Ohio Teen Convicted of Killing Mother Over Video Game

[festus]

A judge Monday rejected the defense that a teenage boy opened fire on his family because he was addicted to video games, convicting him of wounding his clergyman father and killing his mother after they fought over a video game.

Lawyers for Daniel Petric, 17, didn't contest that the boy shot his parents in October 2007, but insisted his youth and video game addiction made him less responsible. But Common Pleas Judge James Burge disagreed and pointed to evidence the boy plotted the crime for weeks.

Petric was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and other charges. He faces a maximum possible penalty of life in prison without parole. The judge didn't set a sentencing date.

Prosecutors said Petric planned to kill his parents because he was angry that his father would not allow him to play the video game "Halo 3," in which players shoot alien monsters that have taken over the Earth.

During the trial, deputy prosecuting attorney Anthony Cillo described Petric as a cold, calculating killer who plotted to murder his parents, Mark and Susan Petric, and make it appear to be a murder-suicide by putting the gun in his father's hand.

Defense Attorney James Kersey has said that Petric was obsessed with the "Halo" series of video games, which he played 18 hours a day when he had the chance. Petric used his father's key to open a lockbox and remove a 9 mm handgun and the game.

Mark Petric, who is a minister at New Life Assembly of God in Wellington, testified that his son came into the room and asked: "Would you guys close your eyes? I have a surprise for you."

The father, who recovered from the shooting, testified that he expected a pleasant surprise. Then his head went numb from a gunshot. His wife, Susan, 43, died of gunshot wound to the head.

[sambo42xa]

Now the lawyer is going to say it was the Games fault, not the 17 yr old that made Him alledgedly do it.

[tattedupboy]

Lawyers never cease to amaze me with the arguments they come up with for their clients not to have to take responsibility for their crimes; this is the most far fetched one yet.

[toreskha]

The prison guards should wear some of those Halo exoskeleton suits and come visit him at night. That would give him a fright.

[HK4U]

Spending 18 hours a day playing any game especially that kind of game you would think would have been a clue to the parents that there was something wrong with the kid.

[Glock Fan]

Sounds like a tragic combination of bad parenting and a very disturbed child. Another reason why I favor the combination lock over the key for securing my firearms. It's a lot easier to steal the keys than to figure out my current combination.



gf

[toreskha]

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

Sounds like a tragic combination of bad parenting and a very disturbed child. Another reason why I favor the combination lock over the key for securing my firearms. It's a lot easier to steal the keys than to figure out my current combination.



gf

In this case I doubt that any lock would have stopped this lunatic from killing his parents.