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A shocking development took place today in what, for the video game industry, is the trial of the young century.
In Strickland vs. Sony, the families of two police officers and a police dispatcher killed by Grand Theft Auto player Devin Moore are suing Sony, Take-Two, Rockstar, Wal-Mart, GameStop for damages, based on the premise that GTA turned Moore into a triple murderer. The plaintiffs were led by controversial anti-game crusader Jack Thompson.
GP readers may recall that on November 3rd a hearing was held on pre-trial motions in the case before Circuit Court Judge James Moore in Fayette County, Alabama, where the murders occurred.
During that hearing, attorneys for the video game industry argued that Thompson's Pro Hac Vice (visiting) admission to the Alabama Bar should be revoked for a variety of alleged misconduct on Thompson's part. Although the defense claims about Thompson seemed to resonate with the Judge, he did not rule at that time.
Three days later, Thompson, by then back in Florida, surprised the gaming world by announcing that he was withdrawing from the case.
"The other side wants to make me the issue," he told GamePolitics at the time. The important thing is that the clients be served."
It appeared at that point that Thompson's longtime colleague Ray Reiser would take over for him in Strickland. Today, however, in a blistering 18-page decision, Judge Moore excoriated Thompson's professional conduct, and rejected his attempt to withdraw from the case. Instead, the Judge revoked Thompson's Pro Hac Vice admission, essentially removing him from the case. Judge Moore also noted that he was referring the matter to the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama Bar for "appropriate action."
Judge Moore employed quite stern language in his ruling. His remarks include, "Mr. Thompson's actions before this Court suggest that he is unable to conduct himself in a manner befitting practice in this state."
For his part, Thompson has responded with an angry letter to Alabama's Judicial Inquiry Commission, questioning Judge Moore's ethics. Thompson's letter begins:
"I have had the disturbing experience of appearing before the above jurist in a high-profile wrongful death action, Strickland v. Sony... In my opinion, Judge Moore has violated...the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics by his unfortunate, improper, and prejudicial acts in this case, at the expense of three bereaved Alabama families."
UPDATE, Nov. 19th / 8:05 AM: The Tuscaloosa News has coverage in this morning's edition.
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November 18 2005, 20:55:54 UTC 6 years ago
November 18 2005, 20:57:34 UTC 6 years ago
Very Nice.
I most certainly concur.Wasn't he leaving anyways? I wonder... Did he go back on that, or was this something akin to, "You can't quit - you're fired!"?
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November 18 2005, 20:56:45 UTC 6 years ago
:D
November 18 2005, 20:57:14 UTC 6 years ago
:D
November 18 2005, 20:57:09 UTC 6 years ago
Wait... what?
Didn't he just drop out a while back?November 18 2005, 20:59:29 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Wait... what?
He lied maybe? This is why we need details.6 years ago
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November 18 2005, 20:57:21 UTC 6 years ago
w00000000000t!!!!!
November 18 2005, 20:57:59 UTC 6 years ago
November 18 2005, 20:59:27 UTC 6 years ago
Fie on you!
November 18 2005, 20:59:45 UTC 6 years ago
November 18 2005, 21:02:03 UTC 6 years ago
Where's Da Beef!?
I want to read the judge's reasoning for throwing Thompson off. This guy seems the type to not hold anything back, as was indicated by their 'squaring' off on day-one for this case.This, if anything, will be a slap in the face to Thompson.
November 18 2005, 21:03:55 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Where's Da Beef!?
My thoughts exactly, both on his reputation and the judge's reasoning. Guess we have to wait for the details...6 years ago
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November 18 2005, 21:04:41 UTC 6 years ago
You know...
You know he's going to blame it on "far left judges" and "murder simulator apologists".November 19 2005, 00:57:28 UTC 6 years ago
Re: You know...
except that Roy Moore is pretty right-of-center. IIRC he was the guy who tried to keep the Ten Commandments in court.November 18 2005, 21:05:07 UTC 6 years ago
Jack the predictable
I can hear him now. Of course the judge is in ESRB's pockets, and this is an affront to all moral christians everywhere, the appocalypse draws neigh, yudda yudda yudda.November 18 2005, 22:14:53 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Jack the predictable
He was already pretty bitchy because Judge Moore wouldn't let him use "games made me do it" defense during the criminal trial.I seem to recall Jack vowing that this time he had "experts" to prove to the judge it was a valid defense. Guess he won't get the opportunity himself. :)
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November 18 2005, 21:08:44 UTC 6 years ago
November 18 2005, 21:09:21 UTC 6 years ago
*Scratches his head*
I'm confused. Didn't he leave the case willingly? Or does this mean he can't testify as an "expert" witness?November 18 2005, 21:10:45 UTC 6 years ago
Re: *Scratches his head*
Why do I feel like I just saw the teaser trailer for a really bad-ass movie that cut out about half-way through?6 years ago
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November 18 2005, 21:10:45 UTC 6 years ago
Will there be a complaint filed with the Bar?
