Original subtitles

He's got a strong heart.

Marissa is the fighter she always has been.

It's almost been six months. Is she going to come out of it?

I don't know.

Make things easier.

No, baby, there's no simple answer to this one.

I just wish I had a little more time to prepare.

Wasn't Gloria going to do this one? Yes, but she's on another assignment.

Plus, this is right up your alley.

I know it's late notice, but it's important that this message gets out.

I agree.

It's just hard to figure out what's really to blame.

It's not about blame. It's about truth.

Well, the truth is, two lives have been changed forever.

But they're still Joshua.

That's right.

The father has given you the gift of seeing into somebody's heart, angel

And you might well need to use that with this child.

Understanding why this happened is going to change everything.

Hello, Josh.

I'm Monica.

Do you know why I'm here?

The judge has asked me to talk to you about... Excuse me.

I would appreciate it if you put the game down for now.

Hey.

Piece of crap.

Why is he putting batteries in?

So, shall we begin?

All rise.

You may be seated.

When you walk down the road,

heavy burden, heavy load,

I will rise and I will walk with you.

I'll walk with you till the thunder...

Believe me, I'll walk with you.

In the matter of the state of Illinois versus Victor Jackson,

is counsel ready to proceed?

The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.

Defense is ready, Your Honor. Then let's go on with the opening statements.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this is not going to be an easy case.

It calls into question the very rules that govern a free society and our

to protect them.

What is not in question are the basic facts.

On December 17, 2002, the defendant, Victor Jackson, took his parents' car

without permission.

He went for a joyride with his 14 -year -old cousin, Joshua Walker.

Now, while on that joyride, they struck a young woman, Marissa Atkins, as she

stood on a street corner.

Marissa Atkins was seriously injured.

She remained in a coma six months later.

What you will be asked to decide is whether this tragedy was an accident or

whether it was the deliberate action of a young man who wanted to extend the

thrill of a video game that he should never have been playing in the first

place.

I gotta go get some batteries.

When we're finished?

We are finished.

You're not going anywhere.

What's up with this?

You're a material witness in this case.

No, I thought I didn't have to testify.

A new judge has been assigned, and you may be required to testify if I

that you're capable.

Capable of what?

Of telling the truth. Now sit down.

This is so lame. Where's Victor?

He's in court. The trial's begun.

It was just an accident.

Your name is Joshua Walker. You're 14 years old. Is this correct?

Stupid questions like that all day.

I will take that as a yes, ma 'am.

You've lived with your aunt and uncle in Oak Lawn since your parents divorced.

So?

This hasn't been an easy time for you.

It doesn't matter.

It does, Josh. Everything that has contributed to you being here matters.

Because as I look over your file, the young man described in it seems to have

gone through an awful lot of changes in a very short period of time.

Do you want to talk about it?

There's nothing to talk about. I haven't changed.

Nice cap.

What's a loser like you doing with it?

Give it back, Willie.

Who? Give it back, Willie.

I'm thinking no.

And I'm also thinking I can use a new bike to go with my new hat.

Ow. Cool in the cup.

Uh -oh.

Can't let that happen, can we, guys?

Uh -oh. Oh, no, no. What's going on?

What's going on?

Okay, say and keep your stupid bike, but the hat is mine.

Come on, let's get out of here.

and help your cousin with his stuff.

I'll go get her.

We're glad you're here, sweetheart.

You know, your parents didn't send you here because of anything you did.

They love you and they just need some time to work out their own problems.

Let me see that eye.

You need to put some more ice on it.

All over a baseball cap.

They do it all the time.

Yeah.

Well, guys like that are a fact of life, Josh.

You know?

There's nothing you can do about it.

I hate him.

You're really pushing your luck with this stuff, kid. I'm telling you.

The next time you ignore me, I lock you in the attic until you're 18.

So, will you show your cousin to the room?

Come on.

Just about had it with that kid.

Relax. He's 16.

It's a phase. And when do the good phases start?

Well, maybe Josh will have a good influence on Victor.

Yeah.

Maybe.

Uh,

which bet should I take?

1 ,000 points.

