http://www.courttv.com/trials/flemons/102406_background_ctv.html

So... this guy snaps under constant bullying form his co-workers and kills one of them... with a homemade samurai sword.  He's a schitzophrenic with a bit of a history, he's into Santeria, Voodoo, parapsychology, spiritualism and all manner of other things... oh yeah, and D&D.

So, what do they pick on to blame? What do they call the murder trial they're televising?

'The D&D Murder'.

Uh huh...

You know what?

Fucking excellent.

I'm sick and tired of simply being regarded as 'a bit weird', of being written off as a nerd, of the 'Lair of the Bthuvian Demon Whore' jokes of the fat sweaty geek variety.  I'd rather, much rather be feared as being a psychotic murderer than written off as a BO perfumed 'Lawn crapper'.

You know when D&D was cool and at its height? When it was being blamed for satanism, murder, ritual sacrifice and induction into cults. When Vampire was at its height? TV specials and alleged connections to ritual murders, bloodletting fetishists and other freaks.  Again, we were cool.

So, I think its a good thing.  In fact the best thing that could ever happen to us would be if Jack Thompson got on his high horse and gave RPGs as much free publicity as he gives computer games. I'm sure Rockstar Games would agree. Make something sound dangerous and, if it isn't already, its the next must have for the kids.

So guys, if you're going to murder anyone, don your wizard's hat, put a d20 in your pocket and make sure to blame it on gaming. Do your bit.

I wish TSR would sue the media for calling it the D&D murder. That has to be libel.

BTW, when some christian fanatic murders someone for being gay or preforming abortions, does the media call it 'the bible murder'?

I suppose if you want to be repsected in america you have to be violent. After all, most media won't print or air anything critical of Islam, or it's founder Mohommad the Liar, because they fear violent retaliation from the religion of peace.

Im of the opinion that the day I decide to quit gaming, Im gonna go down in flames, or just keep playing to piss the "why oh why, are you playing childish games" crowd.

Yeah, you know, the ones who when you say you role-play associate you with a long running joke that was old when you first cracked it, the announcement that you play Dungeons and Dragons still causes ripples of laughter to this day, 10 years later.

Right... now where DID I put that sword...:cool:

Upon reading the article, several things stand out to me:

I think it's legitimate to call it a "D&D murder" based upon several items:

1) Although he is involved in "Santeria, Voodoo, parapsychology, spiritualism and all manner of other things," none of those typically involve using a "38-inch samurai sword" to challenge someone to a duel and then strike them down.  I must concede that I have seen this type of activity, repeatedly, in various D&D games.  Thus, while I find it extremely unfortunate that someone as insane as this man obviously is, I think it's accurate.

2) "Flemons' lawyer says he is schizophrenic with a psychotic obsession with fantasy role-playing games, including Dungeons & Dragons."  That, in itself, creates an immediate "name calling" for the game.  Unfortunate though it is.

3) Knowing how the media choose their article headings, they like to pick the most lurid and emotional of issues and they also like to keep their word count to a minimum.  Frankly, "D&D Murder" fits those criteria much better than "Fantasy Game Murder" or "Samurai Sword Murder" or "Santaria Murder" or even "Schizoid Murder."  Unfortunate, yes, but understandable and typical.

Interestingly, I find several other elements significantly more disturbing:

1) He's being ruled incompetent.  I think if he's competent enough to make a sword and then challenge someone to a duel, murder them in cold blood with cold steel and then calmly buy a beer and a cigarette and wait for the cops, then he's about as competent as I can imagine.  

2) It's only considered "second degree murder."  Now that one really baffles me.

I've been labeled an "idealist."  In my "ideal world" this guy would have had a trial the next day, been found guilty (no one is actually denying that he did it, thus, he's guilty), hung and his body donated to science.  

Ayup.  That'd be the ideal situation.  Oh, and whatever he owned would be sold and the proceeds given to the family of the victim.

I got your sword....right here...
:minesbigger:

It's nothing new. The media has for decades tried to blame things on pop culture to sell papers. Whether it's D&D or Ozzy Osbourne.

I've always said it that the best thing that could possibly happen to our hobby would be for it to be something that scared parents into thinking their kids would grow up to be Satanists again; rather than scaring parents into thinking their kids will grow up to be 38 year old virgins that will still be living in their basement.

RPGPundit

We must have a different definition o fthe word best, as I can think of lots of alternatives better than either of those.

No, see, cause if your parents think D&D is satanic, the typical teen will want to play it.

If your parents are worried you will end up a 38 year old virgin, the typical teen will agree with them and not want to touch it with a ten foot pole.

RPGPundit

I have yet to see a parent who is actually _scared_ that the virginal state of his/her spawn is prolonged...

If RpgNet's Darth Tang is to be believed, there was also an attempted Shadowrun murder. It looks like D&D fans still kick Shadowrun fans' arses. Yay us !

Quote from: SosthenesI have yet to see a parent who is actually _scared_ that the virginal state of his/her spawn is prolonged...

Hey, if my kid is having sex at 13, I'd be very concerned for them.

If they WEREN'T having sex at 30, I'd be very very concerned for them.

And if they were still living in my basement at that age, I'd be very very very concerned for me.


RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditHey, if my kid is having sex at 13, I'd be very concerned for them.

If they WEREN'T having sex at 30, I'd be very very concerned for them.

And if they were still living in my basement at that age, I'd be very very very concerned for me.

Obviously you've never met an Italian mother.

:rimshot:

BTW, the Fark Thread on the murder trial is quite funny at times...