Neglect is neglect.. Video games or no...

I knew a 'parent' once, who would sit on her bed all day, smoking pot and watching movie after movie...

None of her kids died, but they are messed up to say the least..

So ban movies too plz Jack.

@jt, a: I wonder how many terrible crimes can be laid at the feet of attorneys? Probably a lot more than against people who play video games. Just food for thought.

It would have to be chat related. Hopefully they don't uncover a baby murder simulator. I mean, if there was such a thing as a murder simulator, of course.

I think it would be pretty hard for this to be pinned on video games. I guess the mother could claim she was so addicted to gaming that it happened but I think that claim wouldn't stand.

This woman is the one who is responsible for her child's death. It is a damn shame that irresponsible people decide to have children.


-Weighted Companion Cube
I don't think a "murder simulator" is that bad of an idea. Sure it sounds extreme but it could definitely be entertaining and a good way to vent anger. Possibly it could even help treat psychotic murderers.

Well done, only two posts in and people are already telling us what JT will think. Here's a hint, you know he's antigame, he knows he's antigame and this whole forum knows he's antigame. Why not just wait until he makes a post then comment on it rather than flogging a dead horse.

“It can be utilized to connect with the Internet, so you can talk with other people, play games with other people, that sort of thing,”
Xbox

“It can be utilized to connect with the Internet, so you can talk with other people, play games with other people, that sort of thing,”
Computer

“It can be utilized to connect with the Internet, so you can talk with other people, play games with other people, that sort of thing,”
iPhone

What an EXTREMELY ambiguous and obvious statement.

Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise.

@ Jackson
Wow that's a bad joke. *cringe*

Wow, yet another embarassment to gamers. What she did is inexcusable and I hope she pays the full price for her actions.

I don't know of anything that keeps transcripts on Xbox live. I know that messages are retained for a while then deleted, but I haven't seen any chat transcript function for messenger (I have the keypad, anyone wanna trade my white for black?).

Any transcripts or logs are something that is very much up to the programmer of a particular application and console guys tend to be frugal with such features.

I really can't see any link to games here. If the baby really died from crib death aka sudden infant death syndrome, then the only question would be why she didn't report it.

@ Jack Thompson

Go chase a chupacabra.

Considering that this is similar to idiot parents leaving their kids in cars in 100 degree temperatures(or 0 degree temperatures) while they went into a bar or a truck-stop casino to go play video poker, this case has nothing to do with video games.

@Bloodharp

supposedly died of crib death. it is equally as likely it died from negligence.

@JT
"Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise."

Out of how many people, how many millions, Jack?
Really... consider how small a minority of violently psychotic gamers actually is...

"Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise. "

@jack thompson
Jack, do you ever think that people say something similar about you? Something to the tune of
Another fine uninformed citizen. What a surprise.

So you're saying that gamers are the only people who are bad citizens? You should take a trip with me Jack, where I can show you people who are acting out because of lack of education, or because their fraction of society glorifies the 'thug life'.

As to this woman, she's not an original Tar Heel, if I remember correct. She's from elsewhere.

That being said, who the FUCK hides a dead child in the attic?

Other than the guilty.

Maybe it did die of crib death, and she just didn't want to face the shame.

Or maybe she's just an idiotic bitch, who didn't know how to take care of a child. There are people in this world like that.

I think everyone needs to layoff North Carolina.

Whether we're joking or serious.

And this is more of a preemptive statement.

Trevor,
I say we go even narrower. I mean, we KNOW there are great, honorable, ethical individuals of a great many religions out there. John Bruce, Fred Phelps, Eric Rudloph, and even Osama Bin Lauden aren't among such individuals, but that's beside the point.

But John Bruce believes HIS SPECIFIC religious beliefs, taught in his specific church, of which he is claimed to be an Elder, are superior to everyone one else's. So, let's find out.

Again, note that I'm not condemning religion in general. I'm just specifically saying let's put HIS claims to the test. Let's run background checks one EVERY member of his church over the last 30 years (or whenever the church opened it's doors, whichever provides the longest period of time). Not only convictions, but accusations as well (since society holds so much importance to just the accusation, over the guilt). Let's then investigate EVERY minor that has ever attended that church in that time period. Investigate how they acted in school (not just based on what the school authority figures say as they tend to overlook certain actions) and not just their friends (as they tend to aid in any anti-social behavior) but the groups of students most likely to be victims of these students.

