December 28, 2007 -
Three weeks ago, a disturbed young man named Robert Hawkins killed eight people along with himself during a rampage at Omaha's Westroads Mall.While most of those searching for a cause have focused on Hawkins' mental health history and troubled past, Miami attorney Jack Thompson sees a video game connection.
Of course.
Thompson contacted GamePolitics today to say that he was filing a lawsuit against Omaha Police Chief Thomas Warren (left) in regard to the case. Apparently the cops in Omaha haven't been impressed by Thompson's video game theories and the controversial attorney wants to force the issue. In his court filing, Thompson writes:
These [rampages] have occurred, in part... because of the advent of extremely violent interactive media (video games) consumed by adolescents and teens who use these murder simulation devices to rehearse and prepare for these murderous assaults.
Any particular game in mind, Jack?
Some of the Grand Theft Auto games, which are wildly popular among individuals such as Robert Hawkins, feature what are known as “mall rampages” by which the player can rehearse, for hours on end, entering shopping malls and shooting at random individuals therein.
But, Jack, does this lawsuit mean that the Omaha police are not buying into your theory?
Anyone in law enforcement who does not understand or care to understand the direct causal link between violent video game play and these types of random killing events is living in a dream world...
[The] Police Chief of Omaha... refuses to provide to Thompson... the inventory list of items taken, by search warrant, from Robert Hawkins’ residence.
Thompson has served a written request, pursuant to Nebraska Statute 84-712, upon Police Chief Thomas Warren, and he refuses to comply with his legal duty, under Nebraska law, to provide the inventory.
Although it's not clear how, Thompson maintains that Chief Warren's refusal somehow puts others at risk:
In refusing to comply with the law, defendant Warren demonstrably puts at public safety risk residents of Nebraska and elsewhere...
Thompson has also been interviewed concerning this suit by Omaha's KETV-7 for its 10PM news broadcast. GP has also heard from Ryan Miller, a vice-president with Gamers, a Midwest game retailer. Miller said that he, too, was interviewed by way of counterpoint.
Meanwhile, Thompson attempted to post a message regarding the lawsuit on the comments section of GamePolitics:
I am... well on my way to destroying [GTA publisher] Take-Two. Tonight’s broadcast is just part of the plan.
GP: We're a bit puzzled by Thompson's action since Nebraska's public records disclosure law appears to specifically exempt police investigation files. The following are not subject to public release according to the statute:
Records developed or received by law enforcement agencies and other public bodies with duties of investigation or examination when the records are part of the examination, investigation, intelligence information, citizen complaints, informant identification, or information used in law enforcement training.
UPDATE: Thompson has advised GP that in place of the lawsuit he originally forwarded to us, he has filed a writ (MS Word format) with the Fourth District Court of Nebraska. His intent remains the same: to compel Chief Warren to reveal the results of the Hawkins search.
Comments
It'd be even more funnier if Colbert put Thompson on the "Dead to Me" board.
The stupidity points itself out here. The man is this much closer to getting disbarred. He's got nothing. Think about it, absolutely nothing. This may get to you, but in the end he won't succeed yet again. Take comfort in that.
Oh and a sidenote, I was upset by the Mike *uckabee thing because it was in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. A politicizing statement such as his in the wake of such a tragic event further seals this in my mind: He is not fit to be a national leader.
While Jack never ceases to amaze me, he just shot himself in the foot. His disbarment is pretty much assured. He could have waited it out, and maybe, just maybe, had a chance at a suspension and nothing more. Bravo Jackie.
YOU FAIL.
As Maddox would tell you, 7/16 of an inch is " the distance you'd have to move your pinky in order to not sound like an idiot". I will just tell you that it is a good way to make your comments down right unreadable.
@ Everyone
Sorry for trolling, but I like to read people's comment and caps lock is just downright unacceptable for that.
The shooting took place in Omaha, Nebraska...
Thompson resides in Miami, Florida....
And unless I've mistaken something, he has no license (let alone right) to practice law in Nebraska.
That and the fact that he has no evidence to prove that the shooter played any video games and that he's blatantly ignoring the fact that the said shooter had a big record of mental illness.
But I guess at this point it can go without any saying... :/
No-no Jack... at the very least, fight smarter, not harder. It's like you're a school bully who punches the first person he sees every day.
