GTA Cop Killer Lawsuit - Who's Who

In what could be a landmark case for the video game industry, Strickland vs. Sony is scheduled to begin on Thursday in Fayette County, Alabama. The families of two police officers and a police dispatcher slain by death row inmate Devin Moore are suing Sony, Take-Two, Rockstar, Wal-Mart and GameStop, alleging that Moore's obsessive playing of GTA III and Vice City led to the murders. Miami attorney Jack Thompson is representing the police families.

Yesterday, GamePolitics had exclusive coverage of a surprising motion by the defense team to have Thompson removed from the case. Today, we provide the 411 on who's who in Strickland vs. Sony.

The Judge:

- James Moore is an Alabama Circuit Court Judge, who covers three counties, including Fayette, where the Strickland case will be heard. Moore presided over the August criminal trial of Devin Moore as well. Devin Moore was found guilty and a death sentence was recommended by the jury. Judge Moore affirmed the death sentence and Devin Moore now sits on death row. Perhaps ominously for the Strickland case, Judge Moore did not allow any video game testimony at the criminal trial, despite the defense team's attempt to introduce it. A source familiar with Judge Moore described him to GamePolitics as "old school, conservative and fair but no-nonsense."



Plaintiffs:

- Steve Strickland, brother of slain Fayette officer Arnie Strickland (seen at upper left)

- Willie Crump, father of slain Fayette officer James Crump (seen at left)

- Henry Mealer, surviving family member of slain Fayette dispatcher Ace Mealer

Plaintiffs' Counsel:

- Jack Thompson, no introduction needed, licensed in Florida, serving in Alabama under Pro Hac Vice admission

- Patrick Gray, of Nelson, Dorroh, Gray & Newsome; Tuscaloosa attorney serving as Thompson's local co-counsel, as required under Alabama Bar regulations for Pro Hac Vice admission

Defendants:

- Sony Corporation of America (as manufacturer of PS2 system on which Moore played GTA games)

- Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc (SCEI)

- Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA)

- Take-Two Interactive (as publisher of GTA games)

- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (as retailer of GTA game played by Moore)

- GameStop, Inc (as retailer of GTA game played by Moore)

- Rockstar Games, Inc (as developer of GTA III and Vice City)

- Devin Moore (as killer of decedents)

Defense Counsel:

- James T. Smith, Blank Rome, Philadelphia

- Rebecca D. Ward, Blank Rome, Philadelphia

- Robert R. Baugh, Sirote & Permutt, Birmingham, AL

- Merrell Nolen, Nolen & Nolen, Fayette, AL