Anti-Videogame Attorney Jack Thompson found guilty of 27 out of 31 misconduct charges
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Anti-Videogame Attorney Jack Thompson found guilty of 27 out of 31 misconduct charges
Possibly the greatest news in gaming this month, possibly this year! Next step is sentencing!
For all GamePolitics coverage of the Bar Trial of Jack Thompson, including transcripts, click here.
Jack Thompson Guilty on 27 of 31 Misconduct Charges, Says Bar Trial Judge... FL Supreme Court Must Now Rule
The judge who presided over Jack Thompson's Florida Bar trial late last year has recommended that the controversial attorney be found guilty on 27 of 31 professional misconduct charges. The Florida Supreme Court must now rule on those recommendations.
In a report issued last week, Judge Dava Tunis writes:
Tunis made 21 recommendations of guilt in relation to Thompson's participation in Strickland vs. Sony, an Alabama case in which the anti-game attorney represented the families of two police officers and a police dispatcher slain by 18-year-old Grand Theft Auto player Devin Moore.
Tunis also recommended that Thompson be found guilty on four out of five counts relating to his 2006 attempt to have Rockstar's Bully declared a public nuisance in a case before Miami Judge Ronald Friedman. An additional two guilty counts stemmed from a non-video game matter.
Among the Florida Bar offenses for which Judge Tunis has recommended a guilty verdict:
Judge Tunis's full report to the Florida Supreme Court is due on September 2nd. In the meantime, a disciplinary hearing regarding possible sanctions against Thompson will be held before Judge Tunis on June 4th.
For his part, Thompson has made a number of allegations concerning Judge Tunis, including a complaint that state-mandated loyalty oaths were either not signed by the judge or were signed by others. Thompson also has filed federal lawsuits against the Florida Bar and Florida Supreme Court in relation to the Bar charges and other sanctions.
The judge who presided over Jack Thompson's Florida Bar trial late last year has recommended that the controversial attorney be found guilty on 27 of 31 professional misconduct charges. The Florida Supreme Court must now rule on those recommendations.
In a report issued last week, Judge Dava Tunis writes:
After considering the arguments presented by the Florida Bar and the Respondent (Thompson), observing the Respondent's demeanor during the nine-day trial proceedings, and carefully reviewing the record consisting of four volumes of exhibits totaling 1700 pages and approximately 2400 pages of transcribed testimony, the Court finds that the facts, circumstances and evidence presented regarding the Respondent's conduct, supports a finding of guilt as to certain Florida Bar rules...
Tunis also recommended that Thompson be found guilty on four out of five counts relating to his 2006 attempt to have Rockstar's Bully declared a public nuisance in a case before Miami Judge Ronald Friedman. An additional two guilty counts stemmed from a non-video game matter.
Among the Florida Bar offenses for which Judge Tunis has recommended a guilty verdict:
- Knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal
- Knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal
- Communicating the merits of the case with a judge before whom the proceeding is pending
- Using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay or burden a third person
- Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
- Engaging in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly or through callous indifference disparage or humiliate litigants or other lawyers
- Making statements that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge
Judge Tunis's full report to the Florida Supreme Court is due on September 2nd. In the meantime, a disciplinary hearing regarding possible sanctions against Thompson will be held before Judge Tunis on June 4th.
For his part, Thompson has made a number of allegations concerning Judge Tunis, including a complaint that state-mandated loyalty oaths were either not signed by the judge or were signed by others. Thompson also has filed federal lawsuits against the Florida Bar and Florida Supreme Court in relation to the Bar charges and other sanctions.
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First Elliott Spitzer, now this. 2008 is turning into my year!
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You'd think he'd lose his license, but he won't. He'll get suspended, and that's about it. The bar is extremely reluctant to take away a license for anything other than stealing client's money.
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Awesome. Now if only Uwe Boll would write & direct his life story.
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Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
I think you need to lay off the BullShark Testosterone.
A gta reference in a Jack Thomson thread....nice....very nice
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Audio Alert: SCMRPG Creator Danny Ledonne, Jack Thompson on Web Radio Show Tonight
Danny Ledonne, creator of the controversial Super Columbine Massacre RPG game has posted a message on Facebook concerning a radio interview this evening:
Danny Ledonne, creator of the controversial Super Columbine Massacre RPG game has posted a message on Facebook concerning a radio interview this evening:
On Saturday, May 24th at 7pm EST, Danny Ledonne will appear on Free Talk Live radio to discuss his completed documentary "Playing Columbine: a true story of videogame controversy".
Joining him during the show will be attorney and activist Jack Thompson, one of the interviewees from the film. Ledonne and Thompson have previously appeared separately on the show; Thompson was also the first FTL guest to hang up on the hosts. The upcoming program can be streamed at http://www.freetalklive.com and the archive will be available online as a free .mp3 download after the show.
