Teen Blames Theft Spree On 'Grand Theft Auto' Video Game
11-14-02, 11:19 AM
#1
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Glendale, next to L.A.
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Teen Blames Theft Spree On 'Grand Theft Auto' Video Game
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/1785734/deta...111142002&ts=H
Police Say 19-Year-Old Says Committing Crimes Was Fun
POSTED: 10:32 a.m. EST November 14, 2002
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Blame it on the video game.
A Wisconsin teen has told police the video game "Grand Theft Auto" inspired him to go steal cars.
The 19-year-old, Micah Zoerner, is charged with numerous counts of theft, burglary and auto theft involving about 100 vehicles. Two other teens were caught as well but have not been charged.
The teen was caught last week when police allegedly saw him breaking into vehicles at an apartment complex. Detectives said he told them he was inspired by the video game -- in which characters steal cars from parking garages and other areas.
A local town's police chief said the teen said actually going out and committing the crimes was "fun." The chief said he hopes the teen will rethink the meaning of the word.
You see it's true!
I think the main problem is that this kid has very little moral values. This game just gave him the incentive to go out and steal cars. But I really think that video games can affect someones judgement, especially if they are playing all the time.
Chris
Police Say 19-Year-Old Says Committing Crimes Was Fun
POSTED: 10:32 a.m. EST November 14, 2002
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Blame it on the video game.
A Wisconsin teen has told police the video game "Grand Theft Auto" inspired him to go steal cars.
The 19-year-old, Micah Zoerner, is charged with numerous counts of theft, burglary and auto theft involving about 100 vehicles. Two other teens were caught as well but have not been charged.
The teen was caught last week when police allegedly saw him breaking into vehicles at an apartment complex. Detectives said he told them he was inspired by the video game -- in which characters steal cars from parking garages and other areas.
A local town's police chief said the teen said actually going out and committing the crimes was "fun." The chief said he hopes the teen will rethink the meaning of the word.
You see it's true!
I think the main problem is that this kid has very little moral values. This game just gave him the incentive to go out and steal cars. But I really think that video games can affect someones judgement, especially if they are playing all the time.
Chris
11-14-02, 11:29 AM
#4
DVD Talk Godfather
"I am a GOLDEN GOD!"
No, seriously. It's the parents. It always is. 99.9% of the time these people are messed up in the head long before they snap and decide to commit some heinous crime, and then blame it on movies, music and video games.
just a couple of cents worth.
No, seriously. It's the parents. It always is. 99.9% of the time these people are messed up in the head long before they snap and decide to commit some heinous crime, and then blame it on movies, music and video games.
just a couple of cents worth.
11-14-02, 11:46 AM
#8
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm..... I'm an idiot out stealing cars.... I need quick sympathy for what I've done.... I know, I'll blame it on a video game, that always seems to work.
11-14-02, 01:37 PM
#10
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's wrong sport, mommy and daddy didn't want to let you borrow the car?
I hate these fools, they always blame everyone but themselves... if ever I commit a crime, I'm taking the blame like a man, I won't be blaming my parents, video games, God (85 year old woman here beating children blamed God) or anyone else.
I hate these fools, they always blame everyone but themselves... if ever I commit a crime, I'm taking the blame like a man, I won't be blaming my parents, video games, God (85 year old woman here beating children blamed God) or anyone else.
11-14-02, 02:08 PM
#13
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Mukwonago, WI USA
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by jdpatri
Only in Kenosha, WI would they believe this kid...
He ****** up. He knows it and he's obviously trying to blame anyone but himself.
Only in Kenosha, WI would they believe this kid...
He ****** up. He knows it and he's obviously trying to blame anyone but himself.
j/k
But I do live very close and there were stories all over the news about it last night. Really funny stuff...
11-14-02, 03:27 PM
#14
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Willow Grove, PA
Posts: 3,055
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. It has nothing to do with being in WI. In fact, the suburbs (educated, rich white people) are notorius for placing the blame on TV, media, music, guns, Games, books, etc. Usually rural people (accpet for the religious wackos) realize there kids are f'ed up.
2. I am a teacher in the suburbs of Philadelphia, i agree the PARENTS are responsible for 90% of what their offspring do. They search for reason that they (or there offspring) are VICTIMS, so they can pass the blame, and remove any sense of guilt or responsiblity form themselves.
3. How many kids go aro0und jumping on turtles and say "mario made me do it"? none, GTA appeals for the blame game cause of the graphic, semi-releastic violence.
2. I am a teacher in the suburbs of Philadelphia, i agree the PARENTS are responsible for 90% of what their offspring do. They search for reason that they (or there offspring) are VICTIMS, so they can pass the blame, and remove any sense of guilt or responsiblity form themselves.
3. How many kids go aro0und jumping on turtles and say "mario made me do it"? none, GTA appeals for the blame game cause of the graphic, semi-releastic violence.
11-14-02, 07:21 PM
#18
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cedar Lake, IN
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Lenny
You're all overlooking an important fact. This is an adult we're talking about.
You're all overlooking an important fact. This is an adult we're talking about.
11-14-02, 08:38 PM
#20
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Beautiful (sterile) Johnson Co., KS
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Video games are a bad influence. Why just the other day, I caught my copies of GTA3 and GTA: VC teaching my copy of PaRappa the Rapper to smoke!
Seriously, this is a 19 year old. Unless he is mentally retarded he was just looking for an excuse to give his public defender in court.
Seriously, this is a 19 year old. Unless he is mentally retarded he was just looking for an excuse to give his public defender in court.
11-15-02, 07:32 AM
#22
DVD Talk God
Originally posted by ProjectMayhem
Just because he is 19, doesn't make him an adult...
Just because he is 19, doesn't make him an adult...
11-15-02, 08:14 AM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Work. Or commuting. Certainly not at home.
Posts: 17,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quite simply, he's doing two things here:
1) Trying to deflect attention away from what he's done (and trying to elicit some "sympathy", especially from a jury), and
2) Trying to set himself up to sue Rockstar Games or whomever.
1) Trying to deflect attention away from what he's done (and trying to elicit some "sympathy", especially from a jury), and
2) Trying to set himself up to sue Rockstar Games or whomever.
11-15-02, 12:55 PM
#24
great now i know why i finnally like to eat it was all pac man's
fault... you know he kinda look like a round cheese.
yeah but these guys are idiots why not blame it on a game or movie or tv show everyone else does....
fault... you know he kinda look like a round cheese.
yeah but these guys are idiots why not blame it on a game or movie or tv show everyone else does....
11-15-02, 01:12 PM
#25
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why are only POPULAR movies and video games responsible for everyone's criminal/violent/stupid actions? When is someone gonna blame their shooting spree on the Dolph Lundgren movie they saw? Why not kill someone with a candlestick and say Clue made you do it?