says, "The first heroic passenger to wrestle a weapon from the train gunman was named last night as Frenchman Mark Moogalian"

I guess the first wrestle was more of the WWF type one.

I love this detail, "French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade is lightly wounded when he breaks the glass to sound the alarm"

Supposedly the anonymous (as requested, to avoid reprisals in France) French banker ended up on the floor, the second French/Yank then waded in, got the Kalashnikov off the gunman who then drew a pistol, shot him in the neck and took his rifle back. The gunman then headed into the train compartment where he was rushed by the 3 yanks while trying to unjam his rifle. The Brit then waded in to help them pin him down. One of the yanks then stuck his fingers in the bullet hole in the chap's neck and stopped the arterial bleeding until help arrived at Arras, saving his life.

All 6 of them will have the Legion d'Honneur medal, deservedly.

And what about Jean-Hugues??

[YankeePorker]

No Bend said:

And what about Jean-Hugues??

Jean-Hugues involvement seems to have been limited to setting off the alarm signal and lambasting the French crew that ran off and locked themselves in a secure compartment. Have not read that he is also getting the Ld'H, but it is given to so many actors and French "people" that is considered to be largely devalued as an award, so he might get one anyway.

[AMG Merc]

RYH64E said:

I bet those three Americans have done more to enhance their country's reputation, especially in France, than any diplomat in history. Not since the Normandy landings has America had such good press.

Agreed and the lads will have a book and a movie deal soon - and why not

PS - I hope they don't get sent back to the desert - they'll be marked men now.

[dudleybloke]

Dont worry, the Belgians are equipping their cops with paintball guns.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/paintball-guns-given-bel...

[PRTVR]

dudleybloke said:

Dont worry, the Belgians are equipping their cops with paintball guns.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/paintball-guns-given-bel...

Before I read the link, I was thinking that might work...
Hit your terrorist with a red ball then a blue, they will look down and think they don't go together and lay down all their arms.