We all know how much the mainstream media seem to hate video games, accusing them of causing violence and the main reason for many tragic events in the past few years. But this one is really pushing it.
Justin Carter, a Texan teenager has been in jail since March and could face an 8 year prison sentence for making an offensive joke during a game of League of Legends. In reply to a fellow player calling him insane Carter wrote:
“Oh yeah, I’m real messed up in the head, I’m going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts.” Which he quickly followed up with “Lol, jk.” Meaning he was just kidding, or making a joke.
But things took a turn for the more serious as a Canadian woman who saw the post looked up Carter’s address and saw he lived near an elementary school and therefore called the police. Carter was arrested a month later and has been in jail since then, even having his 19th birthday behind bars. He was charged with making a terrorist threat and could face 8 years in prison if found guilty.
This man makes a living out of offensive jokes. He’s not in prison.
Justins father said:
Justin was the kind of kid who didn’t read the newspaper, He didn’t watch television. He wasn’t aware of current events. These kids, they don’t realize what they’re doing. They don’t understand the implications. They don’t understand.
In light of Carter facing a long jail sentence, Justin’s parents have set up a change.org petition in order to get there son released from jail. The petition says “Too many teenagers are being arrested, jailed and having their lives forever altered because of anti-terrorism laws and investigations that impede their 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech.”
A hearing for Carter’s case is scheduled for July 1st.
What do you think of this whole situation? Does Justin deserve to be in jail? Or has the fear of terrorism and untrust towards gamers gone too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.