@Jack Thompson

That's because his arguement was bollocks.

You know, a thought... This is a bit off topic:

If firing a virtual gun can make you a better shooter, then shouldn't swinging a virtual sword make you a better swordsman? By that logic I should be an international weapons master and ready to open my own dojo somewhere... Because you know... I 'trained' on Soul Calibur 3.

Sorry. had to.

Look, this is just another case of piling the blame onto something that couldn't possibly be his fault so he doesn't get in trouble. It's like the new plea of insanity, and its gonna be used just as much.

Keep in mind friends, this is the same guy who you might have seen on TV saying "I did it, and if I could, I'd do it again", so I don't think there's any 'racial bias' or 'Video game Influence' involved here.

He did wrong, and ought to be hanged.

Actually Trowa, the twinkie defense is a real defense. When some people, especially diabetics, don't have enough sugar, experience an influx of sugar, or have too much, it affects their thinking.

As much as I'd love to debunk the Twinkie Defense, I can't.

@Austin

The Twinklie Defense needs the twinkie and other junk food to be eaten, so what you said can never be called the Twinkle Defense.

http://www.snopes.com/legal/twinkie.asp(Snopes)

Wow "It" made me do it" is still used?
Humans.... how childish!

Yes, Jack Thompson is in favor of Murderers going free. What can we expect from the slime of the earth.

I believe this will get thrown out again as there are still no studies supporting this plea.

Afro Samurai...

Created by the one and only Takashi Okazaki, Afro Samurai has been destined for greatest ever since its conception. Starring one of the worlds most renowned actors, Samuel L. Jackson is the voice of the Afro Samurai. Produced by GONZO, which is a...

It would almost be worth them hearing the testimony just so that precident can be set and we don't have to hear this bull**** defense ever again.

I HATE everyone's need to justify their actions. Especially when they do something wrong. I'm guilty of it, too, but I'm consciously trying to do that less.

Even IF (and that's a big if) video games influenced his actions, that does not excuse him. That is no "get out of jail free" card, in my opinion. That would merely explain what influenced his actions, but he would still be guilty and solely responsible for HIS OWN ACTIONS. No one and nothing else should share the blame that lies on his shoulders. This is his burden to bare. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, this is an explanation, not an excuse.

I'd also like to call BS on the jury claim. I can't help but think that his innocence would be apparent to a 'white jury' just as much as a 'black jury' or a 'mixed jury'. Yes, there are still racists out there, but isn't one of the jobs of the lawyers to remove those people from the jury pool? And don't forget that the Defense attorney can also remove potential jurors.

All in all, I hope this gets shot down like a duck in Duck Hunt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_defense

the defense rests. :P

"At trial, his attorney tried to argue that post-traumatic stress disorder from severe childhood abuse and repeated playing of “Grand Theft Auto” caused him to disassociate from reality when stressed.

“You act out without thinking,” Setzer said. “In an automatic state you revert to behavior … and it was critical the jury hear this testimony.”

While this "may" be true I use the words "may be" because I never heard of someone reverting to the behavior of jumping on heads and eating mushrooms when stressed.

For this excuse to even be plausable, he would have to do nothing but play GTA for lengthy periods of time. Something you see once is not an automatic response to stress.

And what "stress" makes you kill a policeman?

One pulled me over a week ago, said I was going three miles over the speed limit. I certainly didn't shoot him for that, although it made me miss the movie I was going to.

@tallimar
There's a wiki entry for that? Wahah! Take that Jack "I've got my own wikipedia entry" Thompson.

@ Austin Lewis

Let me get this straight. You got pulled over for going three miles over the speed limit? I knew that my state passed a law that said police could pull you over for going three miles an hour over the speed limit (State Patrol can do it at one mile over), but never actually heard of them doing it. Wait. Was it near the end of the month? They tend to get desperate to hit their quota, err.. I mean 'Production' around that time.

You're right, though. No minor stress makes you resort to killing people. Maybe if they were trying to kill him, he'd have a case, but I doubt that since he killed three of them, one of which was a dispatcher. Even trained soldiers don't resort to killing people at minor stress. The closest they come to that is taking evasive action when a car backfires (hence why the military tells you not to drive after returning from duty until you've been debriefed properly).

Games do not train you to kill people, fight or even fire a gun. Let me play a game like Halo or Warhawk and I'll bravely face-off against tanks or armed soldiers, but throw a gun in my face and I'll hand over my wallet. I wouldn’t know a M-16 from an AK-47 and doubt I have any accuracy with an actual firearm. Probably the only gun I could actually use is a handgun, and even that would be bereft of any skill. To even suggest that a video game could of caused his action distracts from the real problems that shaped him. Let’s start with his broken home and work from there.

