North Carolina Killer: I Played GTA Before Double Murder
North Carolina Killer: I Played GTA Before Double Murder
May 14, 2008
A 22-year-old convicted killer claims that he played Grand Theft Auto just before murdering two housemates in 2005.
As reported by the Fayetteville Observer, James Christopher Stitt is waiting to learn whether he will be executed or face life in prison for the gruesome double slaying. Stitt told a psychiatrist that he played GTA until 4 a.m. and then committed the killings. The psychiatrist, Dr. Moira Artigues, testified:
He went in and killed George and Jenna in a state where he was like an automaton, not in control of his actions at the time.
The newspaper report notes:
[Dr.] Artigues... did not suggest that there was a connection between the video game and the murders.... Artigues said Stitt seems at times to live in a fantasy world and she wasn’t even sure that the version of the murders he described to her was the truth. He told a different story — in which Grand Theft Auto wasn’t mentioned — to his girlfriend, according to earlier testimony.
Courtroom testimony also revealed that the convicted murderer had an extremely troubled childhood.
Comments
This seems more like a insainty claim here rather then a blame game....at 22 if he can't really tell the difference. One could agrue anything violent would confuse this mentally troubled person.
Sadly an extremely troubled childhood would go un-noticed to the politians.
This defense is going to become more common for people looking to avoid longer prison terms or the death penalty. I would probably do the same in his situation- regardless of the truth.
Queue jack thompson in 3, 2, 1...
Good to see the newspaper didn't immediately link them and it was important to note that he told a different story to his girlfriend. Killers are frequently described as being in an altered state where they're focussed on the job & nothing else. No matter what he did before or after, he murdered 2 people whilst they were asleep (or at least STARTED to kill them when one was asleep). If he does truly do well in so structured an environment as prison then it sounds like the best place for him.
I think the fantasy wold thing has been misinterpreted, the fantasy world this bloke lives in is the one where such a pissweak defence for premeditated multiple murder actually gets him released.
Well of course it was the video game, and had absolutely nothing to do with his troubled childhood.
BAN THESE EVIL GAMES!
And is it me, or do all the people who blame video games for murders look... well, dumb?
You predict?
I am certain.
At least they didn't try to directlysay that it was because they played GTA. They just tried to imply it. It probably won't fly due to the fact that they told the other story, though.
Why do people blame other things other than the fact that they just killed someone, I wouldn't have killed the guy if I didn't have a bad childhood. That is bullshit, because video games don't cause violence in people the shitheads that think that the shit you can do in video games is real cause violence!!!
That excuse is about as weak as Lipton tea. Odds are this little Charles Manson had read somewhere that people were trying to blaim GTA on causing people to kill and is trying to BS his way out of things. Considering his contradictor testimonies, this will probaby be dismissed by the courts/judge.
P.s. Love the new format Dennis!
This is merely a defense, as the article explains, in order to try and keep him off death row. However, it won't work.
From the article:
"Around 4 a.m., Stitt quit playing the game and walked into the bedroom. He saw the sleeping couple, found Katsigiannis’ gun and took it back to the living room.
Back in the living room, he picked up a kitchen knife from the coffee table. Then he went back into the bedroom and tried to cut Katsigiannis’ throat. The knife broke, so he ran back into the living room, got the gun and went back into the bedroom.
In the bedroom, Katsigiannis was up and trying to say something. Stitt shot him in the face. Bologna was screaming, and Stitt shot her twice in the head."
There's no way he didn't know what he was doing. He failed to kill them with a knife (plastic? How else would it break) then proceeded to get the gun which he'd already removed from the room so they couldn't use it on him. Honestly this sounds VERY premeditated not to mention horrific in the fact Stitt wanted to kill with a knife, up close and personal first rather than using the gun he'd already acquired.
I hope this courtroom understands that and puts this sick bastard away, showing a precident that the "Wookie" defense doesn't work.
/end sarcasm
Nietzsche, Catcher in teh Rye, Helter Skelter... Twinkies!
What excuses have people used to claim they aren't responsible for their murders? There should be a list of defenses that have been tried somewhere on the web.
oooh oooh oooh! can i use the "Jack Thompson made me do it" scapegoat? :D
That woman's last name is Bologna. This amuses me for some reason.
Other than that, not much to say. Loudspeaker summed up my thoughts pretty well.
