Matrix Legal Defense (groan...)

sterlingice · 05-30-2003, 07:05 PM

Attorney Says 'The Matrix' Caused Man To Kill Parents

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The attorney for a 19-year-old Virginia man accused of murdering his parents with a shotgun says his client was influenced by the movie "The Matrix," KMBC's Peter Barnes reported.

Joshua Cooke was allegedly obsessed with the movie. He had posters and wore the film's signature leather clothes. And the shotgun he allegedly used to shoot his parents to death with this February was similar to one used in the movie.

"At the time he allegedly shot both of his parents, he was dressed in the full 'Matrix' costume. He was in possession of many of the props from the movie," said Rachel Fierro, Cooke's attorney.

Fierro plans to argue an insanity defense for Cooke. That defense has been successful at least twice before. Two people accused of murder have also used the "Matrix defense," and both were found not guilty by reason of insanity, Barnes reported.

"We believe that (Cook) believed himself to be in a virtual reality similar to that of 'The Matrix' at the time the attack occurred," Fierro said.

Cooke is currently in jail, where he has undergone a mental health evaluation. One expert said it is possible "The Matrix" could influence troubled people.

"Maybe someone who becomes extremely depressed and has psychosis is likewise affected by these movies that sort of perpetuate delusions," said Joan Marie Davoli, a law and mental health expert interviewed by Barnes.

But Robert Horan, the prosecuting attorney, is skeptical.

"'The Matrix' has been seen by millions of people and very few have committed any acts of violence as a result of seeing it," Horan said.

Cooke's trial begins in late June.

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SI

Franklinnoble · 05-30-2003, 07:12 PM

Nice... when I finally snap and decide to shoot up my office, I'll be sure to wear black leather pants, shirt, and trenchcoat, along with some nifty shades while I do it.

tucker342 · 05-30-2003, 09:33 PM

what a surprise, people using movies as scapegoate again

Aesyrqwe · 05-30-2003, 09:43 PM

Just like the whole "mcdonalds made me fat and not the fact that i ate all the time and didnt exercise my fat ass so they are fully responsible..."

-Aes-

sterlingice · 05-30-2003, 10:14 PM

The scary part about this is that two people have gotten off. Granted, "gotten off" probably translates to "institutionalized" but that can't be as bad as prison for murder.

SI

Easy Mac · 05-30-2003, 10:47 PM

Man, I can't wait to be a lawyer

... just think $$$... just think politics...

Ryche · 05-30-2003, 10:50 PM

The insanity defense really confuses me. If a person is insane enough to commit murder, should they be locked up for good anyway?

sabotai · 05-30-2003, 11:09 PM

"The scary part about this is that two people have gotten off. Granted, "gotten off" probably translates to "institutionalized" but that can't be as bad as prison for murder."

Which is probably where they should be if a movie cause them to commit murder. The guy is definatly not all there.

EagleFan · 05-30-2003, 11:26 PM

No matter what caused them to commit murder, they should be locked up or fried. Unless you tell me it's self defense, that's a different situation all-together.

If you don't have enough sense to know what is right and wrong to that extent than you have no reason to be among the general population.

In this case it already seems like there is no arguement that he did the crime so just end it now with a quick lethal injection and save the tax payers the expense of the trial and keeping him locked up afterwards.

sabotai · 05-30-2003, 11:29 PM

"No matter what caused them to commit murder, they should be locked up or fried. Unless you tell me it's self defense, that's a different situation all-together."

Well, technically, he is locked up. He'll be spending the rest of his life in a mental institution.

"In this case it already seems like there is no arguement that he did the crime so just end it now with a quick lethal injection and save the tax payers the expense of the trial and keeping him locked up afterwards"

In the amount of appeals that would be filed, the state saves more money by just throwing him in a mental institution than going through all the legal bullshit it takes to fry him.

(And a mental institution is not a pleasent place. I know a lot people think thatr if it doesn't have bars, it must be a nice place. State run mental institutions are not good places to be.)

stkelly52 · 05-31-2003, 09:03 AM

Now I may be totally off, I havn't actually met the guy and I know nothing about the case, but the first time that I read about this case, I was pretty sure that he would be found insane. Frankly this sounds like a clasic case of a guy who really has no concept of reality. He will not "get off" he will spend years in an institution.

