Judge's report in Jack Thompson case: guilty on 27 charges

Mindspread

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080520-judges-report-in-jack-thompson-case-guilty-on-27-charges.html

In early 2007 the Florida Bar filed a five count, 38-page complaint against Florida Lawyer Jack Thompson, seeking sanctions against the outspoken critic of video games. "This is frankly once again just the Bar going off the deep end trying to use Bar rules to limit my First Amendment activism," Thompson said about the matter, according to Law.com. The trial ended in December 2007, and the verdict was expected in late April of this year. Judge Dava Tunis had asked for an extension in order to, among other things, deal with 400 "pleadings, e-mails, letters and missives (including pictorials)" sent by Thompson since the end of the trial. Judge Tunis has now released her report, with recommendations that Thompson be found guilty of 27 of the 31 charges.

Djiem

What's with all the Jesus talk?
Is he trying to avoid the charges by indirectly pleading insanity?

DarkPrimus

Did you guys see the picture of him with a copy of GTA IV?

I would not be surprised if he's abusing some sort of substance.

Couscous

How do we get him to lose custody of his child?

GSM

27 charges... out of 31! Makes you really wonder what those four dropped charges were. They must have been pretty wild for Thompson to not have actually done them.

slash000

DarkPrimus wrote: »

Did you guys see the picture of him with a copy of GTA IV?

I would not be surprised if he's abusing some sort of substance.

Djiem

There really is GTA IV advertising everywhere.
Even where you'd least suspect it.

Edcrab

Djiem wrote: »

There really is GTA IV advertising everywhere.
Even where you'd least suspect it.

Hahah

"The judge promptly ordered that the bailiffs superglue a copy of the latest Grand Theft Auto title to the side of Thompson's head. When informed that this was cruel and unusual punishment, the judge told people to piss off."


But really, is this surprising to anyone? The man's a nut, and even non-raving-game-lunatics are aware of the fact.

SoaL

Wait what the hell does that picture of him with GTA prove/relate to?

[tiny]Also olol Hawaiian shirt.[/tiny]

e: I mean I guess he kind of looks like an old, american version of the Niko picture on the box.

Djiem

SoaL wrote: »

Wait what the hell does that picture of him with GTA prove/relate to?

"I'm meeting you halfway, you stupid hippies!"

Icewing

slash000 wrote: »

DarkPrimus wrote: »

Did you guys see the picture of him with a copy of GTA IV?

I would not be surprised if he's abusing some sort of substance.

That picture would make a great billboard for advertising GTA IV. Just like that, no ad text or explanation anything.

LookFreeGrenade

Well I guess GTA actually did cause crime.

sorta.

DarkPrimus

LookFreeGrenade wrote: »

Well I guess GTA actually did cause crime.

sorta.

Just like the people who kill and blame it on GTA... Jack was crazy before GTA got to him.

slash000

Icewing wrote: »

That picture would make a great billboard for advertising GTA IV. Just like that, no ad text or explanation anything.

RedThorn

SoaL wrote: »

Wait what the hell does that picture of him with GTA prove/relate to?

I bet it was from one of his stupid sting thingies where he sends his son in to buy M rated games.

(Also, this is going to get appealed so hard. At least the judge took her time, so there should be less grounds for one.)

Glaeal

DarkPrimus wrote: »

LookFreeGrenade wrote: »

Well I guess GTA actually did cause crime.

sorta.

Just like the people who kill and blame it on GTA... Jack was crazy before GTA got to him.

Yeah, Jack-T is the guy we have to thank for the 2liveCrew bullshit.

Panda4You

slash000 wrote: »

Icewing wrote: »

That picture would make a great billboard for advertising GTA IV. Just like that, no ad text or explanation anything.

Going to gamestop, brb


:^:

AbsoluteZero

Ha

Hahaha

Oh man. Suck it, Jack.

Morninglord

slash000 wrote: »

Icewing wrote: »

That picture would make a great billboard for advertising GTA IV. Just like that, no ad text or explanation anything.

Man. The choice of road and scene with that picture.

That was fucking brilliant slash. Well done.

Bionic Monkey

Okay, so all "lolz Jack-off Hompson" aside, what is he facing here for those 27 charges?

Tim James

He looks like the DJ that did my wedding.

Hedgethorn

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

Okay, so all "lolz Jack-off Hompson" aside, what is he facing here for those 27 charges?

Ars Technica wrote:

These are not small offenses, as Judge Tunis recommended a guilty verdict for, among other things, "knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal," "using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person," "engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation," and "making statements that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity concerning to the qualifications or integrity of a judge."

