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A man accused of firebombing three New Jersey synagogues may have been influenced by violent Xbox video games that aggravated his mental issues, his attorney said Tuesday.
The man, Anthony M. Graziano, 19, of Lodi, N.J., has pleaded not guilty to first-degree attempted murder, bias intimidation and aggravated arson, among other charges, for two attacks on synagogues. Graziano was in court Tuesday to seeking a reduction in his $5 million bail, which Superior Court Judge Liliana DeAvila-Silebi cut in half because Graziano is destitute.
No one was seriously injured when several objects, including a rigged aerosol can and a Molotov cocktail, were thrown into a Rutherford synagogue on Jan. 11, but one of the devices crashed through a residential window at about 4:30 a.m., burning a rabbi on the hand. His wife, five children and mother- and father-in-law escaped unscathed. The other two attacks also occurred in early January.
Graziano's attorney, Robert Kalisch, speaking outside court after the hearing Tuesday morning, described Graziano as a young man with mental health issues who had few friends and played violent games on his Xbox. Kalisch didn't say which games Graziano played.
"This is someone who may (have been), with their own problems they have within their own head, taken over by these games that young people play now — lots of violence, lots of meanness," Kalisch said, NBC station WNBC of New York reported.
(The Xbox system is made by Microsoft Corp., which is co-owner of msnbc.com in a joint partnership with NBCUniversal.)
Kalisch said Graziano called for an ambulance to come to his home in November, telling emergency workers that he was "feeling crazy or something."
Read more on this story at NBCNewYork.com
Graziano was taken to hospital, where doctors recommended that he see a psychiatrist, Kalisch said.
"When you have emotional, psychiatric, psychological problems and you get involved in these games, the whole aura of it pervades, and it's not a game anymore. It becomes reality," Kalisch said.
Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Martin Delaney argued against the reduction in bail, telling DeAvila-Silebi that Graziano was "hell-bent on destruction and murder."
Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli told reporters Tuesday last week that investigators found multiple Molotov cocktails in a wooded area near the Jewish Community Center of Paramus, The Jewish Standard reported. He said they traced the evidence to a foiled attack they believe Graziano had been planning for Jan. 7.
Authorities believe he acted alone and had no connection with the synagogues he targeted. They said he simply Googled temples that were close enough that he could reach them on his bicycle.
The attacks kept Jewish residents of the ethnically and religiously diverse communities of Bergen County, part of the New York metropolitan area, on edge for weeks until Graziano was arrested last week.
"We have no doubt that the arson and the attempted murder in Rutherford were directly the result of Mr. Graziano's hatred for people of the Jewish faith," Molinelli said. "We believe that he did this because they were synagogues and specifically to intimidate and cause alarm or concern to people of the Jewish community."
Graziano used empty raspberry Crush soda bottles, motor oil, duct tape and three cans of hair spray to create the bombs, Molinelli said. Detectives searched for stores where those items could be purchased together, which led them to a Wal-Mart store in Rutherford.
Security footage of Graziano buying the ingredients prompted tips that led to his arrest late Jan. 23, Molinelli said.
Authorities believe the attacks could point to a pattern of escalation had they not been thwarted by law enforcement, Molinelli said.
In addition to searching the Internet for how to build weapons, police found, Graziano searched the Web for any news coverage of the attacks. He also owned a firearm purchaser's ID, which would have allowed him to buy a rifle or a shotgun for hunting purposes, but not a handgun.
Graziano's father, also named Anthony Graziano, told WNBC last week that his son was a "great kid."
"This is not my son," the elder Graziano said. "This kid loves everyone."
Brian Thompson of NBC station WNBC of New York contributed to this report by M. Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. Follow M. Alex Johnson on Twitter and Facebook.
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I remember when lawyers/clerics/parents thought Space Invaders made kids violent. Before that it was pinball.
Hey, the guy already had mental problems. If he wasn't playing games then something else could just as easily set him off, like seeing a squirrel bury a nut.
You forgot Rock and Roll. And Billiards.
