Stupidity

Stupidity

by Mike Masnick




Generally Speaking, You Probably Shouldn't Get A Tattoo Of The Felony You Plan To Commit

from the just-a-suggestion dept

No one ever said criminals were intelligent. If you're going to go out and commit a crime like "grand theft auto," we might recommend that you not first tattoo the words "Grand Theft Auto" to your back. While it may not have anything to do with the actual crime... it probably doesn't do much to help your case either. The news report, of course, assumes that the tattoo was in reference to the video game, though it's not clear if the tattoo had anything to do with the game, or was just what the guy wanted on his back. However, while some will want to use this as evidence of the guy being inspired by the game, I think it's fair to argue that, instead, this particular individual just wasn't particularly smart.

16 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Sep 21st, 2006 @ 11:26am
  • He set the example for me!

    by Anonymous Coward

    When I go home to my wife and kids tonight, they are going to see the new me! I'm going to get me a tattoo of the crime I'm going to commit too, just so I can be all cool like.

    It will say Jay Walker. What could be cooler than that?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 11:29am
  • by Matt Bennett

    Ok, that's funny.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 11:30am
  • Here is comes...

    by Sanguine Dream

    In today's news Jack Thompson has chosen to represent a young man accused of grand theft auto in a lawsuit against Rockstar Games. The suit alleges that the popular video series (that is ironically named after the very crime he is charged with) that is known for its violent content inspired the young man to commit the crime in question. Thompson nor the young man could be reached for comment.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 11:46am
    • Re: Here is comes...

      by Anonymous Coward

      Hrm... You seem to be under the impression that JT actually cares about the victims of video games. Altho representing this man pro bono might get Mr. JT some good press, it would all very much backfire when the court finds the idiot guilty of the crime, and says they don't give a rats ass how/why/where he was inspired.

      JT is well aware of that, and I don't think he would want to go anywhere near one of these suspected victim/criminals.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Sep 21st, 2006 @ 12:03pm
  • Re: Re: Here is(it) comes...

    by Anonymous Coward

    the victims of video games

    victims... of video games? we're talking about a guy whole stole a car... not an asian kid who stayed up 3 years straight and then died of exhaustion playing an mmorpg. people need to stop trying to correlate violent video games with commiting violent crimes. the real issue is fantasy role playing games... how many people must die from everquest or wow before the world wakes up! damnit people, it's for the children!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 1:31pm
    • Re: Re: Re: Here is(it) comes...

      by Anonymous Coward

      yeah, I put victims in italics for a reason.

      It is only the twisted view of ole Jackie boi that gamers are victims and must be protected from the big bad gaming companies.

      Me, I think he's a twit who's only after fame, and doesnt give a rats ass about protecting anyone.

      I do agree tho, there should be some kind of law agianst overly addictive mmo's... Make the gamine companies offer free withdrawal recovery facilities or something.. (thats mostly a joke..)

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Sep 21st, 2006 @ 12:20pm
  • by anonymous coward

    I just paid a $100 invoice without proper approval! I'm a rebel like that...

    I have "SARBANES OXLEY" tattooed on my back...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 1:29pm
  • Er...

    by Dom

    I think it's fair enough to say the man's tattoo was inspired by the video game. It's a very similar font to the one used in GTA3, I'm pretty sure:
    http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/21/grandauotheft_narrowweb__300x397,2.jpg

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 6:47pm
    • Re: Er...

      by Anonymous Coward

      GTA shares a font with The Price is Right. I always knew Bob Barker was a car thief.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    • Sep 22nd, 2006 @ 10:02am
    • Re: Er...

      by Charlie Blix

      Even if this guy got the tat because of the game it doesnt really show anything. I've seen people with tats of Loony Toons everywhere. When they snap and hit someone with a frying pan do we blame the cartoon they love?

      Oh and I thought the big problem about GTA wasnt the steeling of the cars, I thought it was the killing of people in mass? Let me know when a man with a GTA tat pays for a hooker, kills her, then takes all her money, then maybe I'll care.

      (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

    Sep 21st, 2006 @ 2:04pm
  • Yah that's GTA3

    by Chronno S. Trigger

    But he probably got it around the same time as GTA3

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 3:28pm
  • Prison Break

    Does this remind anyone of Prison Break?

    If you are going to break out of prison you might as well have the blueprints on your back. If you're going to steal a car I suppose you could have a road-map tattoo instead. :)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 3:55pm
  • Yeah, but...

    by Disappointed

    I'm still searching for the "tech" part of this news story.

    Can anyone help me?

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 4:40pm
  • RE: Yeah, but...

    by wraeth

    The tech relation to this story is that, once again, video games are set to take the blame as scapegoat for a crime, because he had some sort of identifiable connection to a violent game (ie. the tattoo).

    I think he had Fruity Loops...

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 21st, 2006 @ 5:02pm
  • LMAO

    by adam

    LMAO @ Sarbanes Oxley comment!!!!!!!

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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