GTA "Nut Case" Killer Gets 75 to Life

GTA "Nut Case" Killer Gets 75 to Life

March 26, 2007
The leader of a street gang which played Grand Theft Auto III by day and acted the game out in real life by night has been sentenced to 75 years to life in state prison.

As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, 27-year-old Gregory Colbert was convicted of killing a friend, Glen Phaso. As described by the Chronicle:
The Nut Cases were an Oakland street gang who told police that they spent their time getting high and playing the video game "Grand Theft Auto," then went and perpetrated the violent acts shown in the game, including robbery and murders. They called themselves the Nut Cases, and several members sported tattoos showing the Planters logo Mr. Peanut and the words "Nut Case."

Six other Nut Case members have been charged with five murders which took place during 2002-2003. Colbert is suspected in those cases but prosecutors did not have enough evidence to bring him to trial. 

GamePolitics has previously reported on the conviction of another Nut Case killer, Demarcus Ralls.
Posted in

Comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Submitted by Broken Controllers » GTA Gang Founder Sentenced to 75 - March 27, 2007 at 12:27 pm -0500
[...] 1UP - The case of 27-year-old Gregory Colbert is a strange one. The man founded a gang in Oakland, but it wasn’t what most people would consider a “normal” gang. Colbert’s gang, the Nut Cases, was based completely around the Grand Theft Auto franchise — specifically, the founder and his friends would play GTA, get high, and then commit real-world crimes based on the actions they were doing in-game. Thankfully, the crime spree has caught up with Colbert. Game Politics has reported that Gergory Colbert has received a sentence of 75 years to life in prison. [...]
Submitted by Kincyr - March 26, 2007 at 10:27 pm -0500
since it is written that Take 2 and Rockstar do not endorse, condone or otherwise encourage such behavior, they are no more to blame than Kraft (who owns the Planters line) is.

'course if Jerk happens to choke on a peanut, he'll have 2 reasons to think Kraft and Take 2 are conspiring to take him down...
Submitted by Kikimaru - March 26, 2007 at 8:16 pm -0500
Well, at least they can't use the "he's a minor" charge here -- these guys were old enough to know better.
Of course, doesn't seem like they were *smart* enough...

Eh, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will be all over this in 3-2-1...
Submitted by Austin Lewis - March 26, 2007 at 7:00 pm -0500
There's something about those planters Peanuts and Mr. Peanut that just make me want to kill.

I think its the hat and gloves. He thinks hes beeter than me!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Submitted by hilaryduffgta - March 26, 2007 at 5:43 pm -0500
This is not something that should be laughed at! We all should fear the "nut case" gang remember they are "dangerous"

sorry thats all the energy i have for sarcasm
Submitted by LightWarrior - March 26, 2007 at 3:32 pm -0500
...I see...Planters Peanuts made them do it!

rofl....
Submitted by hilaryduffgta - March 26, 2007 at 12:42 pm -0500
"the nut cases" please tell me that wasnt their Gang name?

if so then they are beyond stupid and deserve 75 years "gta and drugs made us do it"

yea and twinkies and gta made me fat
Submitted by GTA Killer Discovers Respawn Glitch | - March 26, 2007 at 11:27 am -0500
[...] Alleged founder of Nut Cases gang sentenced for killing [San Francisco Chronicle, via Game Politics] [...]
Submitted by volcanman - March 26, 2007 at 10:57 am -0500
@ Shoehorn O'Plenty

I think that when they were caught they were using that as an excuse so that they could get less time. Doesn't seem like it'd work though.
Submitted by point09micron - March 26, 2007 at 10:50 am -0500
So, what. His punishment is that he has to play that shitty game 25 to Life three times in a row? I thought cruel and unusual punishment was unconstitutional.
Submitted by You NEWB » Blog Archive » GTA “Nut Case - March 26, 2007 at 9:13 am -0500
[...] Via: Game Politics Source: SF Chronicle [...]
Submitted by Terminator44 - March 26, 2007 at 5:36 am -0500
"The Nut Cases were an Oakland street gang who told police that they spent their time getting high and playing the video game “Grand Theft Auto,”

Hm, doing drugs might explain their irrational behavior. However, blaming drugs is so 80s. It's all GTA's fault now!
Submitted by Thefremen - March 26, 2007 at 5:31 am -0500
I think the SFC needs to take whatever classes Newscorp took so that next time they can do a better job at making a connection where there isn't one.
Submitted by Shoehorn O'Plenty - March 26, 2007 at 4:26 am -0500
At least they didn't try to claim that the game made them do it. The language in that report seems to suggest it a little though, ie. They played the game, then went out and committed the acts in the game. It's probably a lot more likely that they committed these crimes, then came home and played a game that depicts similar acts.
Submitted by GetWellGamers - March 26, 2007 at 4:20 am -0500
Sheesh.