Those are bad things for a lawyer to do.

plufim

A few more here as well (new ones emboldened):

* Knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal
* Knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal
* Communicating the merits of the case with a judge before whom the proceeding is pending
* Using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay or burden a third person
* Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
* Engaging in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly or through callous indifference disparage or humiliate litigants or other lawyers
* Making statements that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge

randombattle

Wow he could be in some serious shit for this stuff.

bloodr

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

plufim

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

Couscous

plufim wrote: »

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

Oliver North is a common commentator despite having been heavily involved in the Iran-Contra affair. Rivera is still a reporter despite being a douche.

plufim

titmouse wrote: »

plufim wrote: »

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

Oliver North is a common commentator despite having been heavily involved in the Iran-Contra affair. Rivera is still a reporter despite being a douche.

Ah. Wonderful.

slash000

plufim wrote: »

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

This is kinda beat'd, but if Thompson is disbarred (which is likely), Fox will probably keep him on as a "Videogame Violence Expert" or some other stupid title.

Evangir

slash000 wrote: »

plufim wrote: »

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

This is kinda beat'd, but if Thompson is disbarred (which is likely), Fox will probably keep him on as a "Videogame Violence Expert" or some other stupid title.

He likes the "School Shooting Expert" better I'd bet. That's the one they gave him during the Virginia Tech coverage

slash000

Lovely...

UndefinedMonkey

slash000 wrote: »

DarkPrimus wrote: »

Did you guys see the picture of him with a copy of GTA IV?

I would not be surprised if he's abusing some sort of substance.

Wait... that's not a photoshop of him? He has a HUUUUGE head.

randombattle

Evangir wrote: »

slash000 wrote: »

plufim wrote: »

bloodr wrote: »

The only real surprise about this story is that it's taken this long for him to get in trouble with the courts. Not that it matters anymore, I'm sure he makes a tidy living being an "expert" on FOX News.

I really hope that if FOX do continue to use him, one of the competing networks do a thompson expose. Fox wouldn't continue to use him if he's been publicly discredited, right?

This is kinda beat'd, but if Thompson is disbarred (which is likely), Fox will probably keep him on as a "Videogame Violence Expert" or some other stupid title.

He likes the "School Shooting Expert" better I'd bet. That's the one they gave him during the Virginia Tech coverage

Which honestly just makes him sound like he shoots up schools

RedThorn

randombattle wrote: »

Which honestly just makes him sound like he shoots up schools

Hell, I'd watch Fox for that.

Viscountalpha

I feel like we should do something at PAX when he is completely disbarred. Something to really rub it in that he failed so hard.

Morninglord

Engaging in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly or through callous indifference disparage or humiliate litigants or other lawyers

I like this one the best.

You are charged with making us look bad. But really it should go at the end of the list, do lawyers have no sense of humour.

randombattle

Viscountalpha wrote: »

I feel like we should do something at PAX when he is completely disbarred. Something to really rub it in that he failed so hard.

What like raise a bunch of money and make a donation in his name cause it's something he would never do?

Oh wait people already did that..

Morninglord

randombattle wrote: »

Viscountalpha wrote: »

I feel like we should do something at PAX when he is completely disbarred. Something to really rub it in that he failed so hard.

What like raise a bunch of money and make a donation in his name cause it's something he would never do?

Oh wait people already did that..

That was cool. Equally cool and self sacrificing things need to be done or you are supporting, not hindering his points. Just in case anyone thought it would be neat to make ha ha dumbass jack posters or something.

PikaPuff

Re: Judge's report in Jack Thompson case: guilty on 27 charges

Mindspread wrote: »

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080520-judges-report-in-jack-thompson-case-guilty-on-27-charges.html

Judge Tunis has now released her report, with recommendations that Thompson be found guilty of 27 of the 31 charges.

Another misleading thread title. Neat.

Henroid

Yeah, this is all misleading. This judge filed in her recommendations to the Bar, not dropped the decision.

27 of 31 is a lot though, and I'm glad we've got some sort of update on things. And some of those charges are great, like the one Morninglord posted.

bloodr

Henroid wrote: »

Yeah, this is all misleading. This judge filed in her recommendations to the Bar, not dropped the decision.

27 of 31 is a lot though, and I'm glad we've got some sort of update on things. And some of those charges are great, like the one Morninglord posted.

According to a lawyer friend of mines generally the bar will just go with what the recommendations are, however this may vary from state to state (she does not practice in Florida).

Take that with a grain of salt.

But given that he's been charged with making lawyers look bad (insert lawyer joke here), I'm willing to bet my right nut he'll be disbarred.