Video Game Murder

As seen on Netscape News from CNN here a 20 year old man was convicted of killing 2 cops and a dispatcher when he was 18. He plead not guilty and sought to blame his actions on the Grand Theft Auto video game series. His conviction pleased the family and friends of the victims. Their feelings resulting from correct justice are understandable.

What I do not quite understand is why they are suing the manufacturers of the Grand Theft Auto game. If the court of law does not accept that the game caused the actions of the young man, then why should a civil court. If they accept in civil court that the game was a cause for his actions, then the criminal court should as well. I understand the differences in burden of proof, but really, in some elements, the two must be inextricably linked. I believe that this is one of these cases.

The text of the original article is also posted below:

Video Game Player Guilty in Ala. Slaying
By JAY REEVES
FAYETTE, Ala.
(AP) - A 20-year-old whose lawyers claimed the video game ``Grand Theft Auto''
and childhood abuse caused him to kill three small-town police officers was
convicted Tuesday of capital murder. The jury deliberated for just over an hour
before convicting Devin Moore. Jurors were to return Wednesday to begin the
sentencing phase. Moore could face the death penalty. Defense lawyers had partly
blamed Moore's actions on the hours he spent playing video games from the
``Grand Theft Auto'' series, in which players shoot police officers and steal
cars.

While the judge barred jurors from hearing testimony linking the 2003
shootings to the game, defense lawyer Jim Standridge reminded them that Moore,
after his arrest, told police ``Life is a video game; everybody has to die
sometime.''

Moore had pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental defect.

His family and friends left court without comment, while the victims'
relatives and friends gathered to hug and thank prosecutors.

Prosecutor Lyn Durham said Tuesday that Moore knew what he was doing when
he grabbed a patrolman's gun and killed two officers and a radio dispatcher.
``And he knew it was wrong,'' she said.

Officers had taken Moore to police headquarters for booking on a stolen
auto charge. Authorities said Moore, who was 18 at the time, grabbed one of the
officer's guns and fatally shot all three victims in the head before fleeing in
a patrol car.

The victims' families have filed a civil suit against the video game
manufacturer and two stores, claiming Moore killed the three after repeatedly
playing ``Grand Theft Auto III'' and ``Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.'' No trial
date has been set in the civil lawsuit.

A spokesman for Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., parent company of
``Grand Theft Auto'' manufacturer Rockstar Games, did not immediately return
calls Tuesday seeking comment.