Klamath Falls murder trial concluded, video games defense used

Remember that report we did on another murder case where the blame is put on video games? The Klamath Falls (Oregon) case was closed a couple of days ago. And the verdict is? Guilty.

Let’s skim over the details again. Patrick Morris shot (several times) and killed 16-year old Diego Aguilar with a 12-gauge shotgun. Morris’ account of the murder was a bit vague. He confessed that he and his friends planned a fight against a man (who was staying at the same motel the victim was) who flashed a gun at them.

Defense attorney Robert Abel took the video game defense (popular nowadays, don’t you think?). He argued that violent video games, emotional and behavioral disorders, and mind altering mushrooms caused Morris to do it. He moved to have the charges diminished from murder to manslaughter. This was contradicted by the prosecution’s expert witness, Dr. Michael Knapp, who said that it was absurd to blame video games for real life crimes.

Judge Marci Adkisson gave a verdict of life imprisonment (with parole after 25 years) and said, “Now you’re going to suffer the consequences.” Could this possibly be the end of the “I did it because I play video games” defense?

Remember that report we did on another murder case where the blame is put on video games? The Klamath Falls (Oregon) case was closed a couple of days ago. And the verdict is? Guilty.

Let’s skim over the details again. Patrick Morris shot (several times) and killed 16-year old Diego Aguilar with a 12-gauge shotgun. Morris’ account of the murder was a bit vague. He confessed that he and his friends planned a fight against a man (who was staying at the same motel the victim was) who flashed a gun at them.

Defense attorney Robert Abel took the video game defense (popular nowadays, don’t you think?). He argued that violent video games, emotional and behavioral disorders, and mind altering mushrooms caused Morris to do it. He moved to have the charges diminished from murder to manslaughter. This was contradicted by the prosecution’s expert witness, Dr. Michael Knapp, who said that it was absurd to blame video games for real life crimes.

Judge Marci Adkisson gave a verdict of life imprisonment (with parole after 25 years) and said, “Now you’re going to suffer the consequences.” Could this possibly be the end of the “I did it because I play video games” defense?