But really, I don't know what I hope to achieve by saying that; Jack doesn't care and there is a 99.9% chance that he is doomed anyway. Not to bring up the belief stuff again, but trust me when I say he doesn't even have God's support in all this, despite whatever religious claims he may make. (As if it wasn't obvious given his consistent failure.) Really, as Penny Arcade has said, God is metal and brings those blue sparks in Mario Kart: Double Dash; he doesn't hate everyone on the planet like Jack seems to.
I should also say something more original while I'm here... hm...
How about this: If Jack was a Jedi, Darth Vader would be proud of his turn to The Dark Side.
@Jack, wherever you are: Determining what motivated the killings and how they were allowed to happen is police work. You're not a policeman. So stop telling the policemen how to do their job.
Anyone who believes in a direct causal link between violent video game play and these types of random killing events is living in a dream world of his or her own construction...
岩「…I can see why Hasselbeck's worried about fake guns killing fake people. afterall, she's a fake journalist on a fake news channel」
These things are rare, it's just that the media just loves to leech off of them for weeks on end.
@Bobby
First off use caps locks
Secondly as much as I would hate to derail this topic into the race issue when did the arian brotherhood kkk or black panthers become a problem again? As far as I know most of them have disbanded or at the very least are so small they are no longer a threat.
I sincerely apologize for the error. Thanks for the clarification.
Seriously, I'm taking those bets right now, and I will in fact pay those who take the bet. Anyone feeling brave?
umm i wouldnt talk to jt anymore who know what kind of brain damage you might suffer if you listen long enough
Fox News (or Noise) might as well hire Thompson. One of their legal analysts, Mark Fhurman, dropped the N-bomb repeatedly during O.J. Simpson's 1995 trial, which I think led to his acquittal.
Stop screaming.
50:1 odds? Are you kidding I'd give it at least 100:1 odds unless he gives in out of fear and nothing more.
@GP,
so when, exactly, does Thompson's continued attempts to bypass your bans become cyberstalking?
Note that Infinite is not acceptable
Clearly, the things that we know about Thompson is far different than what the mainstream public sees. We need to be able to show that the gaming culture can be positive towards american society and can be beneficial. It's how deaf people and Deaf culture got the mainstream eye when they marched at Galladuet university for the "Deaf President Now" movement.
Although it's not ALL about Thompson, we need to approach the public about him. It can't be done in a libel and slanderous way, but we can be the other perspective, the other part of that argument. I don't want to hear from a professor, I'd rather hear from a credible gamer on telivison who can provide a great arguement and point out things.
Our gamer initiative goes beyond Jack Thompson. We need to be able to show the public that we are credible and respectible people, restore our image that he has broken down and move beyond Jack Thompson and inform our public correctly. We should hold debates, speakings (people from the industry, credible psychologists, credible lawyers) that should focus on the legality, morality and design of videogames.
I have always had three questions about videogames and politics. I have no true answers to any of them. I think the answers, at least in part lie with the public opinion.
Within what boundaries are videogames legal? (This has been a nagging question of mine since discovering gamepolitics and reading about videogames bannings in the U.S., UK Austrailia, etc.)
Are videogames moral?
Is videogame design considered art?
I know a friend that I am going to talk to make videogames a central subject on a radio station in a small town. I want to see our rights supported much more strongly.
The next time on Jack Thompson's legalass theatre...
In all seriousness, the guy is loosing it, too many "assassination" attempts from gamers I guess...
I hope that he has his own website where people could challenge him. THAT WOULD BE FUN.
Gamers, Inc has been selling value video games in Omaha and across the Midwest for over 14 years. People here look to us as THE place to purchase new and used video games. Never has a local incident shocked the hearts, minds, and souls of so many Nebraskans as this recent shooting at the Von Maur store in the Westroads Mall. It is very disheartening that Jack Thompson would use this horrific, heartbreaking event to further his agenda.
Jack Thompson is trying to make the facts conform to his mission or “crusade” instead of having his mission conform to the facts of the matter.
-There is no causal link between video games and participating in real-world violent acts. For example ANY one who consumes alcohol heavily will experience an impairment regarding operating a motor vehicle. There is a causal link here. However not everyone who plays video games acts out violently. There is no causal link here.
-People do not train on video games anymore than I could train to be an attorney by playing the video game, Phoenix Wright, or could train to be a mob boss by watching the Sopranos.
-Video games are INTERACTIVE media. I am playing a GAME. Since I am interacting, I know it is not real.
