Quantcast


Man gets life for killing over a PlayStation 2 photo

Ex-Fresno State student and gun fan Jonquel Brooks has been given life in prison following an attack on four men who accused him of stealing a PlayStation 2. On May 7, 2007, Brooks was approached by group who maintained that he stole the system, and to prove that he's not a man with criminal inclinations, he shot them, killing one and hitting two others.

Brooks still claims he never stole the PS2, and no evidence was found at his house, though to be fair that's the last of his troubles. He also states that the killing was in self defense, but the prosecution alleged that he was known for "flashing a gun" as well as dealing drugs, and that he went to extreme lengths in his "self defense."

The mother of the dead man (Brant Daniels), forgave Brooks, calling him a "good kid who made the wrong choice." He'll be spending 25 years in jail for the murder, another 25 for using the gun, and an extra 59 years and four months for the attempted murder of the other men. 

If anybody is interested in a PS2, I've been trying to get rid of this spare one for a couple of years.








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

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. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

33 comments | showing # 1 to 33
prev next

Satsumomo's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:28
Satsumomo
25 years for murder, 59 for attempted murder? I'll always make sure I kill whoever I threaten with a gun now.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:29
Diverse
The only system worth killing someone over is the Dreamcast.
Vrynix's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:33
Vrynix
What mystifies me is how the mother can think that someone who killed her son is a good kid nonetheless.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:36
Diverse
@Satsumomo He got so many years for attempted murder because he attempted to kill more than one person.
Takeshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:37
Takeshi
I though everybody already had a PS2. Or two. Or three. So thanks for the offer Jim but no, I've got enough PS2's.
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:45
Volomon
If you guys read into it. He goes to prison because California has nothing in the laws regarding the Castle Doctrine. Meaning if someone invades your home in California and attempts to kill you or attack you. You have to retreat and attempt to call 911 first, or be in immanent and deadly danger. Which means you have to be in the processes of being attacked and murdered before you can defend yourself.

This includes being attacked on the streets. It is your duty in California to retreat to survive. You have no rights in California to defend yourself if you are not receiving immediate deadly force.

As most people are aware it usually only takes one stab, one shot, and sometimes one punch to cripple or kill you.

It's a sad fact of life for California, and I feel sorry for everyone who lives there.

(I AM NOT A LAWYER NO LEGAL ADVICE OR OPINION HAS BEEN GIVEN.)
justiceface's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:49
justiceface
So the guy that shoots his mother over halo gets a slap on the wrist. They call him a troubled youth with an addiction problem and he goes on his merry way.

This guy shoots people that threaten him and gets sentenced to 25 years to life. But this makes since because he sells drugs and flashes guns according to witnesses. not that they found any hard evidence of either of those claims. But who needs silly things like evidence when all you have to do is look at the guy.
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 08:53
Volomon
Also I have to say this kids lawyer had to of been a public defender or something.

"alleged that he was known for "flashing a gun" as well as dealing drugs, and that he went to extreme lengths in his "self defense.""

Character witnesses based on speculation? Allegations that appear to be based on nothing or hearsay in a criminal proceeding? No one else thinks that's fishy? This case might even be politically motivated, because in any other state this kid wouldn't have even been held or arrested. Probably barely even questioned. Normally when someone comes to you house with entourage in tow trying to get into your house, most likely by physical means. You can shoot them.

Hell a guy got acquitted for killing a 5 year old who came in his house unannounced. I have a hard time with this one.

He's most likely got some grounds for an appeal, if he can afford it.

(I AM NOT A LAWYER NO LEGAL ADVICE OR OPINION HAS BEEN GIVEN.)
PhazonYoshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:10
PhazonYoshi
Hang on. He's allowed to own a gun, but using it is as bad as murder?

And trying to kill a few people and failing is twice as bad as actually killing somebody. What the fuck is wrong with... I'd say America's, but it happens here too. What the fuck is wrong with institutionalised justice.
UglyDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:19
UglyDuck
Fuck. Maybe i'm reading it wrong, but I don't like the sound of that trial. Gonna have to go with what Volomon said.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:21
Chronic Logic
Holy fucking shit, he got more years for attempted murder than the actual murder?! Remember folks, if you're going to kill someone, make sure you kill them completely. Don't half ass the effort. Did you riddle his body full of holes? Put one between the eyes just for good measures.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:26
Jim Sterling
Chronic: Well, he attempted to kill three people, and each charge has its own sentence. So, cumulatively, he'll get more years than the one count of murder.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:30
Chronic Logic
Ah, I see.

