Kathryn+Poslusny+2B

 Background

Daniel Petric was found guilty of killing his mom over a video game. The shooting occurred October 20, 2007 after his dad, Reverend Mark Petric, took his //Halo 3// video game away. Daniel used his father’s key to open the lockbox to get a 9mm handgun and //Halo 3// video game (Sangiacomo 2008; //MSNBC.com,// 2009). When his parents came into his room he said, “Close your eyes, I’ve got a surprise for you,” and then shot both parents in the head (//MSNBC.com,// 2009). Mom, Susan Petric, 43, died, and his father, Reverend Mark Petric, survived (Freeman, 2009). After the shooting, Daniel fled his Elyria, Ohio home and only took one thing: his //Halo 3// video game. During the trial, where Daniel chose for the judge to hear the case instead of a jury, his father went on trial for the defense asking the judge to be lenient saying his son regrets killing his mother and that he misses her (Sangiacomo, 2008; //MSNBC.com//, June 2009).

 Defendant's Case

The defendant’s case was based solely on a video game addiction. Daniel’s sister said he became addicted after being homebound for a year after contracting a staph infection in a snowboarding injury. His friend said he would play seven or eight hours per day and the week before the shooting, he played 16 to 18 hours per day (Sangiacomo, 2008). The defense said the video fame where one is killing constantly made Daniel less responsible and made him think death was not real (Freeman; 2009).

 Prosecutor's Case

Prosecutors said the Daniel killed his mom simply because he was angry that his parents took his //Halo 3//. They objected when the defense said that //Halo 3// had violent content that could have been motive for the shooting. It was also said that Daniel planned it to look like a murder-suicide (Sangiacomo, 2008). He did this by placing the gun in his father’s hand making it look like he shot Daniel’s mom and then himself (//MSNBC.com,// 2009). The prosecution also asked for the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole (Freeman, 2009).

 Outcome

In the case Daniel was tried as an adult and received life in prison with the eligibility of parole in 23 years (Freeman, 2009). He was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted murder, and other charges. In the judges statement he said that Daniel plotted the killing for weeks and that was a factor in the sentencing (//MSNBC.com,// 2009).

Explication

Daniel Petric received the sentencing he should have. The factors that contribute to the trial being just are that he killed his mom, injured his dad, and probably ruined many relative’s lives. The trial would have been different if the defendant was not an adolescent because they could have been a lot harsher. It would have been different because his dad, sister, and friend may have not testified in his defense. The court’s ruling may have been different especially if there was a jury because he could have received life in prison without parole.



Dejak, T. //Daniel Petric//. [Photgraph]. Retrieved from []
 * References:**

Dejak, T. //Mark Petric, Daniel’s father.// [Photgraph]. Retrieved from [] Freeman, K. (2009 June 16). Teen who killed mother over video game gets 23 years to life. //FOX8.com.// Retrieved from []

//Halo 3 fight scene.// [Image]. Retrieved from [|http://boards.ign.com/xbox_360_ general_board /b8266/151053333/r151864337/] //Halo 3 logo.// [Image]. Retrieved from [] Sangiacomo, M. (2008 December 17). Lawyers to make closing remarks in Daniel Petric murder trial. //Cleveland.com.// Retrieved from [|http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer /index.ssf?/ base/lorain/1229506385228270.xml&coll=2] (2009). Teen convicted of killing mom over video game. //MSNBC.com.// Retrieved from [] (2009 June 16). Teen who killed over video game gets 23 years. //MSNBC.com.// Retrieved from []