All this sounds like is a desperate criminal grasping at anything he can to avoid punishment. This guy knows damn well what he did. He can throw out any excuse he wants, but he's the one who ultimately pulled the trigger. Plenty of other people have had traumatic child hoods or suffered from stress disorders. But they still took responsibility for their actions. As far as I'm concerned this isn't about "video games made me do it". This is about a killer trying everything he can to avoid his due punishment. And a certain someone at the same time trying to use this desperate killer to further his own agenda and (seemingly) personal vendetta against a video game publisher.

I figured the case was over and done with by now.

From the argument he made (Stress and GTA), it made it sound like after the "abuse" his father gave him, he'd go play GTA to make it all go away.

It's sad to see that the "Games made me do it" defense still being used. IF anything, I'd blame Clue or Risk, because those games made killing other people fun before video games.

Umm...somebody let me know if I'm just missing something, please, but I don't see how even proving (which isn't possible because there's zero evidence) that GTAIII somehow contributed to the killings, let alone caused them, would help mitigate his guilt.

I mean, if he was killing cops in the game, that was a personal choice--one for which the game would have actually punished him--and the controller and 3rd person view wouldn't have come near the real thing to push him over the edge. Besides which, it's not like the game was with him at the time of the murderers or even like he killed in a manner culled form the game.

Even if somehow the video game were held culpable, then he's still guilty of the same crime he's already been convicted of, because the game didn't make or even ask (I think the latter was true) him to kill cops. So if he DID do a lot of cop-killing in the game and the faulty premise that playing the game "conditioned" him to kill real cops were true, then he chose to kill cops in the game and willingly gave himself that conditioning.

If he equated the game or killing cops in it with real life, then THAT would mean he intentionally practised killing cops in the game (not because it would help him kill them in real life but because he wanted kill them). So, in and out of the game, without pressure to do so he decided to commit murder and remains fully accountable for his choices and actions.

That's best case scenario for that murderer; since there's no way the game could have MADE him do anything, and he was quite cold-blooded, he's unlikely to get the insanity plea. Without which, the "video games made him do it" angle isn't even remotely plausible.

However, if he were found to be crazy at the time of the murders, that would still exonerate video games because there's no way of singling out what pushed him over the edge, and without the video games he still would have been deranged enough to commit those heinous murders.

It just seems odd to me that his lawyer wouldn't have bothered to check into the game he's claiming warped his client, because the simplest amount of research would have revealed that those who killed cops in GTAIII chose to do so and to accept the punishment for that, therefore were not in any way compelled to kill cops in the game. And if the game didn't make him kill the virtual cops, there's no way it could have made him kill the real ones.

Can I throw the switch on the electric chair? For JT, but i'll settle for this guy.

@KenshinSlayer

Alabama did one better. He's on death row!

@Gameboy

I was actually driving to my Pub from the Fort where I am stationed. I was speeding a little, and so the cop came up and turned on his lights (yes, it was the end of the month; the 29th, to be exact)

He saw my uniform and saw the patches, and just said "well sir, you need to be a little more careful driving here; there's a playground nearby, and sometimes kids are here", to which I responded "well, I'll be sure to exercise more caution."

The thing is, the whole time I had my 1911 on the seat next to me, and not ONCE did it occur to me to use it on him. He asked me if I had any weapons, I pulled the clip out, locked it back, and handed it to him before he could protest about me picking it up.

Having fired over 400 different rifles, assault rifles, pistol, Automatic Rifles, and miscellaneous other weapons (like a Russian pen that fires .22s), and I can tell you WITHOUT A DOUBT that you can't learn how to fire one from a game. You MAY be able to learn about the most basic operation of certain weapons in certain games, but honestly, anyone who picks up an M16 (or any other weapon of M16/AR15 design) and can't operate it with no prior knowledge is retarded; once its in your hand, its easy to figure out.

What no amount of gaming CAN POSSIBLY teach you is the proper way to fire a rifle. The proper amount of pressure with which you pull the trigger. The way that you hold it when you fire. The way that you control your breathing. The way you adjust your sights. You can't learn that save by real experience.

And I would argue that point with Jack Thompson any day of the week.

Oh and by the way Jack; The USARMY doesn't really use videogames to train. We have MOUT, which is like an expensive lasertag. We have simulations, which are expensive to operate and maintain. But we don't use games.

