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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.


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32 comments | showing # 1 to 32

Satsumomo's Avatar
Satsumomo at 06/29/2009 08:28
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
Diverse at 06/29/2009 08:29
The only system worth killing someone over is the Dreamcast.
Bigmoose85's Avatar
Bigmoose85 at 06/29/2009 08:32
@ Diverse

damn right
Vrynix's Avatar
Vrynix at 06/29/2009 08:33
What mystifies me is how the mother can think that someone who killed her son is a good kid nonetheless.
Diverse's Avatar
Diverse at 06/29/2009 08:36
@Satsumomo He got so many years for attempted murder because he attempted to kill more than one person.
Takeshi's Avatar
Takeshi at 06/29/2009 08:37
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
Volomon at 06/29/2009 08:45
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
justiceface at 06/29/2009 08:49
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
Volomon at 06/29/2009 08:53
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
PhazonYoshi at 06/29/2009 09:10
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
UglyDuck at 06/29/2009 09:19
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
Chronic Logic at 06/29/2009 09:21
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
Jim Sterling at 06/29/2009 09:26
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
Chronic Logic at 06/29/2009 09:30
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
Jim Sterling at 06/29/2009 09:45
That can be explained in one word: Religion.
Blasto's Avatar
Blasto at 06/29/2009 09:49
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
lastdual at 06/29/2009 09:50
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
Black Nexus at 06/29/2009 10:06
So I'm adding california to the list places I'm never visiting.
mix's Avatar
mix at 06/29/2009 10:15
@Jim

I guess that one words works too as I was going to say: Retarded!
GoldenGamerXero's Avatar
GoldenGamerXero at 06/29/2009 10:41
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
Kaliber at 06/29/2009 10:48
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
TheStripe at 06/29/2009 11:02
Fuck California
Necro BABS's Avatar
Necro BABS at 06/29/2009 11:26
I live in a wonderful state...
Havoc Fang's Avatar
Havoc Fang at 06/29/2009 11:32
...Right. In before 'BAN THE SONY'.
RAB's Avatar
RAB at 06/29/2009 12:11
I knew a guy who knew a guy who had a cousin who got shot over a VCR.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 06/29/2009 12:14
This is not even over a current gen console!
harrmonica's Avatar
harrmonica at 06/29/2009 12:53
i know, have some sense man, at least kill someone over a ps3 or xbox elite.
akathatoneguy's Avatar
akathatoneguy at 06/29/2009 13:06
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
Usedtabe at 06/29/2009 13:12
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
Jon B at 06/29/2009 13:47
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
LsTr Of SmG at 06/29/2009 14:50
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
Hoss at 06/30/2009 03:56
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
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