Ironworks Gaming Forum - D&D Player tried for murder

Dungeons & Dragons player tried for murder after killing co-worker with homemade sword

Quote:

DETROIT — On Oct. 27, 2004, James Flemons walked into work with a homemade samurai sword and slashed his co-worker to death.
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Prosecutors say Flemons, then 30, was angry because of constant bullying by the victim, Anthony Williams, and other co-workers at Peerless Metal Powders & Abrasive.
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But Flemons' lawyer says he is schizophrenic with a psychotic obsession with fantasy role-playing games, including Dungeons & Dragons.
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Under Michigan law, the state has 15 months in which to medicate and treat individuals deemed not competent to stand trial. If the person is still found not competent at the end of that period, prosecutors can file to have him committed to a mental institution.
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Flemons' lawyer, David Roby, said his client was deemed competent to stand trial only two weeks before the 15-month deadline was reached.
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"The doctors said that even though he's hearing voices out of the television that are directing aspects of his life and he's suffering from other mood-altering delusions ... 'he's made such progress we think he's competent,'" Roby said.
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Roby said Flemons was obsessed with magic, fantasy, the occult, voodoo, Santeria, telekinesis and spirits.
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"He played Dungeons & Dragons and was obsessive with games of fantasy, anything that helped him get away from people and hide from them in his own little cocoon," Roby said.
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The defense attorney rejected any notion that Flemons acted in a cold, calculated way, saying instead that his client is "delusional and psychotic."
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Flemons' trial is expected to last five days and will be aired live on Court TV Extra .

He's hearing voices out of the TV? Was it turned on at the time?

Anyway, more at the link.