A teenager may lose out on more than just his account privileges after an argument over a popular video game was brought to the attention of authorities. League of Legends player Justin Carter may see felony charges for threats that he made on Facebook.
Carter was arrested this March after some incendiary comments were made on Facebook regarding his match. According to the Dallas Observer, another player online called Carter “crazy,” which sparked the teen to reply that he was “f**ed in the head, alright,” and that he was going to “shoot up a kindergarten and watch the blood of the innocent reign down.” He is also quoted as having said he was “going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts.”
Lawyers for the teen say he was merely joking, although it was in poor taste. The player also posted “jk” and “lol” following these frightening threats. The initial post, however, was enough to give Texas prosecutor’s probable cause. He was charged with making terrorist threats in the third degree, and Carter was arrested for his remarks online. Arrested February 14, 2013, Carter’s idle threats came just two months after the Sandy Hook school massacre.
According to the individual in Canada who sent the anonymous tip to the Austin Police Department in Texas, Justin had also made other off-color remarks that were visible on his Facebook page, including several posts suggesting that other users “shoot themselves in the face” or “drink bleach.” Within an hour of the League of Legends player’s online comments, the anonymous tip prompted investigation from local authorities. When Austin Regional Intelligence Center ran the teen’s name, it showed that he did indeed live within 100 yards of an elementary school.
Jailed for four months, the League of Legends player is facing up to 10 years in prison for his Facebook threats if he is convicted of felony charges of terrorism. During the months that Carter was incarcerated, his lawyer Don Flanary claims that jail was h*ll for the young offender. Justin’s lawyers, Flanary and Chad Van Brunt, who are working the case pro bono, attest that the young man was the victim of several brutal attacks, as well as sexual assault while incarcerated. He goes on to say that his client’s arrest is unfounded, unconstitutional and unwarranted. Without a clear and present danger or evidence of a true threat, the First Amendment should protect Carter’s right to free speech in this case, his lawyer insists.
From a fan of League of Legends to facing felony charges for alleged terrorist threats made on Facebook, this player spoke to CNN and offered his advice to anyone who likes to speak out online. People should be very cautious about what they say online, said Carter, because “it’s being recorded all the time if you say it on any website anywhere.” Carter adds that he never anticipated his comments would become so blown out of proportion. With the video game aficionado’s bail set at a steep half a million dollars, Carter might still be in jail today were it not for the kind and anonymous donation of $500,000 bail July 11, 2013. Carter currently resides with his grandmother in San Antonio while awaiting trial. According to the Comal County judicial records, a trial by jury is currently set for Justin Carter at 9 a.m. on October 27, 2014.
By Mariah Beckman
Sources:
Washington Post
Kotaku
OnGamers
Austin Chronicle
Game Front
Comal County Records
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12 Responses
If you want to make a sarcastic, tasteless remark and NOT get sent to a gulag, move to Russia!
“The player also posted “jk” and “lol” following these frightening threats.”
Seriously, some perspective please? There is nothing whatsoever frightening about these threaths. The hyperbole is typical for a teenager and you see it all the time in games unfortunately. No surprise they put it on facebook too.
Ban them from the game and facebook to teach them to behave, sure. Would be great since parents seem to ignore what their kids do online, I doubt kids would say half the things they say to strangers online to their parents or even any person they know.
But when I read about “The blood of the innocent reign down” “eat their still, beating hearts.” I know enough to not take it seriously. The US courts must not have enough to do for this to go to court …
This case is an example why people should be prosecuted for how they behave on the net. I’m all for it. Anyone familiar with online gaming knows the hostility of some of these people. Start holding them accountable for what they say and do to other people online. This case (if a win for the prosecution) will be the beginning of a new era of online accountability.
…a new era, with a 19 year old scapegoat
The prosecutor is going to lose big when this case finally goes to court in a few months. After Justin wins this case I hope he chooses to sue for malicious prosecution. The prosecutor is going to end up in very hot water.
Just wait till the jury finds him guilty. If they found the killers of Kelly Thomas not guilty, putting Carter in jail is the logical next step.
I like how the state is wasting money on this. Do they really not know how many rage fits these kids have over the internet?
Only in texas we really need to seperate ourselves from this state
Really…..Might want to take a look at where the real school shootings are happening…..ID 10 T error….
This is old…. isnt this like 2 years old?
As someone who plays the game, his statements are pretty tame. Lot of angry kids out there spending too long being “faceless”
why is this a story now??/ really?/ with all the bs going on/ they’re gonna take the time to follow this/ i’m friends with the little prosecuting bi***