At least they were honest and up front about it. Nut Cases indeed.
Submitted by Stephen M. Pittel, Ph.D. - April 1, 2007 at 11:22 pm -0500
I am a forensic psychologist who participated in the defense of Demarcus Ralls. I have read every document associated with the 'nut case' gang crimes & I have interviewed all of the key players. I am familiar with all of the crime details and the events leading up to each of the killings and robberies.

GTA was not a motive or an incentive or in any other way involved in the gang's activities! It was never presented as evidence in the trial or included in the opening or closing arguments of either the prosecution or the defense. The association between GTA and the 'nut case' gang is an invention of the media.
Submitted by Christian - April 8, 2007 at 3:28 am -0500
@Kikimaru

Shush! You will summon him, like a grey haired version of Candyman! O_O

If you say his name 3 times to a darkened mirror he pops out and sues you for slander!

ECA IconA PUBLICATION OF THE ECA RSS IconSUBSCRIBE User LoginLOGIN / REGISTER

Crispy Gamer




       

GamePolitics ShoutBox

Posted 03/22/10 at 02:42am
ZippyDSMlee: Like most train wrecks it wont help people much and cost us more in the end than what we would benefit from it.....
Posted 03/22/10 at 02:37am
TBoneTony: Great to see MA go to the back bench in SA, hope that new AG is more ballanced
Posted 03/22/10 at 02:36am
TBoneTony: Oh there it is
Posted 03/22/10 at 02:36am
TBoneTony: Shout is not working for me at the moment
Posted 03/22/10 at 02:34am
SimonBob: (Would you like to rent our Green party? We're not doing anything with it.)
Posted 03/22/10 at 02:31am
SimonBob: hey america: I was watching CNN earlier, and I was thinking, you guys could use a third party.
Posted 03/21/10 at 10:12pm
Valdearg: They beat the parliamentary trick. The senate bill is officially law, pending the President's signature. Now they vote on the fixes to that bill, in the next 15 minutes or so.
Posted 03/21/10 at 10:04pm
gellymatos: Vald: No worries. I do it all the time. Trying to break the habit.
Posted 03/21/10 at 10:01pm
Valdearg: @Gelly: Sorry for jumping to conclusions, LOL.. I guess I read your text in a depressed voice in my head. :D
Posted 03/21/10 at 10:00pm
Valdearg: I'm staying up late, watching CSPAN and MSNBC, and cheering each and every democrat victory.
Posted 03/21/10 at 10:00pm
Valdearg: Yes indeedy. Even Abortion rights got gutted. Obama's going to pass an EO ensuring no federal funds are used for abortions.
Posted 03/21/10 at 09:59pm
gellymatos: Vald: Who said I didn't like it? I'd get a drink out if there wasn't anything where I am at.
Posted 03/21/10 at 09:59pm
gellymatos: Vald:Well, pretty good day, wouldn't you say?
Posted 03/21/10 at 09:58pm
Valdearg: Dont sound so depressed, Gelly. This bill will help people get healthcare, who can't now. It's a perfectly Christian idea.
Posted 03/21/10 at 09:57pm
gellymatos: Well, it's happened. The House Passed the Health Care Bill. Now things get interesting, to say the least.
Posted 03/21/10 at 09:56pm
Valdearg: YES WE CAN!!! YES WE CAN!!! MAJOR HCR Vote passed!! Assuming no idocy, we could see it as law TOMORROW!!!!!!
Posted 03/21/10 at 06:23pm
Andrew Eisen: No, I think I'll stay safe and warm in my own little world where Provolone is king and that... other cheese... doesn't exist.
Posted 03/21/10 at 06:22pm
JDKJ: I wish the Speaker would ask me for what purpose does the member rise.
Posted 03/21/10 at 06:18pm
JDKJ: Provolone?! Please! Try aged Blue Stilton. Also known as Zippy Ass-Crack Cheese.
Posted 03/21/10 at 06:13pm
Andrew Eisen: Nothing beats Provolone.
Login or register to post shouts