November 19 2005, 02:28:52 UTC 6 years ago
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November 18 2005, 21:15:20 UTC 6 years ago
OWNED
Dear Jack Thompson,Suck it.
Sincerely,
Aceofwilds
November 18 2005, 21:19:16 UTC 6 years ago
Re: OWNED
I'm sure Jack's outlook includes a file titled "suck it"6 years ago
November 18 2005, 21:21:34 UTC 6 years ago
Anonymous
November 18 2005, 21:31:27 UTC 6 years ago
--Joe Marino
November 18 2005, 21:22:01 UTC 6 years ago
I am shocked
Bye bye, Litigation Terrorist--go back to your cozy lil' malpractice in Coral Gables.-MDS
November 18 2005, 21:41:39 UTC 6 years ago
and also...
YOU'RE filing a bar bitch on the JUDGE? "Hello Kettle, this is Pot--you're black."I can't wait to see Judge Moore's opinion--Jack, your entire career is going to be studied by law school ethics students as a model of what NOT to do. Your sketchy tactics will be the subject of law review and journal articles (and NOT in a good way). Perhaps I'll write one of these (and I won't spend the first 15 pages talking about what a "special" child I was and how mommy and daddy paid my way through school).
I trust Dennis is, at this moment, looking to get a scan of Judge Moore's well-reasoned opinion and Laddy Jack's irrational response.
-MDS
November 18 2005, 21:22:09 UTC 6 years ago
In the words of Cartman....
HA HA HA HA HAHA....we're better than Jack...HA HA HA HA HAHA
Screw you guys, I'm going to go play WoW
:D
November 18 2005, 21:22:44 UTC 6 years ago
And that's a wrap.
*insert witty retort here*I'm pretty sure that we all saw this coming. One can only chase the ambulance for so long before getting struck down in traffic.
November 18 2005, 21:26:18 UTC 6 years ago
November 18 2005, 21:26:39 UTC 6 years ago
Jack Lied
So he didn't actually withdraw.Looks like Jack lied to us.
Color me surprised :p
November 18 2005, 21:39:53 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Jack Lied
Today, however, in a blistering 18-page decision, Judge Moore excoriated Thompson's professional conduct, and rejected his attempt to withdraw from the case. Instead, the Judge revoked Thompson's Pro Hac Vice admission, essentiually removing him from the case.Andrew Eisen
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November 18 2005, 21:28:43 UTC 6 years ago
Hey Dennis
The "Withdrawn" hyperlink is dead.November 18 2005, 21:35:25 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Hey Dennis
It's not dead, just FUBAR'd.Mouse over it and pull out the real URL.
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November 18 2005, 21:29:11 UTC 6 years ago
We knew it
"Today, however, in a blistering 18-page decision, Judge Moore excoriated Thompson's professional conduct, and rejected his attempt to withdraw from the case. Instead, the Judge revoked Thompson's Pro Hac Vice admission, essentiually removing him from the case."HAHA!
"Thompson has respnded with a letter to Alabama's Judicial Inquiry Commission, questioning Judge Moore's ethics."
Oh big fecking surprise. DUUUUR, I aren't not an idiot, it must be teh Judge's fault!! DUUUUR.
Goddamn retard.
November 18 2005, 23:32:34 UTC 6 years ago
Re: We knew it
Hey, my retarded friends would be offended by that! (partly a shot at Jack, partly true)November 18 2005, 21:29:43 UTC 6 years ago
*clears throat*
It appeared that Thompson's longtime friend and colleague Ray Reiser would take over for him in the Strickland case.Today, however, in a blistering 18-page decision, Judge Moore excoriated Thompson's professional conduct, and rejected his attempt to withdraw from the case. Instead, the Judge revoked Thompson's Pro Hac Vice admission, essentiually removing him from the case.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWNAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!!
November 18 2005, 21:31:29 UTC 6 years ago
Re: *clears throat*
Heh. "YOU CAN'T QUIT! YOU'RE FIRED!!!!"Deleted comment
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November 18 2005, 21:32:14 UTC 6 years ago
Best Friday ever.
November 18 2005, 21:32:41 UTC 6 years ago
Questioning Moore's ethics?!?!?!?!?!
O...M...GThompson is so warped that he feels everyone who's against him simply must be unethical or bad/evil.
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