Let's get a REAL picture of what kind of kids are churned out by HIS church and HIS beliefs. Let's see just what kind of adults attend HIS church and agree with HIS beliefs.

I suspect that while he would make such demands (based on his prior insults) upon gamers, he would scream witch hunt and violation of his religious rights if we tried to do it to HIS church and his SPECIFIC beliefs.

And, truth be told, he'd be right. BUT, it would be just as true if you tried it on ANYONE and ANY GROUP of individuals.

But it would certainly produce interesting results, wouldn't it? :: evil grin ::

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software

Austin,
Actually, I think NC and FL are neck and neck for lunacy.

And I'm from NC.

:)

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software

Oh is that all? Whew.... I was kinda scared there.

They are obviously looking for a case of neglect. Let's see what the autopsy reports says first, then speculation on whether a game system was used as the means of said neglect.

@ JT

“Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise.”

Might as well say these:

“Another fine Christian. What a surprise.”
“Another fine American. What a surprise.”
“Another fine mother. What a surprise.”

They're all equally bigoted and stereotyped.

There's a slight chance the police will find something in the chat transcripts. Although telling online strangers that she killed her baby would be a stupid maneuver, people wildly announce the terrible things they're going to do/have done in cyberspace all the time, thinking anonymity will protect them.

@jack thompson, attorney

"Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise."

Wow, you just immediately post anything hateful you can think of without a SECOND THOUGHT, don't you?

@nightwng2000

Okay boys, we've got a nutter. Bring out the riot gear.

@general531

Be glad he hasn't blamed them for the Lockerbie Disaster.

I too would lean toward "neglect" as the COD in this case. As soon as I read the headline I was reminded of the case in China where a couple spent some ridiculous stretch of time in an Internet cafe (I want to say it was anywhere from 18-36 hours, can't remember), leaving their child unattended at home. The baby was dead by the time they returned.

This is 100% about the personality of the parent, not the vice in which she was indulging.

It seems as if the police are just trying to establish contacts this woman had and the media put the focus on the game system. JT's comment earlier in this thread (which again, I don't believe it's the REAL JT), is the voice of someone desensitized to violence and death, to the point of being disrespectful.

Can somebody please verify if that really is Jack Thompson's reply?

It'd be a waste of our energy if it turns out to be some retarded poser looking for attention.

It's him. Everyone else capitalises the name when they post as him.

What can I say? This is simply a case of neglect. This woman ignored her child and the child died. If it was really SIDS then it can be excused, but if she really spent more time on games than taking care of her kids than she is a monster.

I have two kids and one on the way, I would hate myself for the rest of my life if one of them died because I neglected them.

As for you Jack Thompson, I see more child deaths and abuse at the hands of nongamers than I have seen by gamers. So don't blame this on games. You are the most ignorant and evil person I have ever met.

Who bets that she was playing WoW?

@Geno

No WoW, they only seized an Xbox, and other electronic gismos like a camera and cell phone.

Some good article quotes and info at the bottom urls. I can only give my sincere condolences to the father of the child and other grieving family members. Living in North Carolina I hate to see this. Our soldiers come home to Fort Drum and other locales to so many horrible things. Divorce, murder suicides, broken homes, and now this. It's bad enough they are being used in an unholy war initiated out of greed and arrogance away from their families every night, but they have clowns blaming videogames on selfishness and horrible parenting.

To pin an internal problem the mother had on an external physical item you take away the burden of guilt the offender need carry. Shame on those who feel the need to cheapen moral responsibility and correct choices in life in such a horrible way. Examples of bad parenting and horrible humanity such as this should ALWAYS be bad parenting and horrible humanity, never a scapegoat regardless of how easy it makes penance. The Devil is not to blame for our evil actions toward one another, nor are videogames or violent media. We have ourselves to blame. Sadly, blaming ourselves means we actually have to take responsibility to FIX our mistakes and accept the consequences of our bad choices. Something some humans seem to have an aversion to. :(

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/331551.html
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5236595.html
http://news14.com/content/top_stories/588651/mother-charged-with-murder-...
http://boards.crimelibrary.com/showthread.php?p=9030329
http://www.myspace.com/chellbell1982