-Since the advent of video games into mainstream, violent crimes have gone down. We believe this is due to people being able to act out their aggressions in the virtual world as opposed to the real world. If I ever have a rough day, I pop in Call of Duty 4 (game of choice at the moment) and finish my day refreshed.
- This killer had several issues with theft, drugs, isolation, and parental abandonment. With this large stack of issues, it seems futile to look at the shooter’s video game habits. What is next, finding out what this shooter ate? I see a much greater correlation between shootings and lack of parental restraints and supervision than with shootings and video games.
I wish that Jack would see this issue for what it really is and seek to find/ fix the true causes of these tragic events instead of trying to distort the facts to blame video games. If Jack wishes, he can contact me as I would love to explain to him how he is helping to create more incidents by allowing sub par parents to focus on a scapegoat in video games instead of examining their own parental shortcomings. Dennis has all my contact information.
We've got to stop MILK!
Another note I forgot to add. A large portion of our proceeds of all Wii Bundles sold this holiday season in Omaha are being donated by us (Gamers, Inc.) to the Von Maur Victim's Fund.
Yet another way that video games are helping others!
All good points mate. Except.... well we ARE dealing with JBT here. N Ot exacly Man of the Year materal. All the other issues relating are not of interest to him after he heard (or even not heard but imagined) games. He is sueing for money and possibly for fame. He is trying to do to games what other lawyers did to big tobacco.
His normal rant includes his line about how "M" rated games are being sold to minors. ie Have to save the kiddies. Except he has shown that he does not much care for or about children. Only the games and the money they can bring him.
While I admire your desire to speak with consider his statement when attempting to sue for the records.
"Anyone in law enforcement who does not understand or care to understand the direct causal link between violent video game play and these types of random killing events is living in a dream world of his or her own construction…"
Megalomania at its finest. He is right the rest of the world (those that do not agree with him or admit he is right) is wrong. Besides you are a gamer and according to JBT sub-human at best and not worthy of his time.
I would love to be the first to volunteer for the position of ECA spokesperson! In fact, I was talking with Hal about it at the VGXpo last October as I have a degree in Mass Communication, I'm articulate and have an excellent speaking voice. Personally I was thinking more in the direction of voiceovers for any commercials or PSA's they might want to do, but a spokesperson position sounds great too. And even though CT is a few states away from me, it would be worth the trip to audition.
I would vote for/support you as spokesman. Hell you have been in the same room and within striking distance of JBT and he can still walk (and sue) Only I wonder, JBT has proven not to hear anything he does not .want to so would it be worth the effort?
@Cheese
I am betting 16 on that one. He can do just that much damage before he has to convince someone else to do it for him.
Sorry if it seems like I am yelling. All caps is a military format in which I am use to. If you read maddox's book, he goes on to say that even though all caps seems like yelling, it is a lot easier to read.
@ Father Time
Are you from Mississippi? I would think not. Also ask the people in illinous and california. I am sure they would tell you other wise. Just because they don't show it on tv, doesn't mean it's not arround.
@ MacBoy
Please don't use mac in your name. Apple is well known for not supporting third party aps and video games. A lot of these guys are pc gamers, and hate the very thought of owning a mac because of that.
This is an analogy the way I see it.
JT: Those shoes are uncomfortable.
Me: Excuse me!
JT: Those shoes are uncomfortable.
Me: No they're not.
JT: Yes they are.
Me: Have you ever worn these shoes.
JT: No.
Me: Then how do you know.
JT: I’m an EXPERT.
Is that better.
I have played this game myself. I have not since been inclined to engage in a mall shooting whatsoever nor do I feel better trained to conduct a mass shooting in a mall. I am sure the vast majority of those who purchased this title are the same.
This Christmas I played Guitar Hero 3 on the Xbox 360. I then attempted to play a real guitar immediately after (no joke). Let's just say I will be sticking to Guitar Hero. My real guitar playing skills are no better than Yoko Ono's singing skills (sorry to offend anyone). I suppose Guitar Hero failed to train me.
Well I am off to play Sim City in the hopes that it will train me to be mayor of Candyland (come on, who wouldn't like that job)!
JUST
F***
OFF!
Hey, wanna lump Call of Duty 4 into this "conspiracy"!? If thats the case, i am very well fucking trained, so just send me off to Iraq and i will have Osamas head on a spit by morning! Im saying this also in response to his attacks on "modern themed" fps's.
In case you didnt get the message before, let me say it again:
JUST
F***
OFF!
(dont take what i said at face value, but realise the main point, please. i dont mean to stir up trouble)