What's that?

It's a card at 2 ,000.

Wow, so sweet.

2 ,000 points.

3 ,000 points.

Victor was addicted to video games, and it didn't take him long to get his

younger cousin Joshua hooked on it, too.

The evidence is going to show that these boys played a game called Carjack 2000,

Millennium Mayhem, sometimes for days at a time.

Now, the thing with this game is that it calls on you to commit crimes in the

name of a cyber gang called the Brotherhood.

You get points for doing bad things.

Okay, these are virtual crimes. They're not real crimes.

But as these boys got drawn deeper into this world, all the lines got blurred.

So, tell me about Carjack 2000.

What do you want to know?

Everything. You and your cousin used to play it all the time. The police found a

list of cheats for Carjack 2000 in the car.

It must be a very interesting game. Oh, it's totally cool. First thing I do is

steal the car.

I got him. I got him. I got him. All right, watch out, man. He's got a gun.

no, no, no. Don't worry. I got my nutshell.

All right, get him, dude.

Welcome to the Brotherhood. Collect a new weapon.

All right, sights locked.

Ready to rock.

Step on the gas.

Streets come ahead.

Hey,

guys. What the hell?

Why are you so jumpy?

You just surprised us, that's all.

Just playing the game.

Okay. Playing the game. Well, it's dinner time, so turn it off and come on

I'll be down in a second. Okay.

Your master congratulates you for setting a new standard for death and

destruction.

Remember the sacred code.

Never betray your brothers or divulge the secrets of the streets.

And you will enjoy everlasting protection of the Brotherhood.

That's how we made it all the way to level 10.

You have to know all the tricks to get that far.

Oh, what are the tricks?

I can't tell you.

Why not?

Because I'd be breaking the code of conduct.

The evidence that you will hear in this case...

will prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Victor Jackson was no longer satisfied with killing people on TV.

He decided that he was going to experience the ultimate thrill. He was

take the game to the streets.

And on December 17th, he aimed his car at Marissa Atkins, and he stepped on

the gas.

Because in Carjack 2000, killing a prostitute gets you $20 ,000

bonus.

You may proceed with your opening statement, Counselor.

Thank you.

The prosecution has painted a compelling picture for you today.

Youth Gone Wrong, inspired by a game in which you are rewarded for violent

behavior.

That is a pretty easy target to point to.

But is it true?

What about the movies?

What about television?

What about rap music?

What about the nightly news? Because violence and crime are everywhere.

Victor started playing this game about a year ago. So what happened on December

17th that caused this alleged radical change in a young man who had never

shown criminal behavior?

There was no malice.

There was no forethought.

And there was no criminal intent.

Your grades began to fall about seven months ago.

Why is that?

Stupid teachers.

Well, it says here that you weren't turning in your assignments and you'd

surly and uncooperative in class.

I don't know what surly is.

It means rude.

You'd been an A student up until then, Josh.

Polite and attentive is how your teachers describe you.

They think that because you were angry with your parents, that's why you were

acting out.

What do you think?

Okay, well, perhaps we'll come back to that.

Let's talk about what happened the day that Victor ran into Marissa Atkins.

Were you and Victor acting out of heart in Carjack 2000?

No. People always try to blame video games and stuff for bad things that

Like those Columbine guys.

Everyone thinks they whacked out because they played video games.

I think they must have been kind of whacked out already.

So you don't believe the game had any influence on what you and your cousin

doing? No.

Man, don't be such a wuss, all right?

I got my license. I mean, it's all under control. Trust me. Yeah, I know, but

your mom told me that we took the car.

Well, it's a family car, isn't it?

Yeah. And we're family, okay? So relax.

Put this seat in.

Check it.

Remember Saul yet?

In a Hollywood film.

A gun teacher with a license to kill.

Semi -automatic in my Hollywood song. Going into John's house on fire.

Thinking I'm humorous.

Yeah. Alright.

Thinking I'm humorous.

That's right.

I never knew he could act this way.

Whoever proves the speaker is the king for a day.

So I may not make it out alive.

I'll make the headline.

As I die, you know I saw it.