Afterthought: Since when is there a Pub in the States? Pub is a British word. In America they're called Bars. Where did you say you were from again?

The "why" of why he did it is a moot point. The fact remains that he did it, thats all there is to say. So fire up the electric chair, and get ready for a criminal-bbq.

@ Austin Lewis

While it maybe true that upon getting my hands on the actual weapon, I'd be able to fire it (out it that way, turn off the safety and pull the trigger, right?), I'd be totally lacking in experience or knowledge of the subtleties. It's like claiming a person can sword fight after watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or playing Heavenly Sword. Sure, they can swing it, but can they account for the weight, parry, or strike vital points?

And I called it! I knew you got pulled over late in the month. Did you know that the police have to give so many ticket (one book) each month? I'd bet that the officer that pulled you over was running behind.

Amazing how quick people are to gloss over the "severe childhood abuse" part and go right to, "Grand Theft Auto made him do it!"

jaded, only Jack's the one willing to make that jump. And the fact that he's asking for $600 million in damages in the case (of which he'd be entitled to an eight-digit share) is ample proof of his motivations. This way, he can convince himself that he's a righteous man instead of a liar who seeks to enrich himself from the tragedies of others.

Jack Thompson loves cop kills, he loves them with a passion because then he can say they learned it on Grand Theft Auto which he falsely calls a "Cop Killer simulator" despite it never actually forcing you to kill any.

@Rob

Remember Pulaski in San Andreas? Granted, he attacked you, but you still had to kill him.

@Austin Lewis

I see. You ever had the privelige of an AN-94? Lovely weapon. Almost no Recoil.. It's a beast to clean and keep combat worthy though.

OK - I have no idea how me censoring my own cursing somehow turned into a link - please don't click on that. Whomever moderates these forums, please/delete/alter. I totally didn't see that coming.

Well i've fired three diffrent types of M16s.

I fired a real one, an airsoft one, and a virtual one.

The vitual one is easy to fire. Heck, i can even 'snipe' with it, esspecially since i have a handy lil cross hair in the center of my view.

The airsoft one is a bit harder, but not by much. The pellets come out in an arc and are slow enough i can see them fly out the gun. It is a bit closer to the real thing then a vitural m16.


Now a real one.. thats much diffrent. First is the lack of crosshairs. Almost all video games have cross hairs, but EVERY real m16 lacks these. (if anyone finds an m16 with crosshairs like in video games tell me.)

Oh not to mention there is the whole weight thing, controlled breathing, recoil ect ect ect.

No matter how much i fire video games guns, i cant ever score 100% accuraccy. Even with an airsoft gun that fires round pellets compaired to the 5.56 rifle rounds still doesnt help at all either.

Yes, I have fired the AN-94, and though its good for a Russian weapon, its not among my favorite firearms.

@Austin Lewis

We've gone so far off topic i'm probably in Dennis's sights now. Just one last question for today; Where was your last tour of duty?

@Mortium

Some of us aren't Americans. What the hell are you talking about in the last paragraph?

@Austin Lewis

I've been there *ahem*.

Again, what the hell does 54 F.R.D. 282 mean?

@Twin-Skies

Did you bugger something up there? And they're called Rifle Lasers.

as for "54 F.R.D. 282" just google it. if you are ever confused as to what something is in reference to, just remember that the Internet is God and Google is His prophet. come on, people! It's a wacky court case.

I'll just copypasta this from http://www.re-quest.net/g2g/humor/cases/

54 F.R.D. 282 (W.D. Penn. 1971)

A Real Devil of a Litigant. Plaintiff filed suit against Satan and his staff for violation of his civil rights. Among the allegations were: (1) that Satan had on numerous occasions caused him misery and unwarranted threats, all against his will; (2) that Satan had placed deliberate obstacles in his path that caused Plaintiff's downfall; and (3) that by reason of the foregoing acts, Satan had deprived him of his constitutional rights.

The court noted that, "Even if plaintiff's complaint reveals a prima facie recital of the infringement of the civil rights of a citizen of the United States, the Court has serious doubts that the complaint reveals a cause of action upon which relief can be granted by the court."

The court went on about its concerns and further noted, "We question whether plaintiff may obtain personal jurisdiction over the defendant in this judicial district .... the plaintiff has failed to include with his complaint the required form of instructions for the United States Marshal for directions as to service of process."

Case dismissed as frivolous.
/offtopic

Nah, the laser be not cross hairs. It be a laser ye land lubbers. Think a bit on crosshairs, they only place they be rally existin be in a scope. Though that still be sights. They aint no crosshairs like in veedeoo gaymes.

