Teen Gets 23 years for killing over video game
Halo 3 Video Game
17 year old, Daniel Petric was sentenced to 23 years in prison for killing his mother after she tried to take away his Halo 3 video game. Video games are popular, but dag-on, killing one’s mother? That’s simply outrageous. Apparently Daniel shot both his parents, but only his father survived. What do you think should have been his punishment for killing his mother over a video game? His father spoke to the court and said that Daniel was sorry for killing his mother. No matter how sorry he is, his mother is still dead. What do you think about it? Is 23 years an adequate sentence for killing one’s mother over a video game? If you believe in God and that the mother made it to heaven. What do you think she feels about her son being sentenced to 23 years. He’ll be 40 by the times he gets out of jail. Will it be time enough to start his life anew? It’s sad, but I’d like to hear your thoughts. Also, could Daniel’s dad sue the makers of Halo 3 for creating a game so addictive that it possibly ‘encouraged’ his son to kill? Who knows? Are the makers of the video game responsible? It’s something to think about.
Peace…
Tags: father survived, gun violence, Halo 3, killing, mom dead, prison, teen, violence, youth
About the Author
Yasmin Shiraz is the President of Still Eye Rise Films, an independent production company which films educational and thought provoking documentaries that chronicle the lives, traumas and experiences of youth. Her first production, Can She Be Saved?, a documentary that examines violence among middle school girls, was an official selection of the 2009 Roxbury Film Festival and recently won a 2009 Indie Award of Merit from IndieFest.
Yasmin Shiraz is the Award winning Author of Retaliation a novel about a community’s response to youth violence. In 2009, it was selected as one of the top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by the American Library Association. She is the author of The Blueprint for My Girls: How To Build A Life Full of Courage, Determination & Self Love (Simon and Schuster) and five other books. Her best selling “Blueprint” empowerment series is utilized as a self esteem, motivational, and educational tool at middle and high schools, after school programs, non-profit youth centers, as well as Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country. 
4 Comments for Teen Gets 23 years for killing over video game
June 16, 2009 at 9:10 pm
It’s sad that families have “allowed” themselves to become this distant from their children. Would this young man had been so “addicted” if he had been having a family interaction? It’s seems as if the designers of Wii have figured out that more FAMILY oriented products must be marketed to help bring families together.
This young man’s dad suing the company is not going to get them to stop making games of this caliber nor will it bring the mom back. Both the son and his dad are going to have a lifetime to think about the “what if’s” and “I shoulda” moments in their lives.
40 years for killing your mom . . . wow. 40 years for killing the person responsible for your life . . . ?????
June 22, 2009 at 12:17 pm
WOW!!!
July 13, 2009 at 10:44 am
RT @pwilsonjr: Children see. Children do. What do your children see in you? #dmwc
July 27, 2009 at 1:13 pm
23 years isnt enough! we are talking about a guy here who killed his mother with no excusable motive. and lets not forget that he also tried to kill both parents- thats attempted murder and murder in the first degree! i believe in God and in forgiveness, but justice needs to be served here..