Aso, what's up with the mother? She forgives the kid because he's good? Good kids don't wave their guns around, deal drugs, and kill people.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:45
Jim Sterling
That can be explained in one word: Religion.
Blasto's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:49
Blasto
Thanks for the tip on not moving to Cali if Volomon is correct. While I don't own a gun, if any motherfucker comes into my "castle" threatening my loved ones (myself included, I love me) that bitch is getting a pair of scissors stuck in his eye or some shit. That's fucking ridiculous.
lastdual's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 09:50
lastdual
He was a dumbass to continue shooting at the guys as they were running away. I can understand firing at somebody who busts into your house, but when you continue shooting at them away while they're running for their lives, at that point you're just asking for a prison sentence.
Black Nexus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 10:06
Black Nexus
So I'm adding california to the list places I'm never visiting.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 10:15
mix
@Jim

I guess that one words works too as I was going to say: Retarded!
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 10:41
GoldenGamerXero
So they gang up on HIM and then he gets in jail. WTF!

@Justiceface

I made a blog about that kid. He got sentensed to life to and Parole in 23 years if he's lucky.
Kaliber's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 10:48
Kaliber
it's 25 years for murder and about 20 for each of the other attempted murders. It makes sense.

Also, it most likely wasn't over his Ps2, more the principle of them 4 dudes trying to hustle him out of something, he obviously wasn't gonna take any shit, I know I wouldn't just let some guys accuse me of stealing and then steal from me. But I guess the out of context 'Killing over a PlayStation 2' gets more readers..
TheStripe's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 11:02
TheStripe
Fuck California
Necro BABS's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 11:26
Necro BABS
I live in a wonderful state...
Havoc Fang's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 11:32
Havoc Fang
...Right. In before 'BAN THE SONY'.
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 12:11
RAB
I knew a guy who knew a guy who had a cousin who got shot over a VCR.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 12:14
Holyetheline
This is not even over a current gen console!
harrmonica's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 12:53
harrmonica
i know, have some sense man, at least kill someone over a ps3 or xbox elite.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 13:06
akathatoneguy
Unless you guys are reading details of the trial that weren't found in that link, why are you assuming that he was being truly threatened by the four men that came to his house. I saw nothing saying, "the four men broke into his home, roughed him up and threatened to fuck his ass before he shot them" in the article.

If you come over to my place talking shit after I let you in, what's to stop me from shooting you and claiming that you attacked me? You're the only other person who was there, and you're dead, so who's going to say it's not the truth? Until I saw more details of what happened, I'd reserve judgement if I was you guys.
Usedtabe's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 13:12
Usedtabe
Sorry, but if 4 dudes bust in my house and threaten me over an accused theft, I will put a gun in their face too. IF they continue after that, or do not leave, they will be shot. But, I luckily live in Texas where we have a castle doctrine, and I have the right to defend myself/family in my own home. Fuck California.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 13:47
Jon B
I need a PS2! =D

But nah seriously, isn't this self defense? Nonetheless, this makes me glad that guns aren't legal in the UK.
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2009 14:50
LsTr Of SmG
Hmmm, with the given facts this sounds like self defense to me, he may have gone overboard but that doesn't justify the amount of jailtime he's been handed.

In this case from the facts given the punishment doesn't fit the crime.
Hoss's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2009 03:56
Hoss
oh please... CA is fine

just dont hang out with sketchy people... where i live

this is the second time my area has been mentioned on here... atleast no katana was involved this time
elizadavid's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/01/2010 02:46
elizadavid
I know we've all seen enough cheesy cop movies to think that we're good enough under pressure to shoot someone's kneecap in the midst of a high-pressure situation. But you're not. If you have a firearm and you receive training for it, you're taught to only use it if it's a life or death situation and, if it is, to shoot to kill.

acekard
Crooked Fresno's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2011 16:25
Crooked Fresno
One thing you have to remember in Fresno, CA the Fresno County DA will prosecute it's citizens on half truths, they never proved he ever showed his gun in public, nor was it ever proven he dealt drugs.
You also have to realize when you put your fate in the hands of the Fresno County Public Defenders Office that you will ultimately loose, the attorney he had has never really won a case, and she has been there forever, and it's been widely known that her character would be very questionable and might have made deals just to keep herself out of trouble. It's plain and simple if they thought this guy had stole he Play Station call a cop, report it. The pushed their way into his residence and theatened him, they got shot? Wouldn't you defend your home. In Fresno calling 911, they might put you on hold. This is not a friendly town, and the the attorneys in Fresno, CA are all in bed together, thet make back room deals every day, and protect each other.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!