Oh you got trouble. Trouble with a capital T and rhymes with P and that stands for pool.
Just great, what next? Having to get a psych examination done and a note from a doctor stating that we are mentally sound to be able to buy "games" for xbox?
I had an idea for a shirt a long time ago, maybe i should get it printed. just says on the front of it "Duck Hunt taught me to kill people"
If i could only get my hands on one of those spaceships from Astroids..........
So it's the video games, and not the RASPBERRY CRUSH?
Are we SURE?
Let's face it, some of these videos are extremely violent and could definitely generate very hostile feelings that one might not exhibit when playing a video game of golf.
I took x-box live out my home back in 2004 or 2005 due to the outburst of obsenities, anger and violence directed at other players, including my two sons, by those who couldn't grasp the concept it was "just a game". If no one is noticing that younger kids today are exhibiting highly violent behaviors than previous generations, then maybe society isn't paying attention?
I am in no way defending him as he will be charged and based solely upon the evidence will receive some form of penal punishment. However, no one can truly say whether or not these video games had the same kind of power over him, that noise pollution had with the Unibomber.
Let us not forget that it was Comics in the 50s and Jazz before that. It's always some else that caused people to behave badly. No one wants any personal responsibility. That's why we have "demons" and "the devil."
Lynnx
Perhaps your sons shouldnt have been playing an M rated game to begin with, as most if not all shooters are rated for 17+
Video games have ratings for a reson, I cant count how many times when I worked at an electronics store that I saw parents buying M rated games for kids clearly too young to even be in high school. And they all knew what they were doing, as I asked them all before I rung it up.
And heavy metal music, lets not forget that old chestnut. I still remember Dee Snyder testifying on the issue to members of congress. Besides, I may be old, but as a avid gamer of both Ps3 and xbox, I cannot recall a single "antisemitic" video game, nor one where you firebomb synagogues.
How could I forget Dee Snyder proving that Tipper Gore has a filthy mind! lol
Society is NOT more violent than it used to be... I wish people would quit saying that... a serial killer from today would make an excellent hoard leader in ancient Mongolia... A teenager from this century is no more bloodthirsty than the teenagers of last century or of the last ten centuries.
Does everyone conviently forget history once they get out of history class? Hell, even the bible is filled with rape, mass murder, hate crimes, discrimination and just plain evil people.
I cannot understand people who are so surprised by the dark side of human nature. People kill... they like killing... they have always liked killing... killing is part of all societies in history... there is NO SUCH THING as a "murder-free-happy-time, golden age" of any society.
So this lawyer is going to blame the game...hmm...I bet ya no one cared to do anything before all of this..."something strange about him, but that's just the way he is," or "it's no big deal...he's just moody/sad/pissed/whatever...he'll get better.."
They admitted he already hated Jews...UDunno is right...something else would have set him off, eventually...stop blaming video games and violence on television..
What? I thought we were still blaming heavy metal and Ozzy for this sort of thing!
I play Xbox games, have watched videos about games etc....look, blame the real people who are at fault, himself and his parents for being such Douchebags...no video game i know of tells anyone to go out and target anyone jewish...and even if there is or were...its no damn excuse for being such a loser.
Leave XBox out of it..
We all know it was Eminem that made him do it >.>
I've played Halo since the first one came out. Even today I don't have a desire to kill aliens. Religious fanatics sure, but not aliens.
SpryLynnx - did you ever stop to think that much of the behavior is caused not by the games but by the fact that they have come to think they can get away with it in today's society, after all no one is responsible for their personal actions, it is the parents fault, the schools, fault, the churches fault, the GAMES fault.......
Come on now lets not forget the twinkie defense./s
When are people going to take responsibility for their actions? Oh yeah thats right they will never do that because there is a scumbag lawyer ready to blame others and judges and juries let them get away with it! It is no longer guilty or innocent, it is now "yeah i did it but the game,twinkie,music,etc... made me do it.
Ah yes, the video games made me do it defense.
Has it ever worked? Don't (like all) experts claim video games do not encourage violence?
