Judge sentences gamer to death

[DarkwingChuck]

Judge sentences gamer to death

20-year-old who used Grand Theft Auto as defense for triple homicide sentenced to lethal injection.

Earlier this year, Devin Moore, now 20, was on trial for the 2003 triple homicide of three Alabama policemen. While in detention for stealing a car, Moore grabbed the pistol of one officer and used it to fatally shoot a total of three of them.

The defense mounted a case based on a childhood full of mental and physical abuse, as well as an affinity for violent games. One game in particular, Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto III, was singled out, because gamers can steal cars and kill cops in it. Moore had said he was inspired by the PlayStation 2 game.

In August, a jury swiftly convicted Moore of the charges. And today, a judge laid down the most severe punishment the justice system allows.

Moore will be put to death by lethal injection. Defense attorney Jim Standridge will appeal the case.

The victims' families have sued Take-Two Interactive (parent company of Rockstar), Sony, Wal-Mart, and GameStop for their parts in the manufacturing and selling of the game.

By Tim Surette

Maybe this will bring a complete and final end to the "video games made me do it" defense. And hopefully the suit against Take-Two and the retailers will fail as well. They'll probably settle out of court just to avoid the media coverage, though.

[IRC]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

I almost wish that they would fight the suit. They won't but the only thing that will law suits against video game companies is if there is legal president that they aren't responsible for the actions of disturbed kids. If anything this example is just going to add to the problem. It almost makes me want to commit some heinous crime and then blame CNN for showing me violent news footage.

[Goufunaki]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

The general public is still under the impression that videogames are meant for kids only. I feel bad for the families of the victims, but they hear "GTA" and see an opportunity to make money just because videogames are easy targets.

[Magus]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Kill the kid, drink his blood!

[Manyak]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Maybe this will bring a complete and final end to the "video games made me do it" defense.

I'm sorry, but that defense is never going to end.

[Dyne]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

I'm sorry, but that defense is never going to end.

Nope. People will never take responsibility for their actions.

I mean, damn, he's 20 (18 at the time)!! "GTA made me do it", tch, yeah, right.

[Nixon]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Don't blame me, blame my upbringing!

[Funk]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Tetris made me bash someone's head in with a concrete block.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Don't blame me, blame my upbringing!

Please stop singing while I'm singing!

[Denmo]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Let's let Lady Luck decide.

[Tsunami]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

It's completely rediculous that the victims families would try to sue Wal-mart and GameStop just because they sell the game. Anyways, this guy deserves the death penalty for what he did, I'm glad the "video games made me do it" defense didn't fly.

[Denmo]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

They sue Wal-Mart and Gamestop because they sell the game to minors.

Even though the parents should have complete control over what their child is doing.

BUT, since they don't want to take responsibility and make a fat wad of $$$ from this situation, like all good Americans, they decided to blame it on someone else the ol' fashioned way.

[tjoris9]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

GTA would never make me steal a car and kill three cops.

Maybe two cops...

Or maybe I'd just take the car...

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

I stopped killing cops after I played GTA III for the first time. I think it was Super Smach Bros. that got me started. Damn you Pikachu!!!

[Goufunaki]

Re: Judge sentences gamer to death

Pokemon teaches kids to capture wild animals and force them to fight each other for sport.