Man Behind Fatal "Swatting" Makes Plea For 20 Years in Prison

In December 2017, online gamer Tyler Barris make a hoax or "swatting" phone call that resulted in a man being shot and killed. On February 25, his attorney made a plea offer in court asking that he get a twenty year prison sentence.

The incident happened on December 28, 2017 when Barris argued with another gamer over a $1.50 wager over a "Call of Duty" game. He made a call from his Los Angeles California home at the police department of what he thought was his rival's address at Wichita Kansas, saying he had shot his father and kidnapped the rest of the family, and had poured gasoline around the house. Police responded by sending officers to the address, which was a house owned by 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 survived by three children. The man's family has stated he wasn't a game player.

Barris, whose Twitter address at the time was "@SWAuTistic," initially boasted about the event, "That kids house that I swatted is on the news." But hearing someone was dead as a result, his response was to insist he was blameless, "I DIDNT GET ANYONE KILLED BECAUSE I DIDNT DISCHARGE A WEAPON AND BEING A SWAT MEMBER ISNT MY PROFESSION." He changed his Twitter address, but other gamers had taken pictures and shared it. The call and tweets were soon traced to him, and he was soon arrested by local police.

Given a total of 51 Federal charges, some related to other fake phone calls and threats, Barris pled guilty to all of them as part of a plea agreement in return for the shortest time in prison, which is 20 to 25 years. Two other gamers, Casey Viner of North College Hill Ohio and Shane Gaskill of Wichita Kansas (the city the crime took place), have also been charged in the case. They have pled not guilty and are scheduled to go to trial on March 15.

Barris' defense attorney claimed in court that his client's actions were a product of the gaming community's culture, and that being known as a swatter there "became an intoxicant" to him as he spent most of his time indoors playing computer games. His only family has been his grandmother, and has never held a job. "With no guidance, no structure, school, or employment," his defense attorney argued, video games, "became his salve to social acceptance in a virtual world." The defense attorney claimed Barris was genuinely remorseful for what happened. Barris has also written a letter to the Finch family, saying that he thinks every day about the incident and begged for forgiveness.

In April 2018, a glitch at a jail Internet kiosk set up for the purpose of allowing limited functions such as ordering items from the prison commissary allowed Barris temporary access to the Internet, which he used to access his Twitter, posting messages such as "All right, now who was talking s**t? Your *ss is about to get swatted" and "Y'all should see how much swag I got in here."

Tyler still faces separate state charges, including involuntary manslaughter.

Sources:  CTV News, ArsTechnica

Bixyl Shuftan

Maxwell Graf of Rustica Asks For Help Due to Real Life Eviction

by Bixyl Shuftan

Maxwell Graf, best known for being a content creator and his well-designed sim Rustica is in trouble. A few days ago, he sent a plea for help, saying the house he and his wife were supposed to spend their retirement in will soon be lost due to a falling out with the wife's family, "We have to vacate ... This is terrifying. We have no savings, we have to credit cards to run up. Even in a best case scenario, we can only afford a small two-bedroom apartment ... What I want is a safe place for Cheryl and my dogs to sleep at night. Nothing else matters. I am not the kind of person who wants a handout ... What I am asking is that you take a visit to my sim (Rustica) and purchase an item or two, or visit my admittedly small marketplace store and find something there. If you want something but it costs too much, IM me and I will send it to you for whatever you do have. ... Every single item will make a very real difference in this crazy transition, and I honestly have never needed your help and support more in my life."

I got in contact with Maxwell, and we talked about his situation. He didn't have anything to add about his real-life situation other than "my schedule is absolutely messed up crazy right now, and going to go dark here at any time due to the move." But not everything was going bad, "I can say this.I have never before experienced the kind of love and caring and support that I have seen from so many people for Cheryl and I. In the middle of those closest to us, the siblings who are doing this to us, we have had an army of people we only know through 'virtual reality' do the most amazing things for us.  It's such a strange dichotomy. I mean, people I have never even heard of sending me five or ten dollars to my Paypal somehow (I did not give it out), and randomly sending me lindens. People offering to let us stay with them, people offering to come help us pack. It's just amazing and I've been crying a lot.(smile).

"There IS love and kindness in the world, beyond what I have ever known. I have always had a hard time asking for help, so I am just a pile of mush lately with the outpouring we have had from the SL community. ... amazing people. Never believe that this place is just a bunch of sex addicts or trolls or fashionistas, like they would have us believe. I know you never felt that way and I have not either, but this goes beyond what I have ever experienced. So much love from people."

For anyone wishing to help out, head over to the Rustica sim, Rustica (130/116/58), to purchase an item, or do so at Rustica's Marketplace page.

Source: Prim Perfect

Bixyl Shuftan