Jack Thompson withdraws from AL GTA case

by Dan Choi { Nov 8th 2005 at 10:15AM }

Jack Thompson has withdrawn himself from the GTA cop-killer case in Alabama, denying that the presiding judge placed any pressure on him to do so.

Thompson stated: "It was my idea."

According to Game Politics, "Thompson further indicated that his withdrawal was probably inevitable since he would likely need to take the stand as a witness in the case at some point."

[Via Evil Avatar]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SickNic @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Now prospective clients should know not to go to this lawyer for wrongful death lawsuits, since he is getting kicked off (or withdrawing) from cases.

Incompetent

Sense @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

I'm glad he didn't have the gall to say he'd be called as an "expert" witness.

GlitchCog @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Stand as a witness? Does he think he's objectively seen the effect video games have on people? Is he a researcher? Does he examine scientific data? Does he even entertain that the concept of truth and unbiased analysis is a good thing?

The only thing he can testify for is that he detests video games so much that he feels the need to project his hatred through politicians and by influencing the public with his intolerably unfounded opinions, which is hardly the sort of thing anyone needs to hear in a murder trial.

Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

"Stand as a witness? Does he think he's objectively seen the effect video games have on people? Is he a researcher? Does he examine scientific data? Does he even entertain that the concept of truth and unbiased analysis is a good thing?"
My point exatcly, he has no facts, he hasnt played a video game in his life and very biased opinions that dont mean much.

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Actually, I think he's afraid of the cross-examination. Think about how easily gamers have made his arguments look foolish. Now imagine how easily and effectively a lawyer could do the same. I think Thompson is bailing because he knows that he could single-handedly sink his case.

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

I wonder if this might have been part of JT's plan the whole time? I mean, there is no way the defense is going to call him, and he would be part of the planning on the part of the plaintiff about whether or not he would be called as a witness. Not that I have any idea what he can contribute to the proceedings as a witness...

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J (The other one) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

To perfectly quote Nelson from the simpsons "Hah Hah"

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

32, he could be exposed on cross-examination just as easily as a witness.

Google Nazi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

This is good news though where is he going to attack next?

Speaking of lawyers, i'd like to see at least one lawyer play videogames like any of us. It would probobly be more rare than a female gamer *gasps*

tpp @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

This is a sad day for the Thompsons. What will Jack do now to put food on the table? The loss of his share of the potential settlement money must be devastating to our favorite ambulance chaser.

Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Uh...No. 9...plenty of lawyers play video games, including me (corporate lawyer on Wall Street). So do many of my friends at work. And, just like the blogosphere, some of us are xbox fanboys and some of us are sony fanboys. I've hedged my bets and have a first shipment pre-order for both the 360 and the PS3.

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

I didn't make myself clear. I meant that the defense would scorch Thompson in cross-examination if he was called up to be an "expert witness" - and Thompson would have definitely been called up for that purpose.

Patrick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

No. 9, ditto Matt. I don't know what your perception of lawyers is, but it's not all 70-year old guys in suits. Actually, if a lawyer goes to law school right after college, that puts them around 25 years old (grad at 22 + 3 years of law school). Even many of those that waited to go to school like me (currently in it) are still sub-30. And I'm not even corporate, I'm *gasp* IP! Sorry, not really a big deal at all and more common than you think.

-p-

n3rrd @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

lmao, so no lawyers are Nintendo fanboys, Matt? :P I love how next gen battle doesn't even include Nintendo in lots of peoples minds. It's down to two.

Sense @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Actually, Thompson often cites the same study as "proof" that games create violence in children. Specifically the study said that games can affect the growth of the brain. I'm fairly certain that this has been proven to be false or at least misleading. I wish I could remember the study. Go Google Jack and I'm sure he'll mention what University it was.

Anyway, my point is that Jack really believes he has undeniable proof, which is why he thinks he is a credible witness.

He is an expert in reading other people's conclusions, nothing more.

In my opinion, the group that wants violent games away from children would be better served by someone who actually enjoys video games and understands them.

Jack's vitriol and complete inability to see both sides of the issue only hurts his case.

ZeroCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Next-gen battles don't include Nintendo because so far, Nintendo's big Revolution game announcement was a "wok cooking" game. Yay. I can see the Halo fanboys dropping their controller to go crazy with Mario Wok Madness or whatever the hell they call it. Let us also not discount the possibility that there will be a NintenDogs on Rev that lets you use the controller as a leash, "petting motion sensor", and probably as a rolled-up newspaper, too. This is just not exciting to the majority of gamers. It might be cool for families and kids, but I can't see the bulk of us rushing out to get the Rev when these are the games they're talking about.

As for Thompson--- Well, he IS an expert witness. If you want to see what effect video games have on a complete douschbag, Jack Thompson's the guy to call.

Rob X. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

The gaming generations are getting their law degrees right now, give it another decade and the first of the gaming generation will start holding major political offices.

Next-Gen battles don't include Nintendo, because they have taken themselves out of the battle. As long as they remain profitable, their machine will continue to be a proprietary Nintendo game playing device. They don't care about online connectivity or multimedia capability. They have found their and though people call Nintendo innovative, they are probably the most conservative gaming company out there, to their benefit.

Rob X. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Nintendo has found their niche, I meant to say.

Kajex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Videogames have a negative impact on people.
...
Just look at Jack Thompson- he went nuts because he didn't like what he saw. *shot at*
Just kidding, all. ^^ The only problem with videogames I can find are people like Jack trying to blame them for stuff.

Gamers come from all walks of life. Laywers, politicians, bankers, accountants, artists, managers, CEO's, housewives, students, teachers, doctors... a gamer can be anybody. If Jack Thompsons were right, then just about any respectable adult could be a potential murderer. And that's where his argument fails.

krylon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

to #9:
I'm a law student. In response to #13, i don't plan on selling my x-box when I take the bar this summer.

Am I the only one that is reassured at the fact that he's not insane JUST to small folk whom don't really have the means, either politically or legally, for recourse against him?

Example: he can freak out on Gabe and Tycho because in the scheme of things, they're pretty small fry. You and I may read them, but its not like they have pull. Whatever the fallout from an altercation between them more or less will stay in the little internet circle you and I run in.
Flipping out on another attorney such that they ask to get you removed from a case you're on? That's pretty bad. Pretty stupid and pretty bad. That makes other attorneys, judges, and for that matter the media look at you differently.

Point is: it's an old cliche to have a villain whom no one thinks or knows is the villain but the hero. What this proves, to me anyway, is that he's not a manipulatively evil villain, just a stupidly manipulative spotlight hogging poor excuse for a lawyer. The fact that he's shown it in circles outside those on the internet comforts me.

Kajex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Krylon- I dunno about that, actually... you got Tycho and Gabe donating $10,000, which is going to hold alot of sway, no matter what you do. And then there's Child's Play, too. Little things like that make mere mortal men into gods. Or at least, respectable persons in everyday communities.

ErbilT @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

Two words:

Derek Smart

Does anybody else get the same feeling whenever Thompson goes after gamers in internet forums?

C. Lake @ Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM

I think the word you're looking for to describe Jack Thompson, is "PUSSY"! As soon as the case starts getting tough, he bails out? What kind of lawyer is that?

- He's really in it for the children.
- He really believes that Video Games are evil.

He doesn't know what he believe's in? So, what... now he's bored with it and he doesn't want to do it any more? What a Lame-Ass loser!

I'm glad that Jack Thompson is gone, and good riddens to ya! D.Head!