Joining him during the show will be attorney and activist Jack Thompson, one of the interviewees from the film. Ledonne and Thompson have previously appeared separately on the show; Thompson was also the first FTL guest to hang up on the hosts. The upcoming program can be streamed at http://www.freetalklive.com and the archive will be available online as a free .mp3 download after the show.
This should be funny. I hope they bring up his misconduct charges.
#16
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Jack Thompson walks out on his own hearing. Kotaku article
This guy is too much. It will be a sad day when he is gone because he's always good for a laugh.
This guy is too much. It will be a sad day when he is gone because he's always good for a laugh.
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I couldn't even finish his objection letter. The guy doesn't even go for fact as a weapon he goes for her jugular with "here-say" information that he doesn't even know is true or not, that he claims is a cover up. This man is a whack job. He straight up just says she isn't a judge so she can't judge him . I'm confused because . . if she's on the bench. . . she's a judge. Sorry. Wouldn't walking out like that be considered a form of contempt?
#20
Originally Posted by metalhead212
I couldn't even finish his objection letter. The guy doesn't even go for fact as a weapon he goes for her jugular with "here-say" information that he doesn't even know is true or not, that he claims is a cover up. This man is a whack job. He straight up just says she isn't a judge so she can't judge him . I'm confused because . . if she's on the bench. . . she's a judge. Sorry. Wouldn't walking out like that be considered a form of contempt?
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Penny Arcade dares an opinion:
Jack Thompson hasn't been a fixture around here for quite awhile, largely due to the Beetlejuzian notion that speaking his name might cause him to become corporeal. As is so often the case, it was all "fun and games" until someone contacted the FBI. Specifically, him. I did not want to be Investigated by a Federal Bureau. This had the effect of transforming what had been farce into genuine rage.
Eventually, though, as his behavior became more craven, more incoherent, and more contemptibly vile, it became difficult to stoke an appreciable hatred. That is to say, it was difficult to pile the hatred atop a growing bulb of genuine pity. He increasingly began to reference a divine source for his media campaigns, which made me wonder what other voices he was hearing, and what precisely they were telling him to do. In today's incomparable strip, we posit one source.
This must be entered into the record, though: walking out of your own hearing? Truly, truly epic. I hope I can represent myself with as much vigor when I'm an irascible old coot.
Eventually, though, as his behavior became more craven, more incoherent, and more contemptibly vile, it became difficult to stoke an appreciable hatred. That is to say, it was difficult to pile the hatred atop a growing bulb of genuine pity. He increasingly began to reference a divine source for his media campaigns, which made me wonder what other voices he was hearing, and what precisely they were telling him to do. In today's incomparable strip, we posit one source.
This must be entered into the record, though: walking out of your own hearing? Truly, truly epic. I hope I can represent myself with as much vigor when I'm an irascible old coot.
Last edited by DGibFen; 06-06-08 at 11:02 PM.
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Disbarred!
DISBARRED
In a four-page written order, the Florida Supreme Court today affirmed a referee's recommendation to permanently disbar controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson.
The action means that Thompson is no longer licensed to practicaw and may not apply for reinstatement. Noting not only Thompson's misconduct but that he displayed a "complete lack of remorse," the Court quoted from the report of Judge Dava Tunis, who served as referee at Thompson's 2007 trial on charges brought by the Florida Bar:
(more to follow)
http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/09/25/disbarred
Drinks on me, fellas! This is a good day!
In a four-page written order, the Florida Supreme Court today affirmed a referee's recommendation to permanently disbar controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson.
The action means that Thompson is no longer licensed to practicaw and may not apply for reinstatement. Noting not only Thompson's misconduct but that he displayed a "complete lack of remorse," the Court quoted from the report of Judge Dava Tunis, who served as referee at Thompson's 2007 trial on charges brought by the Florida Bar:
In her report, the referee states: Over a very extended period of time involving a number of totally unrelated cases and individuals, [r]espondent has demonstrated a pattern of conduct to strike out harshly, extensively, repeatedly and willfully to simply try to bring as much difficulty, distraction and anguish to those he considers in opposition to his causes. He does not proceed within the guidelines of appropriate professional behavior, but rather uses other means available to intimidate, harass, or bring public disrepute to those whom he perceives oppose him.
(more to follow)
Drinks on me, fellas! This is a good day!
#25
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His Florida Bar listing says that although he's disbarred, he's still a "member in good standing" and "eligible to practice in Flordia." What the hell?
http://www.floridabar.org/names.nsf/...B?OpenDocument
http://www.floridabar.org/names.nsf/...B?OpenDocument