He's just trying to get some attention and avoid the death penalty.
I once had to go to the bathroom after reading a Jack Thompson press release, so therefore Jack Thompson causes diahrrea.
Regardless of whether video games are involved in his life in any way or not, Stitt admitted his guilt and should be executed, period.
He also ate a Happy Meal from McDonalds, Used gas purchased from Exxon, Wore Levis 505 jeans, Hanes socks and underwear, Reebok sneakers, and t-shirt from Reebok.
We should blame McDonalds, Reebok, Exxon, Levis, and Hanes, for providing the nesseary gear, fuel, and food, for this guy to commite the murder. An no, I have no idea what he wore, ate, or what fuel he drove with. Its an arguement kids.
His argument is absurd. If it was a crime of passion, in the heat of the moment, while under considerable stress from one or more other elements (lost job, unemployment, relative/close friend just died, etc)....that's understandable. He'd have to do the time, maybe get parole in under ten years if he's tries to reform.
Still, if THIS, is the best, this guy can come up with, as an arguement against not being executed, I say, executed him on grounds of having a 'flimsy defense'. Execute his attorney as well, for even trying this lame idea in court.
Not in control of his actions at the time? This means he has some sort of mental condition in which (one of the following):
-He mimics what he sees.
-He has no morals and can't differ right from wrong.
-He can't tell the difference between the real world and the virtual world.
-or he thinks he's actually fooling anybody.
Whichever one it is, kill him. We don't need psychos in the streets, and I don't think the taxpayers want to pay to keep him in prison for the rest of his life.
Read the whole article. Life in prison/Death penalty = not walking the streets - and the taxpayers are going to pay either way. You don't think they're going to appeal the decision and have the guy on Death Row for awhile if the hury decides to sentence him to death?
The article also already said that this guy does not function well in society. He does OK in low stimulating environments like prison. Reminds me of Sling Blade in that regard. Honestly, this seems more to me a case of mentioning this on gamepolitics just to get the usual retorts. It didn't influence the jury in convicting him of murder. And if it didn't do that, then it shouldn't influence their decision on either to sentence him to the death penalty or life in prison.
Someone needs to make more creative defenses/excuses, the "video games made me do it" schtick is getting old...
...by hitting it with a brick.
I think he deserves death row for even THINKING about using this as a defense. Little weasle bastard.
*insert witty signature here*
Then he MUST have been influcened by Super Mario Brothers!
Did he have a habit of jumping on turtles as well???
*blows whistle*
BullS@#t on the field. 10-yard penalty, repeat death-sentence appeal.
Hmm... Maybe I did. As for who did, I figured only Dennis could delete posts. Sorry if that hurt anyone's feelings.
Now, LOOK AT MY SIGNATURE!!!
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I zazzed up my sig. DIGGIN' IT?
-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.
Uh huh. Very nice.
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
To have sigs you must have a gamepolitics account(Upper right side of page, right under ECA ad)Upon comleting an account you have the option of adding a signature which will appear at the end of each post. You can change your sig at any time.
-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.
I'm just glad that this is one of the only game blame stories we're hearing, what with all the shit on the news, the Youtube beating, those teenage girls blowing up that house resulting in a man dying...It's good that this is all we're getting.
-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.
He's lying, just like Devin Moore and Lionel Tate before him.
Anywho, where the hell IS Jack Thompson? First he doesn't claim fame for the site crash that led to this new design, then he doesn't show up to the party when everything get's remodeled, and now this...I'm starting to feel a little lonely without Jack to poke fun at. I hope Dennis didn't ban him...he was like...the funniest thing here.
-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.
- Tim Kowalenko
Maybe his modem comitted suicide after learning it was an accessory to email server/fax machine murder. It was that or go on a thelma & louise style cross country chase with his coffee machine.
Ahh I just noticed no captcha today! Good news indeed, thanks.
HAHA! DUDE! That's funny as hell.
-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.
Silly Thompson posts a silly wall-o-text.
What does this have to do exactly with this story? You keep saying that video games are the cause for these types of crimes when there is already another backstory here. A "troubled childhood"? Is it too important to blame video games than to realize that (with the most likely scenario) the troubled childhood came first, and then the parents failed in their duty by allowing a troubled kid to play this game? Granted the article doesn't state whether or not the parents bought this (now adult) game for him, or whether he bought it and played it without their knowledge. However, at the same time let's consider the fact that GTA has not had a portion of the game where the player needs to saw someone's neck with a knife while asleep, or something similar. If anything, the closest game to come to that description would be the True Crime series, the main difference being you play as a police officer instead of a criminal. (Granted I prefer playing as an officer.)
