Mortal Kombat Moves Claim Life of 7-Year Old

Mortal Kombat Moves Claim Life of 7-Year Old

www.cnn.com

JOHNSTOWN, Colorado (AP) -- Two teens have been charged with killing the 7-year-old sister of one of them by beating her with imitations of moves from the "Mortal Kombat" video game, prosecutors said.

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What the hell does this have to do with videogames? It seems parents and attorneys still want to use gaming as a scapegoat. Unless shouts of "Excellent" and "Finish Her," a little melted ice or perhaps a hook on a rope with a shout of "Get Over Here" were heard, then how can they link it with Mortal Kombat? The moves described in the article sound more like wrestling, especially when they said "body-slamming" was involved. Hit, kicked and punched, every fighting game has that.

I wouldn't leave my kids with that guy, he looks looks like a basket case, and the girl looks emo. I am sure there could have been better choices for a nanny. In any case, he is heading for f**k me in the arse prison, and she is most likely getting probation.

[edit on 12/20/2007 by DarkCloud]

I get so sick of the media blaming video games, instead of maybe pointing a finger at themselves for only telling bad news day after day, and then add in lack of parental involvement/adequate adult supervision.

It used to be rock and roll that was blamed for kids being violent, then it was Dungeons & Dragons, now it's video games.

I don't think anybody with half a brain even believes that anymore.

reply to post by MajorMalfunction


I think you hit it right when you said people are always looking for something else to blame. I remember when it was Dungeons and Dragons. As I was part of that crowd. I remember when there was a movement to get the game baned. Now its video games. Aside from the game being violent, I don't think anything will come of this. Video games are to embedded in the society now. Most will probably see it as nothing more then a scapegoat. However I have been wrong plenty of times in the past.

reply to post by MajorMalfunction


I wouldn't be so sure of that, MM. It's quite possible that a developing brain (such as that of kids and teenagers) can be influenced by violent media. If you haven't read about this yet, please do:

This is your brain on violent media
Don't pay too much attention to the news release -- read the actual scientific study behind that article (the link is in that thread somewhere).

Certainly more research is needed in order to determine the exact process of how this influence can manifest itself, but the preliminary results do indicate a strong correlation that violent media can in fact re-wire the brain.

reply to post by DarkCloud


I don't think that a 16 and 17 year old would be imitating video games...but I could be wrong. Video games or not, a 7 year old is dead at the hands of drunk teens. IMO this is just a case of neglegent baby sitters and they should be charged as adults, and if I read the artical right, they are. My prayers go out to the family in this time of loss.

EDIT: I still can't spell

[edit on 21-12-2007 by tetsujin420]