Murder connected to Dark Tower

[sam peebles]

I'm sure this isn't the first time, and unfortunately, it probably won't be the last. A mentally ill individual has (supposedly) used King's work as inspiration, although whether it was an inspiration for the actual act of murder itself the article doesn't make clear (it also confuses Wolf as a character from the Dark Tower series). My heart goes out to both the victim and even the guilty party, who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. My heart also goes out to King, and I hope no one blames him for this act, and for at least this once, I also hope King doesn't read these posts, as there's no reason for this to weigh on him. Ms. Mod, if you think there's a chance this thread will reach King and upset him, please feel free to not post it.

http://www.telegram.com/article/2010...052/newsrewind

[Srbo]

Wow.
Horrible.
The guy has a friggin IQ of 140....
I don`t know wthat to say.

They better not blame Sai King for this one, I rememeber a long time ago when somebody commited suicide and the paretns blamed it on Ozzy Osbourne and his song.
Ozzy was cleared, but still, to have to go through all that....I hope nobody will ask Steve anything.

[guardianofthebeam]

This is truly awful. But books don't make murderers it just ain't that simple.

[JohnDalglish]

This is truly awful. But books don't make murderers it just ain't that simple.

Hi,

Like any sensible person I completely agree with you.

But hard pressed over-paid (dare I say, 'lazy'?) Defense attorneys clutching at straws may not agree, I fear.

Long days and pleasant nights

[frisbee]

I remember when Manson claimed that the philosophy behind his murders was Beatles music. Somehow, I don't think even today's defense attorneys can use these arguments to support their clients.

[fushingfeef]

The difference is that with Manson, the music was used by the prosecution to prove motive and Manson's connection to the murders. Nowadays the defense wants to use the book/music as an excuse. Either way this is very sad.

[SharonC]

Just confirms to me, once again, that some people will blame anything or anyone for their actions to avoid taking responsibility. Good heavens, if the number 19 from the Dark Tower series would drive a person to commit a crime, please do not tell them about World War Two. It might give them all kinds of ideas.

[GNTLGNT]

O.K., dime-store psychology time kids...and let me preface the preface by saying I'm an RN not a "brain 'splainer". IMO, the defense is going to go for the most sensationalistic element they can find i.e. the King tie-in. It won't hold up I feel, because Aspergers sufferers(and I've worked with a few), know the difference between right and wrong-their affliction is a high functioning one. I can see his soul being twisted by the inherent cruelty in his classmates and peers-which would amp the social awkwardness to a blind killing level. We've all been bullied-he just took it to a level we might have THOUGHT about-perchance while we were nursing our "wounds", we just happen to have a switch that flipped that impulse off-his was shorted out. Using Sai King as an excuse is frivolous! I know, I know-court of public opinion, perception and all that rot...but it would be like me saying that since I read "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" I'm compelled to shack up with seven addled wee people! It what it is, his "wiring" blew a fuse and someone died. God awful, but hopefully a lesson lies beneath-The Golden Rule applies. My spirit weeps for the lost-but redemption for this killer may be in some manner possible. I pray his soul finds rest, his heart hope and his mind healing.

[wally wonder]

isn't this much ado about nothing, as yet...

A mentally ill individual has (supposedly) used King's work as inspiration, although whether it was an inspiration for the actual act of murder itself the article doesn't make clear

...but then, intelligence is assigned on the basis of a book review, and so it goes.

[xkittyx]

Tak made me do it. (Totally being sarcastic)