Your goals may be admirable (after all, I don't mind protecting kids from content they shouldn't see, but that's up to a parent to decide), but your actions completely undermine everything you try to do because you redicule and marginalize the people that ultimately descide the game industry's fate.
*Note: If this isn't actually Thompson, and rather someone wishing to tarnish his reputation, then that is Thompson's responsibility to find and deal with it, not mine.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians.
If this isn't actually Thompson, and rather someone wishing to tarnish his reputation, then that is Thompson's responsibility to find and deal with it, not mine.
Don't you mean if someone is trying to tarnish his reputation then they're only wasting their time because he does it himself quite well?
The above poster is awarded 1 internets. Please be sure to fill out this affadavit, and send a pint of blood for identity confirmation.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians.
*looks at the phone number* Six-six-six? I KNEW IT!!! He is from Down Below!
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I see the Metropolitian Moron of Miami has been busy this morning by spamming his bulls***.
Jacky Boy, your "sting" is invalid as you are not a law enforcement officer.
Practice what you preach, jabroni: Grow up and get a life.
You of ALL people should recognise Chronic Failure, just look at your legal record.
Put your enthusiasm for your cause to practical use, join the ESA and try to influence the system from within. Direct them towards a more vocal and educational standpoint to tell parents about these issues because it is THAT which is the true defining factor in the raising of a child. All your vitriol & certain to fail legal challenges only make people ignore the good parts of what you say
.
I see the Metropolitian Moron of Miami has been busy this morning by spamming his bulls***.
Jacky Boy, your "sting" is invalid as you are not a law enforcement officer.
Practice what you preach, jabroni: Grow up and get a life.
Dennis, get rid of that stupid CAPTCHA crap. Half the time you can't tell what the letters or numbers are.
Register with the site and it isn't a problem.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians.
get rid of that stupid CAPTCHA crap
At least it isn't rapidshare, but I do find the caps bit is the most annoying part of this one(G or a 6? O or a 0? WTF, is that a small c... ETC.) And a refresh/reload would be nice.Immediate News Release – May 10, 2008
Sting on Best Buy:
15-Year-Old Buys Grand Theft Auto IV with No Parent in Sight and No Check of Age I.D.
The last several weeks have seen more worldwide news coverage surrounding the April 29 release date of the Mature-rated, pornographic, hyper-violent Grand Theft Auto IV cop-killing video game than any other video game in history.
Every single video game retailer in the world knows that this is the most controversial video game ever, and it should know the danger of selling this pornographic game which constitutes “sexual material harmful to minors” to anyone underage.
Best Buy is currently being sued by Miami attorney and anti-violent/porn video game activist Jack Thompson for its chronic failure to enforce its video game age ID-checking “policy” Thompson sued Best Buy three years ago and compelled it by his suit to check age IDs of anyone appearing to be 21 years of age or younger in order to catch anyone under 17. Since then, Thompson has repeatedly proven that Best Buy does not enforce its “policy.” Despite this, Best Buy’s CEO, Brian Dunn, brazenly states at its corporate web site, BestBuy.com, that it strictly adheres to this policy.
Bull.
Today, Saturday, May 20, 2008, at 5:10 pm, a 15-year-old boy walked up to check-out register #6 at the Dadeland Store #557 Best Buy store and purchased, no questions asked, no age ID asked for, no parent in sight, a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV from “Iris.” Ten minutes later, “Customer Experience Manager” Camy Gomez was informed that his store, once again, had broken its solemn promise to American parents to strictly enforce its video game purchase age ID “policy.” Quite the “Customer Experience.” Mr. Gomez said that “Iris” would be reprimanded. Mr. Gomez was informed that GameStop fires, on the spot, any clerk violating its age ID policy. The store manager is fired instantly as well. Mr. Gomez looked worried. He should. Affidavits are being prepared this moment.
The greatest lie told today in the American retail industry is the lie that video game retailers are uniformly checking age IDs of kids buying “Mature-rated” video games.