Most experts agree that video games are a great outlet for venting daily anger and frustration. It has also been said that most avid gamers have the reflexes of fighter pilots, increased hand-eye coordination and improved logic/problem solving skills.
This angers me.. The guy was already looney tuned! Next they will go back to TV made me do it... Sheesh. I can't wait to hear the soccer moms weigh in on this one..
Actually the TV defense is closer to the truth. The news shows more violence and reaches far more people than XBox ever will. This guy wanted to be famous and checked the news and other media for reports of his attack.
So it was not XBox but CNN that made him do it.
Now its video games, it was, TV, rock and roll, movies, comic books, pulp fiction paper backs, Catcher in the Rye, and others I just cant remember. It is always something else, not the persons mental problems or poor parenting. I have played and loved GTA but you know I don't want to kill any one or burn down their house, or steal cars. Must be something wrong with me.
Don't forget Twinkies.
...neighbor's dog...
Robin -
Thanks for reminding people. I still have trouble trusting Labrador retrievers.
And here I am, thinking it was Graziano's anti-Semitism that spurred him to bomb synagogues. Silly me!
We could just as easily blame those Christian religions that say "The Jews killed Christ" as to blame a video game. After all, I'm certain that you won't find any anti-semitic references in any video game.
I think the argument this guy's lawyer was giving that the violence in video games drove him to attack synagogues.
Could be he thinks his Italian name means he should be an old style gangster...with mental issues, who knows. However, if he knows the difference betwee right and wrong, it doesn't really matter anyway.
hey the twinkie defense worked so anything is possible
Actually it didn't work.
The Twinkie defense was about as good as the ol' "she fell on the knife 57 times" defense.
It takes real balls to admit the guy has mental problems...but it's video games that are to blame here.
Wait, not balls. What's the other word? Oh yeah, ignorance.
I was thinking something more along the lines of absolute stupidity, but ignorance will work too.
OFFS - "the XBox made me do it"............
Maybe someone should find out how this "great kid" who "loves everyone," came to be so destitute he cannot afford to make $5Million in bail, but by some definition of "destitute" that I am unfamiliar with, he can get out on bail if it's reduced to $2.5Million. What's he going to do, sell his XBox? That may be a good idea. Get off the video game and contemplate the error of his ways, and while he's at it, he can look up the definition of repentance, so he can lie to a judge more convincingly. What a bunch of horse-stuff! LOL!!! You just cannot make stuff up like this America because the truth is stranger than fiction. And before you do-gooder, feel-sorry-for-the-criminal types get up on your high horses, maybe you should gallop over and help repair the synagogues this poor ne'r-do-well damaged and pay the rabbis medical expenses. Then we can discuss helping the perpetrator-victim and rebuilding his fragile little ego and poor self-esteem.
The article didn't say that he would be able to post the $2.5 million bail, just that the judge cut the $5MM bail in half. By cutting it, the judge looks like he carefully weighed the circumstances even if the result is the same ... the kid stays in jail.
Next up: Siri told me to do it...
Hahaha Leave her out of this!! LOL
"ive found 7 helpless victims, 3 reletively close to you..."
Moheeheeko... thanks for making me spit my drink out from laughing. Great post!
Ambulance chaser.
Games don't work that way. This guy is dangerous and crazy and needs to be removed from society and given the help he needs. What he played on his xbox, watched on tv, read in a book, saw in the park, heard on the bus, or ate for breakfast are not to blame for his choices, and to say otherwise is ridiculous.
Maybe for you, but not everyone else. There are those who suffer from what used to be called "poor sportsmanship" and take it to the extreme. Some are just wired differently or have a warped sense of right and wrong.
One of my legal clients mother was institutionalized for gouging out her ears and eyes with scissors to stop the noises in her head! Don't pain everyone with the same broad brush, as humanity will confound and confuse you.
The same people who are wired wrong are not only going to flip out over a game, but they'll also flip out and shoot you because you cut them off on the highway or because your dog peed on their lawn. It's not "poor sportsmanship" - it's the inability to control their rage and their impulses.
