Jack Thompson In Court: The Video!

Destructoid's on-the-scene coverage of the Miami court case featuring crazy lawyer Jack Thompson versus Bully just gets better and better. Now they've actually got a – video camera in the courtroom! Watch a calm, collected Judge Ronald Friedman tell JT that his conduct is "inappropriate, unprofessional, and contemptible."

Speaking of that last one, Friedman, who recused himself from the proceedings as of this hearing, actually does repeat towards the end that Thompson "continues to show disrespect for this court" and that his conduct "may very well be... contemptible, but that's for another judge to decide." JT shouldn't get all comfy about not being in jail, just yet.

Also, it's hard to hear all the audio, but the video begins with
Friedman explaining his actions during the trial. I feel a lot better about this guy now that he's proven himself on the correct side of the first amendment:

...this court should have put together, should not have viewed the tape at all, the video game as you want to call it, right.
What this court should have done is [unintelligible] the defendant's motion on 1st amendment rights, and never have taken the time to review the video game. However, if I did anything improper it may have been to avoid [unintelligible]. This court can review a video tape if found to have an immediate impact such that it would incite violence. i did go out on a limb and I did review the game and I did not find [unintelligible] such that it would incite violence.

Okay – I'm glad he gets it. As you might recall, I was a bit worried about this, but checking on the whole "likely to incite violence" thing is important; "fire" in a crowded theater and all that. He goes on:

The fact that Mr. Thompson has people who believe [it may incite violence] is not the test. If that were the test, then he has a very strong argument. But that is not the test. As i said in my order, this might be a game that I wouldn't want for my child, but that's not the test.

This court bent over backwards to make sure there was no immediate threat.