This sting today is hugely useful to Jack Thompson in his suit against Best Buy. It is beyond disastrous for the video game industry, especially Take-Two Interactive Software. Thompson met one year ago this week with Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick and begged him to stop marketing and selling his company’s “Mature” games to underage kids. Thompson told him that all Take-Two had to do to get legislators and family groups off his back was to tell retailers caught selling Take-Two’s “Mature” games to kids that product would be withheld from the offending retailers. Zelnick laughed and said he would sell his “fine art” to whomever he wanted to sellit, citing his previous leadership in the music business of marketing and selling raunchy rap music to other parents’ kids.
Prediction: Mr. Zelnick, along with his company, will eventually be convicted of interstate trafficking in pornography to minors. This sting today is simply the latest nail in this scofflaw company’s coffin.
Contact Jack Thompson for more information at 305-666-4366, amendmentone@comcast.net.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Thank you for providing the e-mail. I have sent an e-mail to Jack. The very same e-mail I posted in a J.T. topic some weeks ago. Here is to the hopes he takes it seriously. *raises a wine glass*
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
He didn't take it seriously. Oh, well. See "E-mail to Jack Thompson" for details.
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I love how when a gamer tells him he's played games his whole life and has never even thought about killing any one, that he's a statistic of one and has no real bearing on society as a whole
how ever, when his son goes and perchases a game without being age checked, it's proof that all of bestbuy is selling this game without doing age checks
VERIFIED/SWORN STATEMENT OF
JOHN B. THOMPSON
My name is John B. Thompson. I am a resident of Miami-Dade County, Florida, a citizen of the United States, more than eighteen years of age, a lawyer in continuous good standing with The Florida Bar for thirty-one years, an officer of the court, and bound and mandated by state and federal misprision of felony statutes to report any crimes of which I am aware.
At approximately five o’clock p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2008, my son, who is fifteen years of age, purchased by himself, with no parent or guardian in sight, a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV rated “Mature” by the Entertainment Software Rating Board at Best Buy Store #557 at Dadeland Station in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida. The point of sale cashier from whom he bought the game, “Iris,” asked for no age identification whatsoever from him. She sold it to him, no questions asked.
This failure to verify the age of my son for this sale violates not only solemn promises made by the video game industry to do so, but it specifically violates Best Buy Chairman Brian Dunn’s streaming video/audio promise made to all Americans at www.bestbuy.com to strictly enforce the age ratings on games.
Further, I sued Best Buy a few years ago because of its chronic refusal and failure to comply with the age ratings on games. As a result of that suit, Best Buy, in writing, agreed to henceforth age ID anyone appearing to be 21 years of age or under. It issued national press releases proclaiming its new strict policy. My son had been able to buy, on his own Grand Theft Auto: Vice City at the age of ten prior to this agreement. Since our solemn written agreement and since Best Buy’s new “policy,” my underage son has been able to buy three other “Mature” games at this very same Best Buy store.
Formal findings by the United States Federal Trade Commission issued last week show that Best Buy is still not uniformly complying with its age verification promises. Elliot Kaplan, who was Best Buy’s record counsel in the aforementioned case is also a director on the national Board of Best Buy. Kaplan has been informed of each and every instance of Best Buy’s violation of its agreement with me and its promises made to American parents. He has obviously done nothing whatsoever effectual to get Best Buy, whose interests he “serves” to comply with its agreements and public promises in these regards. This is shocking, outrageous conduct by an officer of the court, Mr. Kaplan, and his conduct will be shared with the Minnesota and Florida Bars.
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT ALL OF THE FOREGOING FACTS ARE TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE, SO HELP ME GOD.
Signed, John B. Thompson, May 12, 2008
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Very funny, Jack. I'm starting to wonder when you're finally going to realize that no one gives two shits about such things. Either way, I cannot and will not stop haunting your dreams, though you may never remember them, until your little crusade is over beyond the point where it can never be brought back from being over. And, I guess I can play with my food a little bit before I eat it, so I'll say the below to go with your little thing.
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT ALL OF THE FOREGOING FACTS ARE TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE, SO HELP ME GOD.
Signed, Shadow D. Darkman, May 15, 2008
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
Signed, John B. Thompson
Where's the real unsactioned lawyer's signature-
a lawyer in continuous good standing with The Florida Bar for thirty-one years ... I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT ALL OF THE FOREGOING FACTS ARE TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE, SO HELP ME GODI believe this constitutes perjury. You're no longer in good standing as you've been legally SANCTIONED. See, I can type in caps lock too.