Man I play PS3 and PC games all the time, I guess that's why I go to work everyday, never call in sick, put food on the table, Pay my Bills, and I'm not out killing anyone today. Its all do to the Graphic, Violence and Empire Building games I play.
HMM I don't think so...
Wow, the Evil X-Box made him do it.....
Couldn't be his own anti-semitic attitude and hatred for anyone 'different?' It was the violent games he played.
::eyeroll::
LOTS of people play these games and they don't firebomb buildings or think the game is reality.
If Chewbacca lives on Endor..... you must acquit!
THAT does not make sense!
Ewoks live on the Forest Moon of Endor.
Wookies, not so much.
So by your logic, he is guilty.
Deemo and Tired...you DO know that Star Wars is just a movie, right?
bluepanther20 - Right. Next, you'll be saying that Harry Potter isn't really a wizard.
Crying shame...DAMMIT...you ruined everything!!
So I wonder if this moron of a lawyer would accept mental health screenings as a requirement for purchasing certain games or if he would then sue for discrimination.
I really hate most lawyers.
If violence in the media influenced people to commit attrocious acts I think we would be seeing the crime rate shoot through the roof. Violence is glorified in movies, video games, books, television programs, etc.
His intolerance, ignorance and hate are to blame. Entertainment is not a cause for violence. It is just a symptom.
Thats bull crap, they always have to blame the video game, its just a stupid excuse to make him sound like hes not a monster....
In other words "I got nothing".
Kid should request a new lawyer, this guy is obviously retarded.
Oh! So it's the Xbox's fault that the guy was already bonkers. Wow, I think we should take this case to all Hospitals , maybe it's the video game industries fault also about lots of the sick there too.
What's really sad is he was playing "Lego Star Wars"...........just sad.
Lawyer, "Hmmm...if it's heads I'll blame XBox, tails it's his tighty whities being too constricting and affecting circulation to his brain." Flips coin....
If I choose to break the law, Im not going to try to panzi my way out of my accountability bcz of our American system of innocent until proven guilty. unfortunately, while I agree with that legal premise, it hasnt done anything to impress upon ppl the accountability of their decisions. The typical american holier than thou, i didnt do it, attitude is why this country is such a welfare state, ppl want freedom without the responsibility that is necessary to have it. Ppl EXPECT something for nothing or this case, this loser thinks he should blame Xbox.
This POS should be firebombed while he's trying to play his precious Xbox. And, I don't care if he is or isnt destitute, if you wana play, you gotta pay. Better give the whole bail, to give something to think about, like the consequences of being an idiot thug.
Video games? Really? I can't believe this still comes up. So there is a video game that teaches people how to build weapons or where to get a firearm purchaser's ID. I am surprised that no one is pointing to the hair spray industry or Crush products for being involved.
Sorry Mr. Graziano, your son is not a great kid; he is an arsonist and attempted murderer. There is evidence of pre-meditated violence against these synagogues. While in jail he should be compelled to listen to Eddie Cantor singing "If you knew Susie" and "My Yiddishe Mama" and force fed gefillte fish! Then send him off to trial! Kids do not develop hatred on their own, what lessons has he learned from you, Signore?
Your honor, between you and me, the Barbie Hotwheels game made me do it! She wouldn't stop calling, so I showed her what a real Ken Jeep can do! I didn't mean to kill her though! I thought she'd just respawn!
...
If you're so screwed up games are making you do things, you shouldn't have access to the games... or movies, or music... Because you know... There's nothing in music that suggests getting drunk, breaking stuff... Unless you're listening to rap, then it's all about drugs, beating your b**ch, and shooting a (insert racial term here).
And video games are violent? Seriously? WTF... HAVE ANY OF THESE PEOPLE EVER WATCHED HOSTEL? THAT IS VIOLENT. Makes any game I've played look like Super Mario Bros >.>
"Video games made me do it!" is getting old. It's about as annoying as trying to use "I'm insane!" as an excuse. You're liable for your own actions, despite whatever is screwed up in your head. If you can't be in society, gtfo.