Anyone following the trial of Jack Thompson for at least the past few months has known that things have grown slightly heated in the courtroom, not really because of anyone but Thompson himself but thats not entirely suprising, through arguements and name calling and walking out in the middle of things in a huff it seems he has finally accomplished his goal and shown the Florida Bar how it's done, their 10 year suggestion was shot down in flames today to their dismay and everyone elses.
Instead, the judge has recommended something more, something almost fitting of Thompson and his conduct to this point, a permanent disbarment and a $43,675 charge for all the costs incurred by the Florida Bar.
Here's the quote Game Politics pulled for all to see.
The Florida Bar has recommended disbarment for a period of ten (10) years. This Court respectfully declines to follow the Bar’s recommendation... This case involves factual findings of cumulative misconduct, a repeated pattern of behavior relentlessly forced upon numerous unconnected individuals, a total lack of remorse or even slight acknowledgement of inappropriate conduct...
Additionally, the Court is taking into consideration a review of the Respondent’s conduct not only as proven by the evidence, but by what this Court has witnessed of the Respondent’s behavior throughout the eighteen (18) months of litigation. The undersigned finds no evidence whatsoever to indicate that the Respondent is amenable to rehabilitation, or even remotely appreciates the basis upon which a need or purpose for such rehabilitation is warranted...
Over a very extended period of time involving a number of totally unrelated cases and individuals, the Respondent has demonstrated a pattern of conduct to strike out harshly, extensively, repeatedly and willfully to simply try to bring as much difficulty, distraction and anguish to those he considers in opposition to his causes. He does not proceed within the guidelines of appropriate professional behavior, but rather uses other means available to intimidate, harass, or bring public disrepute to those whom he perceives oppose him.
Thus, after careful consideration of the underlying facts in the instant cases, together with the Florida Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, the applicable aggravating and mitigating factors and the precedent case law, this Court makes the following recommendations for John Bruce Thompson:
A. Permanent disbarment, with no leave to reapply for admission.
B. Disciplinary costs currently totaling $43,675.35.
Really it brought a bit of a tear to my eye by the time I finished reading that. I salute all of those involved in the process, not only did it take a huge amount of tolerance to not just throw the gavel at Thompson but it took a lot of uniting that may have never come about had this force not presented itself in front of them.
The world is safe again and video game creators can sleep easy until the next threat arrives. Oh and yes the Tom Cruise image was totally appropriate.
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