SL Video: "Mac on Trial"

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From "TheOtherSideBand InSecondLife in April 20, a video about the justice system in the Tombstone roleplay community, "The arrest and trial of Mac McLeary."

Online "Swatting" Prank Leads to Death

by Bixyl Shuftan

It's fair to say most online gamers have heard of "Swatting." For those who haven't, this is when someone calls a police department and makes a phony claim of a serious crime, such as a hostage situation, at someone else's address. While hoax calls to the cops are nothing new, they've become more of a concern in recent years with angry video and computer gamers tracing down the address of a rival and calling the police to claim the person is either about to seriously harm someone or already has, with the intention of terrifying their target and possibly getting them arrested.

Not only is this a waste of taxpayer dollars and the policemen's time, and possibly diverting them from any real crimes at the moment, but there's the potential of the police shooting someone. And on Thursday December 28, it happened. Police in Wichita Kansas responded to a caller claiming he was holding people hostage at an address, and ended up shooting and killing a man whom had been doing nothing wrong.

As it turned out, the man wasn't even involved in the dispute that led to the crime. What had happened was two "Call of Duty" game players ended up arguing over a wager of just $1.50, and one whose Twitter handle happened to be "@SWAuTistic" made a call at the 911 center in the town of what he thought was his rival's address. But he had been given the wrong one. The caller claimed to have shot his father and holding the rest of the family hostage, and had poured gasoline around the house. The address police were given was that of Andrew Thomas Finch. Police shot Finch at his front door when his hand moved to his waist, and the unarmed man was killed. Finch was 28, and is survived by three children. The man's family has stated he wasn't a game player.

As news of the shooting spread, "@SWAuTistic" changed his Twitter address. But other gamers took pictures of and shared a tweet of his insisting he was blameless for what happened, "I DIDNT GET ANYONE KILLED BECAUSE I DIDNT DISCHARGE A WEAPON AND BEING A SWAT MEMBER ISNT MY PROFESSION". The call and tweets were traced to Tyler Barris, 25, of Los Angeles, whom was arrested. Barris has been in trouble before, charged and convited of making bomb threats to a TV station.

While there are no Federal laws about swatting, Barris faces a number of charges. On state level, he could be charged with reckless homicide, plus California has a law against swatting punishable by a year in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Sources: Wichita Eagle, Los Angeles Times, Click On Detroit,  PC Magazine, CNN,

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day: Relay For Life Jail and Bail

Covering the Relay for Life isn't completely without it's hazards. While at one on Saturday April 12, I ended up "getting served" with a warrant. I was bailed out after about forty minutes.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at a RFL "Jail and Bail."

By Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day - GUILTY!

Vixie Valiant in another "arresting" development.

By Bixyl Shuftan

“Jail and Bail” at the "Back to the 50’s Weekend" for RFL

This weekend was the "Back to the 50's" event for Relay for Life as people in the sim for the occasion had a number of events to go to, from the "Sock Hop" to the drive-in theater. But there was also one event that required a team effort, the "jail and bail," in which people would get arrested, and need their friends to help bail them out.

Read more in Events.

An Arresting Experience for Relay for Life

I was going about in Second Life when all of a sudden a group IM appeared, from Vixie Valiant.

“Ok, I am back in jail on a charge of chicken rustling. Come and donate to the Relay for Life to release me in this jail and bail event! It's all in good fun for a great cause. $4500L wins me my freedom, so come help release the cute fox for a good cause!” This was followed by a SURL, to the Dry Gulch sim.

I thought to myself, What has that vain, crazy, vixen gotten herself in this time? Gotten herself arrested in some Wild West town by some country sheriff whom didn’t take kindly to strangers suspected of doing no good. And even in the Metaverse, some find foxfolk with their fluffy coats, pointed ears, and bushy tails pretty strange.

There was silence for a while, then Vixie sent another group message, “Since nobody wants me released, how about coming down, donating in my name, and laughing at me behind bars?” That was followed by comments, “Can I laugh at you from here?” “Vixie is in jail!” “(laughter) Poor Vixie.” The vixen answered, “No, it's a Relay for Life fundraiser, have to laugh at me in person. ... I think I've raised $1L to free me so far.” “Can we donate to keep you in jail?” “She committed a fowl crime, stealing chickens.” “I plead innocent.”

I ported over, into a sim that was at first a bit gray with lag, but as it faded, I found myself in the middle of the street with a definite Wild West look, Dry Gulch USA. But instead of cowboys, most everyone around looked more like city dudes dropping by as tourists. I soon looked around, and found the jail. Next to the door was a board advertising other Relay for Life events, and a RFL Kiosk.

I also found the following notecard:


The Sheriff is: Mountain String.

1st Bond is set at : 5000L per person.

You may not post bond for yourself but can for each other or a friend. You can be rearrested if your friends feel you are a bad one to be set free!!

Re Arrest will cost the person requesting it : 1000L

2nd Bond and on will be set at : 2500 L per person

There is no limit to the times you can be rearrested!!!!!!!

All fees for arrests and bails will be paid directly to the Relay for Life Kiosk located at the jail.

At close of event anyone remaining in jail will have to pay a fine before being released.

Any questions on arrest, bonds, or rearrest and fee will all be direct to : Mountain, Sweeter, or Leala



I walked inside, and there were a few cells. Vixie was in one of them with a couple other girls. She was dressed in a fancy red gown, sitting on a chair propped up against the wall, and not saying anything. One of the deputies had a tag over her that stated she was to be IMed after a donation was made telling whom it was for.

I soon had to leave, so never did learn how long Vixie was in the slammer. But as the card with the rules stated, “You can be rearrested if your friends feel you are a bad one to be set free,” considering the comments of the others in the group chat, I could easily imagine a collection made to collect the fee to toss the vain vixen back behind bars.

Vixie Valiant is a member of the Passionate Redheads, a Relay for Life team.

Bixyl Shuftan