In a Hollywood film, we are gonna give you a life to kill.

My heart is racing, shooting up adrenaline.

I'm going in, let the game begin.

Now, you don't think she's... Oh, yeah.

That's a hookup for sure.

The statement

that the boys gave to the policeman tells a story.

He was an inexperienced driver on a rain -slicked street.

So why did they leave the scene?

Because he was scared. He panicked.

He was driving too fast. He was not paying close enough attention, but he

not get behind the wheel of the car that day with the intention of murdering a

defenseless pedestrian.

We will hear the prosecution's case tomorrow morning.

We're adjourned until 9 a .m.

All rise.

One more question and the police officer will take you to your aunt and uncle.

What?

How do you feel about what happened with Atkins?

What do you mean?

Do you feel badly that this young woman was hurt?

No. I mean, why should I? She wasn't a woman.

She was just streets gone.

Street scum?

That's what he said.

It makes me crazy to hear someone, especially a kid, refer to another human

being as street scum.

When you reduce a person to a type, you make them seem less than human, and then

you don't have to deal with their suffering.

I believe that's what Josh is doing.

Well, Miss Wings, you better open that child's eyes before he loses something

more than his humanity.

You still think they weren't recreating that game out there?

Even if they were, it doesn't mean that what happened to Marissa wasn't an

accident and Victor deserves a fair trial.

That's right.

We're here to present, not to judge.

Don't forget that.

Street scum and gold.

Three thousand.

Yeah, drop scum.

How was your evening?

How much longer do I have to sit here?

Until they're ready for you in the courtroom.

There's something I would like you to take a look at.

Who's this?

Marissa Adkins.

First grade.

Here she is in eighth grade.

Okay.

This was a party her friend threw for her 15th birthday.

Later that day, her father got drunk and beat her up so badly that she ran away

and never went home again.

She wasn't much older than you are now.

This is her in Science Club.

She was in Science Club?

Yeah, she wanted to be an oceanographer when she grew up.

You're in Science Club, aren't you?

Josh, do you know why I'm showing you these pictures?

The car was registered to Deborah Jackson, the defendant's mother.

And you inspected the vehicle after the incident. Did you find anything

mechanically wrong with it?

No, the power steering and the power brakes were functioning properly.

So then based on your investigation, could you estimate when the defendant

to hit his brakes to avoid striking the victim?

There were no skid marks.

No indication that he made any attempt to stop.

Now think further.

Go with me.

Officer. Yes?

Is it... Is it possible...

that because of the slick streets, the defendant tried to stop, but instead

hydroplaned, leaving no skid marks.

Yes, sir. It's possible.

Thank you.

Nothing further.

You're excused, Officer Bassett.

Video games aren't child's play anymore.

They're a $6 .5 to $10 billion industry, depending on whose statistics you read.

Over 225 million games were sold just last year. Not child's play?

Could you explain what you mean by that?

I mean that the majority of games manufactured are not intended for kids.

Most of them reward some sort of violence.

The more violent the behavior, the greater the reward.

The industry rates them anywhere from E for everyone to M for mature or adult.

Does your research indicate that children do play games rated for adults?

Yes, all the time.

Thank you.

Professor Milgram, are you familiar with this game? It's called Carjack 2000

Millennium Mayhem.

It's very popular right now.

Could you please explain to us how points are scored?

Objection, Your Honor.

The prosecution has yet to show any relevant connection between the game and

charges against my client.

Your Honor, the jury needs to fully understand this game in order to

the connection.

I will allow it, Professor Milgram.

Stealing a car is anywhere from 1 ,000 to 5 ,000 points, depending on the model

of the year.

But if you kill the driver, your point total doubles.

Breaking through a police roadblock is 3 ,000 points, but you get 3 ,000 bonus

points for every officer and patrol car that you take out.

Killing a prostitute is a 20 ,000 -point bonus. In the game, they're called

street scum.

How long have you been a child psychologist, Dr. Warren?

24 years.

And you've studied the effects of violent images on children for... The

years.

Bailiff?

Doctor, could you tell us what we're looking at here?