Moore: "Video games made me do it!"

Judge: "Okay, and who played the video games?"

Moore: "......I did."

Judge: "Finally admitting your own guilt?"

GTA: Vice City made him do it? Then they should give him life in prison and then make him play 50 cent bullet proof that game. That alone will make him beg for the death penalty.

Anyone else notice that Jack Thompson isnt adding "Lawyer" with the other line "AND YOUR NOT" to his name any more?

I wonder if thats hint to something? Hmm I wonder. Maybe he had a premonition of things to come?

Ha if video games made me do it, Man I got this strange feeling to jump on people and throw turtle shells. Hell my favorite activity is try hit people in the face while play tennis.

It aint my fault video games made me do it. I mean I like pretend sticks are swords and well if I didnt play Zelda then it wouldnt be doing it.

Hey if video games are murder simulators? then the flight simulators mean I can go and jump on a plane and fly it with no problem then? I could have been a driver in Nascar when I was 12.

Hell those murder simulators must have taught me how shoot a rocket launcher. Hell man I must a damn good sniper, I bet I could shot an apple off Jack Thompsons Head from 10 miles away with a pistol. Man for get the sniper rifle. Its just getting the cross hairs aligned right?

Man if video games made me do it, I was trying to summon Bahutmut to destroy Dick Chaney. Its taking some time but hes almost here.

Man video games video games made me do so many things. Cuz well I m a mind less idiot that goes spouting off insane ramblings cuz I dont think for myself. I have no concept of free will well then I m not christian so yeah I must be mindless idiot.

Hey heres an idea lets make a game Called Frivolous Lawsuit or has that game already been made? Cuz I know someone that will argue that Video game made him sue people.

@ BadwordUP

I'm actually wanting to make that game, the game play would be a board game style, with nothing other then refrenses of more adult themes. You play as a lawyer and you start off by drawing a goal card. To win the game you must compleat the goal, or bump off other people. To do so, you pick of diffrent cases, easch case gives diffrent bonuses if you can win. Once you pick up case, you choose defense or proscution. Then another player can choose to be your oppisite.


There would be refrenses to a bit more adult theames, but nothing too big. I'm specificly shooting for either a T or at the most M rating. (if i hit M ill push a little harder into the adult stuff, but not go too far) A viral marketing campain would promote those cases and blow them out of perportion. In which case, people would probally try to block ban and argue about the game. Any legerstration that would come down would be used in the game as one of the cases.

@ Picho

Win a case? I didnt think that was possible.

Maybe the goal is not to get humiliated in public.

so then it should be the best way to back out of case without making an ass out of urself.

if thats even possible.

@pincho

really? u can win a case?

Present ur toenail as evidence?

wow

How about present interviews on news networks speaking as the expert, can that be added as evidence?

or having ur own son use ur credit card that u given to him to go adult material?

wow cant wait to try and play that game

@badword UP


Well if i could get it off the ground, why not? The game is about Frivolous Lawsuits, so they got to be crazy and wacky somehow, esspecailly when its really a no-win case.

Problem is being able to both make the politcal statement using the game, AND making a game that is actually fun. Quite possibly will turn into a drinking game.

and im Picho, like the crow. Not a pokemon that pinch's things.

I'll tell you here how i'd think he would react.

"How is it my fault as a parent that Take Lives produces mind altering filth? MY son would never play any games made by a child rapist (not that there is any game out there made by a non-child rapist) So i would have nothing to worry about.

Blah blah blah some other stuff.... HOOHA!"


(okay.. my brain just shut down half way through that.... rebooting)

I prefer this quote, from a game...

"Blame yourself or God."

WTF, did it eat my comment?

@Jay: Final Fantasy Tactics FTW. :D

@Shoehorn: I would also be interested in Jack's answer to your hypothetical situation.

And as far as Moore goes, if he had a history of criminal behaviour before the game was even released, then I don't think the video game defense has a leg to stand on.

@ Johnny

I have seen people eat 'mushrooms' when stressed ;)

Two things:

Concerning the lame excuse about the all-white jury, it's important to point out that racism works both ways. It would have been equally bad to have an all-black jury unfairly rule in Moore's favor.

Second, for a guy who so macho-ishly (is that a word?) uttered his "Everybody's gotta die sometime" quote, he sure is working hard to avoid the 'ol needle. What a f_cking punk.

EDIT: Sorry, it's called an OC-14. I was thinking of SOCOM: US Navy Seals when I posted that.

BlackIce, Leftie
I hadn't thought of the OC-14, Good point.