October 25, 2007
Police in North Carolina are looking into a woman's online gaming habits as they investigate the death of her 11-month-old daughter.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.
From the TV news report:
As part of their investigation, authorities seized an Xbox video-game system from Heuser's home, and they were examining her playing habits in hopes of developing leads in the case.
"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," Harnett County Sheriff Larry Rollins said.
In an e-mail to WRAL, a woman who claims to live near the family said she recognized Heuser's game character on her computer. She said Heuser was online as late as last Thursday to participate in a role-playing game.
GP: The police seem interested in determing whether Heuser may have discussed some detail of Harmony's death while online and will likely be focusing on chat and message logs.
Comments
With all this massacre chasing, pointless suit filing, going to court hoping not to be disbarred, filing gay porn into a suit, sending your son on "stings" (sure he loves not getting to play games with his friends. I bet he's made all kinds of fun of too.), going on national television as an "expert" on "Fair and Balanced" Fox News, editing Wikipedia, surfing gamer sites and insulting them, breaking your settlement with Rockstar, claiming mass conspiracy, using God's name for your own personal agenda (I'm sure he LOVES that), and the other fruitless endeavors you pursue....when do you find time for your family and time to spend with your son that isn't USING HIM for "stings?"
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.
You speak the truth. Unfortunately.
Hitler. Another good non-gaming citizen, right jack?
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, yeah, but if they're looking into who she chatted with while gaming are they also going through her e-mails and landline and cell phone records? Why are they checking out her gaming habits?
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.
They probably are, but need a little sensationalism for attention.
But, as far as "chatting" on XBox Live, I can't imagine any serious written conversations up until very recently when the Messenger keyboard addon was made available. I do know that there was talk of USB keyboards being used, but how successful they are, I don't know. And that would leave the microphone headset. And are verbal conversations in games recorded?
Still, it's a useful tool (chatting and messaging in general) for law enforcement. Especially if they can get recording conversations (in writing or audio) and actually learn something beyond merely finding out who talked to whom (which is all phone call records would reveal).
Everyone else,
Yup, it wouldn't be a surprise for any number of massacre chasers and agenda seekers to try to tamper with the investigation and witnesses to use and abuse, once again, the tragedies of families and communities to force their own personal, religious, and/or political beliefs on others.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Wow that's a bad joke. *cringe*
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.
Wouldn't Microsoft's servers keep records of what was said?
@ Jackson
Dude... no, never EVER again. That sort of crap just isnt needed.
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.
supposedly died of crib death. it is equally as likely it died from negligence.
Like you I'm taking the high road on this one, until I know more I don't have an opinion on this one.
"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."
Would it not have been just as accurate to say,
"Another fine mother. What a surprise."
or
"Another fine citizen of North Carolina. What a surprise."
Those two statements are equally sterotypical and offensive. But I suppose it's easier for you to sleep at night if you convince yourself that videogames are the only cause of crime in the world.
@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.
Hey, jack ass. Can we use everything people of your religion has done wrong or had done wrong in it's name against you? If not, then shut the hell up.
Games or no games, this woman was obviously just a shitty person. After all, you don't play video games and you're scum. So what do you attribute that to? Shut your mouth. You're a failure as a lawyer, but most of all as a human being.
Whether we're joking or serious.
And this is more of a preemptive statement.
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
So Jack, are you ever going to make that charity donation that Penny-Arcade had to make for you?
Actually, I think NC and FL are neck and neck for lunacy.
And I'm from NC.
:)
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
"Another fine lawyer. What a surprise."
----
Papa Midnight
----
Papa Midnight
Another fine citizen gamer. What a surprise.
Yah... 'cause this is the first time a baby has ever died of SIDS and the mother freaked.
“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.
I've read hundreds of negligent parent stories, now that one may finally be linked to video games, we can work on solving another of humanities ills by banning video games.
Video Gaming must be the holy grail, because banning them is apparently the solution to everything.
@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?
It'd be nice if we could get people to qualify to be a parent before becoming one. Unfortunately I don't think it'd be practical as it'd require people to either stop having sex, or use proper birth control.
Anyways, my guess is the cops are interested in finding people she talked with online. Not sure if they'll succeed, but I wish them luck.
Okay boys, we've got a nutter. Bring out the riot gear.
This was an ignorant and neglectful mother. How DARE you use this tragedy to further your political agenda! What are you going to do next? Blame video games for the firestorm in southern California?
What you said can apply to your career:
Another fine citizen lawyer. What a suprise.
Be glad he hasn't blamed them for the Lockerbie Disaster.
* SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). For those who don't know what it is, look at the name. An infant dies suddenly and unexpectedly. It's still unknown what may contribute to this or why it happens. It just happens all the time and may have happened here, but I guess we'll find out.
* Neglect. She was so busy playing video games/watching TV that she allowed her baby to die. I find this unlikely. The babies cries would drive you crazy and totally prevent you from concentrating. Besides, even my gamer friends that have babies don't ignore them to play a game.
Of course, anything is possible. She may have killed her baby, but I doubt that. I think its most likely neglect or SIDS.
This is 100% about the personality of the parent, not the vice in which she was indulging.