This is a cross -section of eight composite brains taken from a study

at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio and

by John P. Murray at Kansas State University.

As you can tell by looking here at the posterior cingulate and here at the

amygdala, there is heightened neurological activity in the children

exposed to violent images.

Could you put that into layman's terms for us, Doctor?

It means that playing violent video games and watching violent movies or TV

shows activate areas in the brain involved in arousal.

This repeated exposure to media violence increases aggression and violent

behavior. and violent video games are by far the worst.

Really? Why is that?

Because unlike simply watching movies and TV shows, video games are

and that's how children learn. It's also the nature of video games to be

repeated over and over.

This repetition of aggressive response reinforces that kind of behavior.

These games teach them that there are a lot of bad people out there waiting to

hurt them, and then trains them to retaliate aggressively.

This is particularly troublesome in young people since they are still

their behavioral script, if you will.

The games encourage them to solve their problems through violence rather than

teaching a peaceful conflict resolution.

So in your opinion, Doctor, what happens to children who are exposed to

significant media violence?

Over time, their view of the world is distorted. They become desensitized to

pain they inflict.

Do you mean to say that...

They don't know the difference between right and wrong?

No. They just don't care.

Thank you, Doctor.

Nothing further.

You're a witness.

Dr. Warren?

It, uh... It's here.

Some researchers believe that playing these games can be a cathartic

for some children.

Yeah. So for those kids, the violence is an outlet for their aggression,

isn't it? Sort of like hitting a punching bag.

Well, hitting a punching bag is not the same experience as shooting a realistic

-looking character in a game.

Let's say that you have a child who really likes playing violent video

and he plays them for hours on end and days at a time. Is that child likely to

walk down the street?

and assault somebody.

No.

Thank you.

Redirect, Your Honor.

Doctor, do you think it's possible that an individual who's playing these games

for an extended period of time became so consumed by it that they are actually

more likely to commit a violent act, like running over a pedestrian?

Objection. That calls for a conclusion that is not supported by the evidence

presented.

I'll allow the doctor to respond, but I remind the jury this is his opinion,

not a definite fact.

In my opinion, the answer is yes.

But those studies are inconclusive to this point.

Is Carjack 2000 clearly marked as being only intended for those over the age of

17? Objection, Your Honor. That is not relevant to the content of the redirect.

I'm sorry, but the defense says if a child plays a video game. What I'm

to establish is whether it's clear or not that this game is not appropriate

someone under the age of 17.

You may answer the question.

Yes, the game is clearly marked.

Prosecution rests.

You're excused, Doctor.

Court will resume tomorrow morning.

All right.

What would you say to Marissa Atkins if you could speak to her?

Do you think she's never going to wake up?

I don't know.

Does it make a difference to you?

Yeah.

Kinda.

How?

Because she might not know who I am.

Whether she knows who you are or not shouldn't change the truth about how you

feel.

And it shouldn't change what you say in that stand tomorrow.

Yeah. I know I'm supposed to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but

the truth, right?

I watch TV.

All right, so, Mrs. Jackson, you reported your car stolen from your

right before the accident.

Yes, but I was mistaken.

You were mistaken?

Yes, I didn't know that my son's driver's license had come in the mail

that day.

And I had promised him that when he got it, we would share my car.

He didn't steal your car like it was a game. He took it without your

but with your implied consent.

Yes.

You know how kids are. They take everything you say literally.

Your witness.

Mrs. Jackson.

Were you aware that your son was in possession of an adult -rated game like

Jack 2000?

Yes, I bought it for him.

Did you know that it was an adult -rated game?

Yes, that's what the clerk at the store told me. But honestly, I mean, don't

they see worse on the news every night?

Besides, it was his 16th birthday, and he wanted it so much.

What could I say?

No more questions.

You can take your seat, Mrs. Jackson.

The defense calls Joshua Walker.

Raise your right hand.

You, Joshua Walker, swear that the testimony you're about to give is the

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help your God?

Yeah.

Joshua?

Why don't you tell me what happened in the car just before the accident?

Well, I was driving around listening to music and...

Victor made a turn and hit the gas.