Actually, he is in continuous good standing.
It just means he paid his Bar dues on time. Doesn't mean he's honorable or ethical, which he isn't.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 has also updated his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
My only question is how certain people would react if he had read something before doing the killings, like the works of Shakespeare or the bible?
Well there's biblical games. Therefore games were responsible. Therefore GTA4 is for kids & must be banned.
Any shakespearean games? An RPG of Othello would be awesome, you have to manipulate everyone into killing each other without being busted yourself.
Any shakespearean games?
Now that I think of it, I thought I saw something in/on Wired about a MMORPG some college professor made, but I assumed it was a April Fools joke...
Speaking of "jokes," the new comment system is really buggy like with the returns/enters. Sometimes it acts like I entered 2-4 extras when I only did 1 return.OK, the CAPTCHA is EQUALLY as annoying and fustrating as rapidshare.
Nah shakey's stories have always been about the one man at the centre of everything, an MMO would be against the whole spirit of the thing. Using his name on an MMO would be about as insulting as using "Rainbow Six" in the title of Vegas 2
Use the login/register link on the top right, captcha is mercifully disabled when you're registered
Blah blah crud about my flawed and not-legal stings blah blah
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT ALL OF THE FOREGOING FACTS ARE TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE, SO HELP ME GOD.
Jack "Anonymous" Thompson
I loled! Asumming this isn't a troll, too bad the captcha didn't keep him out(or maybe that is why he kept spamming it)....
Dennis,
It looks like the spam filter needs some work. You-know-who is back with his nonsense and he apparently still hasn't learned how to work a computer.
and get the ECA to fix the forums while you poke 'em. You can't register without that stupid charater thing and no text characters are showing up on those backgrounds. ><
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians.
For those doubting whether or not that's Jack, it is. He posted the same foolishness over at JAABLOG.
Also, Dennis, I understand the need for the CAPTCHA anti-spam code, but some of those letters aren't recognizable as any language.
There are multiple posts of the same item, above, because Dennis McCauley has a ridiculous verification system with letters and numbers that are illegible and which obviously gives back false messages that the item has not posted. That\'s his problem, not mine.
(This only applies if this Anon and the previous Anon spammer is John Bruce.)
Hey! Anonymous Coward! Register! What- You got something to hide- You're supposed to post all your personal info: Name, address, phone number, and everything else a phiser would love to have. So said John Bruce "Jack" Thompson!
What a loser coward you are, ya knuckleheaded bum!
(Oh, that actually felt pretty good.
)
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 has also updated his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
There are multiple posts of the same item, above, because Dennis McCauley has a ridiculous verification system with letters and numbers that are illegible and which obviously gives back false messages that the item has not posted. That\'s his problem, not mine.
Those letters are in a crazy moon language, however the comments section of an unrelated topic really isn't the place to post this. Isn't there a folder filling up with John Bruce Thompson filings somewhere? I'm pretty sure there is as you're legally sanctioned at the moment.
'Ineligible,' Mr. Thompson?
Here's something you can do to rectify that: LEARN TO READ.
I did that all in capital letters to help you understand.
Sent an e-mail to JT. Expected civility, and was disappointed, though not surprised. I tried to show his reply, but got spam-flagged.
I am a lost soul, condemned to haunt the dreams of John Bruce "Jack" Thompson until his crusade against video games ends. Someone, please! End my suffering!
I actually just sent him something as well. Not five minutes later, all i got in return was this:
"First of all, I'm not the least bit interested in what a derelict gamer has to say about anything. Do your homework.
For some reason he likes to do stings with rockstar's games, as if it's somehow their fault that a random Best Buy employee isn't following the ESRB.
Best Buy says it'll enforce the policy, so yeah, they are in the wrong and reprimanding the employee may well be necessary. But JT, dude, seriously, lighten up. This doesn't do anything but show that one person at Best Buy made a mistake, and you're making it sound like it's a signal of the second coming of Christ, who will with a wave of his hands reduce all Best Buys to rubble and build churches or something over them. You're welcome to whine to the manager, but the last FTC statistics show that the ESRB has better enforcement than MPAA and RIAA ratings - so this probably isn't a deep conspiracy to let Best Buy skirt the ratings enforcement process.