17-year-old Daniel Petric, who we talked about last week, is currently on trial for the murder of his mother and attempted murder of his father after they banned him from playing Halo 3. After claiming stress and insanity, it seems that the good ol' "videogame defense" is coming into play, as Petric's family puts heavy focus on his game playing habits.
Daniel's grandfather, Michael Broeckel, claimed that "Danny was very mild and meek," describing him as a normal teenager, but one with a videogame addiction. His sister Holly stated that "He’d just play (video games) nonstop whenever he could," while a friend revealed he and Daniel would play Halo for up to eighteen hours a day.
Daniel's teenage friend claims that he believes Halo is not the real reason for the murder, citing "tension" between the boy and his father. The father in question, Rev. Marc Petric, has apparently completely forgiven his son for murdering his wife and trying to kill him. The family appears to be sympathizing with Daniel, who they claim is "remorseful."
The defense team has argued that Daniel was insane at first, then claimed he was stressed. Now the defense hinges on the claim that this attack was not premeditated. So far, the usual gang of anti-game lobbyist(s) are yet to jump on the case.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:40 AM on 12.17.2008
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Hahahaha.... Fucking awesome.
Also, what the FUCK.
Fixed that. Having a brain cramp.
THEY shot his mother in the face.
Yea, it's not like his parents should have thought something was wrong with their kid playing a game for 18 hours a day. It's not like they have the authority to tell him to stop and do something else like read a book or something.
And as far as the father forgiving his kid, he did for selfish reasons. If he blames the kid, then the blame comes full circle back to him for not being a good parent. If he says that he forgives him and blames a game, then in his mind it isn't his fault.
Did that sound harsh? I don't really care because I didn't shoot my parents and didn't play Halo 3. Which actually means I'm quite an intelligent human being.
Plenty of us could be considered to be addicted to games. Hell, how many of you have called out sick just to do a marathon of gaming?
Yet, we don't go out murdering people because of it. Some people are just fucked in the head and happen to like gaming. Games didn't screw them up.
Losers.
I lolled.
In Spain, we've got the Katana killer boy, one that all the media said that killing his parents and his little sister was caused by videogames, specially Final Fantasy VIII (WTF?!).
A psycho it's a psycho!
hmmm... if he just killed them over them taking halo away from him, what would've happened if his xbox red ringed? how many more people must be killed microsoft? FIX THE PROBLEM.
Except daddy, but I'm guessing that he takes the Rev. in front of his name quite seriously.
Sure he tried to off them both, but it doesnt matter.
Seriously who forgives someone for murdering their wife and trying to murder them. This kids dad is crazy... I guess it'd be a really hard situation though.