Someone dropped the line that she played online games, and the everquest/diablo/world of warcraft-bad-parent-syndrome popped into their heads. In their minds, she is just as bad as a junkie that leaves the unattended child alone for a week or two, then finds the body and freaks. Very Trainspotting really.
Attack the games if you must, but it sounds like a serious social disorder, a highly addictive personality type, and a medium of choice, not to mention the criminal decision to simply 'hide' the child.
Furthermore, the article mentions nothing about how much she played, just that a neighbor recognized her online character active. No indication has been made that they believe negligence via video/online gaming has been established. They simply seized it looking for information, as would be logical in a case where part of the suspects social network exists online.
the seizure of the xbox, as a gaming platform and entertainment system, has no real bearing on the issue.
What bothers me is that the baby was 'found dead in the crib' and they are filing first degree murder charges. First degree requires, to my understanding, malice and planning of the crime. From what they have released, it sounds like negligence or SIDS (if the child was indeed found in the crib). Most likely negligence, but first degree for negligence seems a bit high ( I would expect something like shaken baby, or comments pointing to how much she 'hated' the child). It would not be the first time we have not received the full story, but I think there is a little more to this poor child passing on early than just 'negligence'.

@ Nightwing

I live in Fl. myself..and I COMPLETELY agree that this state is messed up to a sad point. And I'm actually ashamed to be living in the same state as old Jack "ass" Thompson. Truly sad indeed.

@Gameboy

Yeah, I have three kids and play games all the time. They are 2, 3, and 6...all healthy with no problems. They get their baths, food, and homework done and I still work in some good gametime after they head to bed. I must not really be a gamer then since my kids are just fine, happy, and turning into gamers themselves.

jack thompson, attorney Says:

"Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise."


Of course, given the fact that you like to jump on any story with a HINT of a gamer being involved, and given the comparative crime rates in the US/UK, using your own logic, I would have to suggest that gamers must be some of the most law abiding and gentle people of any demographic.

1 mother in how many millions? I'll take those statistics any day of the week.

@ Jack Thompson

You are the worst form of vile filth. Fuck off.

(I know I just lowered myself to his level, but it felt oh so good)

@Nekowolf

No, please don't. We have only one jackass thompson and we already don't know what to do with him. No need for "clones". Besides, isn't that illegal? :P

@JT

Look at all those christians who refuse to take their children to the doctor and instead pray to god- causing their children to get sicker and often die.

Look at the christians who bomb or shoot up abortion clinics.

Look at all the christians involved in hate groups.

Look at all the christians pushing their religion on everyone else.

Model citizens one and all...

Awhile back, this guy named Larry Froistad burned down his house with his daughter inside so his wife wouldn't get custody or something. At the time, he worked as a developer for Sony. Turns out, he ended up telling people online about what he did, and got found out that way. This story sounds similar to me, like they're looking for evidence of this lady telling someone online what happened.

@JT
Stop generalizing people. I mean, come on, you're a lawyer.. if you want to play the stereotype game just remember that many people consider lawyers bottom feeding parasites that should all be shot. And that's even before anyone knows what you actually do.

@Baramos

But someone like thompson
is gonna spin it that way and plenty of people are gonna agree.

@GO

You owe me a cookie. Check the article with the picture of a Marine wearing boxers on his head for a reason.

Chocobo? What the fuck?

*hugs his crowbar and starts muttering*


My kingdom for an edit button!

@Nekowolf

Fine with me as long as we don't repeat Black Mesa in real life ._.

[...] Gamepolitics has a chilling post about an investigation into a child’s death…that has a strange gaming twist: According to WRAL-5, Johni Michelle Heuser has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of baby Harmony, who had been reported missing last Friday, leading to a statewide Amber Alert. On Saturday police found the child’s body in the attic of Heuser’s home. Heuser said Harmony died weeks ago from crib death and she hid the body out of fear. [...]

DavCube
I'll sue 2k for bioshock begin over stated and lack lsuter!

LOL

Seriously, Jack, masturbating over dead babies is a new low even for you.

I dare you to respond to me, bitch.

(Yeah, like Apex SLug, I'm sinking to his level, but there just comes a point where he needs to be called on the carpet.)

That's two JT posts this morning.. Jack's on here in three, two, one..

@rdeegvainl

You are most welcome. He wouldn't be the first Marine i've seen do that either..