Devin Moore (murderer)

Devin Moore (born Devin Darnell Thompson on May 15, 1985[2] in Fayette, Alabama) is a convicted murderer from Alabama who sparked a controversy over the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City when he committed three acts of first-degree murder in the Fayette, Alabama police station in 2003. Moore killed two policemen (Arnold Strickland and James Crump) and a dispatcher (Leslie Mealer) after being booked on suspicion of stealing a car. He then fled in a highway patrol vehicle.

For the American football running back, see Devin Moore (American football).
Devin Moore
Mugshot of Moore taken by the Alabama Department of Corrections
Born
Devin Darnell Thompson[1]

(1985-05-15) May 15, 1985
Fayette, Alabama, U.S.
Criminal statusOn death row at Holman Correctional Facility
Criminal penaltyDeath
Details
DateJune 7, 2003
CountryUnited States
Location(s)Police station in Fayette, Alabama
Killed3
Date apprehended
June 7, 2003

Moore was apprehended later in Mississippi. According to the Associated Press, after his recapture he said, "Life is a video game. Everybody's got to die sometime." Once in custody, Moore quickly confessed. He told detectives that he shot the men because he didn't want to go to jail.[3]: 139 

The controversy involving his relation to Grand Theft Auto was revealed during an episode of 60 Minutes on March 4, 2005. In the episode, a student demonstrated Grand Theft Auto to them, showing them the adult nature of the game.[4] Moore, who recently graduated from high school at the time, had no criminal record and was never in trouble before. He had enlisted in the Air Force and was due to leave for service at the end of the summer.

See also: Strickland v. Sony

Moore faced trial in 2005 and pleaded not guilty.[5] The trial judge barred the defense from introducing evidence to the jury that Grand Theft Auto incited Moore's shooting spree. Moore's attorney, Jim Standridge, contended that Moore was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the crimes. Standridge argued that, as a child, Moore had been emotionally and physically abused by his father.[3]: 139 

In August 2005, Moore was convicted as charged. On October 9, 2005, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Jim Standridge appealed the case. On February 17, 2012, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upheld Moore's conviction in a 5–0 decision.[6] The case will automatically be appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court, and can then be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Personal life

Moore is the brother of Mookie Moore, a former National Football League player.[7]

See also

References
  1. "CNN.com - Transcripts". Transcripts.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
  2. "Alabama Department of Corrections". doc.state.al.us. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012.
  3. Dwyer, Kevin and Fiorillo, Juré. True Stories of Law & Order: SVU. 2007: Berkley/Penguin, page 139. (ISBN 0425217353)
  4. Leung, Rebecca (2005-03-04). "Can A Video Game Lead To Murder?". 60 Minutes. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  5. Smith, Tony (2005-08-11). "'Grand Theft Auto' cop killer found guilty". The Register. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
  6. Beyerle, Dana (2012-02-17). "'Grand Theft Auto' killer's sentence upheld". The Gadsden Times. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  7. Suspect described as "troubled child" with history of stealing
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