And then what happened?

We drove for about a half a block, and this woman just

stepped off the curb right in front of the car.

Victor tried to stop, and he didn't have time, and we hit her.

He couldn't help it.

I know we should have stopped.

It seems she was okay and everything, but... We were just so scared.

So we just drove straight home.

Thank you, Josh.

Is there something wrong here?

Counsel, will you approach the bench, please?

Let the record show the victim, Marissa Atkin, has recovered sufficiently.

to be present for this testimony.

There will be a 15 -minute recess.

What did she say?

She's expected to make a full recovery.

No. About the accident, what'd she say?

She didn't talk about the accident.

What?

She doesn't remember what happened that day.

Nothing?

No.

You seem relieved.

Oh, yeah.

I mean, I'm glad she's gonna be okay.

Are you telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Yeah, thanks for helping God.

That oath shouldn't be taken lightly, and neither should God.

You lied on the stand today, Josh. You're lying again now.

No, I'm not.

How would you know anyway?

I know because God told me.

I'm an angel.

You're not.

You're black.

I don't have to listen to that.

I am an angel and God sent me here with a message for you.

Are you serious?

Yes.

So God, he saw everything?

Yes.

You came here to take me to hell?

No.

He sent me here to tell you how much he loves you.

God knows that you're hurting, Josh.

He knows how lonely you are, how scary it is to watch your family falling

But God is a father who will never leave you.

He hurts when he sees the hole that your parents have left in your heart.

And he cries when he sees you trying to fill it with terrible things.

Like Cardiac 2000?

Like anything that encourages you to hate instead of love.

To kill instead of heal. To play games with your feelings instead of facing

them.

So I'm not supposed to play video games anymore?

You can learn wonderful things from some video games, but violence isn't one of

them.

They will never heal your heartache or take away your anger.

And they'll never bring you peace.

I know how hard it is to figure out what peace is when you're only 14.

But it's when there's no pain in your heart.

When you don't feel afraid.

When you know that you're safe and loved and cared for and God wants you to

feel all those things.

Marissa didn't feel safe or loved or cared for and she made a very wrong

Instead of asking God for help, she gave up her dreams, her hopes, and

eventually she gave up herself.

Josh, please, don't make the same mistake.

I lied, Monica, about what happened in the car.

I know, but there's still time to make it right.

How?

You go back in there and you tell the truth.

Yes, there will be consequences to pay but it's the right thing to do and if

ask God for help Then you'll know just what to say I'm scared

I understand you want to make some changes in your testimony.

Yes, ma 'am.

Well, I like the changes I'm hearing already.

Go ahead.

Like I said, we were driving around the corner and Victor

noticed this woman.

What? Come

on,

baby. Why don't you show us what you've got?

No, you don't think she's... Oh, yeah.

Look, man, that's 20 ,000 points right there.

You know the score.

Yeah, I do, but let's go home and play the game. You know what? I'm sick and

tired of playing this on TV.

Let's play it right here.

I know.

That's a lot.

Radio Rock!

Hit the get!

I said it.

I said it, but I didn't really mean it.

It didn't feel real.

But it was real.

I'm sorry.

I'm really, really sorry.

I know all about what happened to you.

I know you were in science club and I was in science club too.

I didn't know.

We didn't know you were a person.

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

On the charge of violating Chapter 720, Act 5,

Section 8, dash four of the penal code of the state of Illinois, the jury

finds the defendant guilty.

The defendant will remain in custody until sentencing in one week.

Your Honor, may I please speak to my client privately?

I think that's a good idea. Bailiff, take them to my chamber.

I would like to thank the jury for good work because this was a very difficult

case. To the reporters in here, I want you to take down every word because this

is pertinent to parents everywhere.

Children want all sorts of things.

They want candy.

They want to stay up late.

They want to play games not meant for them.

that you can use to answer them.

The word is no.

N -O.

A big dose of vitamin no.

Now, you would not allow your children to eat only fast food every day.

So why are you allowing them to learn how to murder people?

Look on the box, people.

Think of what you're doing. It's your children's future.

This court is adjourned.

All right.