Ragone · 05-31-2003, 07:25 PM

So if i grow full body hair.. and my work demands i shave it off? i can use the Chewbacca Defense?... whoops wrong thread

ISiddiqui · 05-31-2003, 08:03 PM

Quote:

I can't wait to be a lawyer

Would you have done any different if you were representing the guy? PLEASE! It's the best defense they had!

Craptacular · 05-31-2003, 10:10 PM

Free. Your. Mind.

Happy29 · 06-01-2003, 03:09 AM

Yeah, in this case, the Matrix Architect is the Prison Warden.

05-30-2003, 09:43 PM	#4
Aesyrqwe High School JV Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana	Just like the whole "mcdonalds made me fat and not the fact that i ate all the time and didnt exercise my fat ass so they are fully responsible..." -Aes- __________________ Go Bears! #8 Grossman #33 Tillman

05-30-2003, 10:14 PM	#5
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	The scary part about this is that two people have gotten off. Granted, "gotten off" probably translates to "institutionalized" but that can't be as bad as prison for murder. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

05-30-2003, 10:50 PM	#7
Ryche College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO, USA	The insanity defense really confuses me. If a person is insane enough to commit murder, should they be locked up for good anyway? __________________ Some knots are better left untied.

05-30-2003, 11:26 PM	#9
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	No matter what caused them to commit murder, they should be locked up or fried. Unless you tell me it's self defense, that's a different situation all-together. If you don't have enough sense to know what is right and wrong to that extent than you have no reason to be among the general population. In this case it already seems like there is no arguement that he did the crime so just end it now with a quick lethal injection and save the tax payers the expense of the trial and keeping him locked up afterwards. __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important

05-31-2003, 09:03 AM	#11
stkelly52 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Seattle WA	Now I may be totally off, I havn't actually met the guy and I know nothing about the case, but the first time that I read about this case, I was pretty sure that he would be found insane. Frankly this sounds like a clasic case of a guy who really has no concept of reality. He will not "get off" he will spend years in an institution. __________________ Check out an undrafted free agent's attempt to make the Hall of Fame: Running to the Hall Now nominated for a Golden Scribe!

05-30-2003, 07:12 PM	#2
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	Nice... when I finally snap and decide to shoot up my office, I'll be sure to wear black leather pants, shirt, and trenchcoat, along with some nifty shades while I do it.

05-30-2003, 09:33 PM	#3
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	what a surprise, people using movies as scapegoate again

05-30-2003, 10:47 PM	#6
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	Man, I can't wait to be a lawyer ... just think $$$... just think politics...

05-30-2003, 11:09 PM	#8
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	"The scary part about this is that two people have gotten off. Granted, "gotten off" probably translates to "institutionalized" but that can't be as bad as prison for murder." Which is probably where they should be if a movie cause them to commit murder. The guy is definatly not all there.

05-30-2003, 11:29 PM	#10
sabotai General Manager Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Satellite of Love	"No matter what caused them to commit murder, they should be locked up or fried. Unless you tell me it's self defense, that's a different situation all-together." Well, technically, he is locked up. He'll be spending the rest of his life in a mental institution. "In this case it already seems like there is no arguement that he did the crime so just end it now with a quick lethal injection and save the tax payers the expense of the trial and keeping him locked up afterwards" In the amount of appeals that would be filed, the state saves more money by just throwing him in a mental institution than going through all the legal bullshit it takes to fry him. (And a mental institution is not a pleasent place. I know a lot people think thatr if it doesn't have bars, it must be a nice place. State run mental institutions are not good places to be.)

05-31-2003, 07:25 PM	#12
Ragone Pro Rookie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, Mo	So if i grow full body hair.. and my work demands i shave it off? i can use the Chewbacca Defense?... whoops wrong thread

05-31-2003, 10:10 PM	#14
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	Free. Your. Mind.

06-01-2003, 03:09 AM	#15
Happy29 In The Penalty Box Join Date: May 2003 Location: To reveal my location, you must decipher a series of traps, each more deadly than the last.	Yeah, in this case, the Matrix Architect is the Prison Warden.

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