US lawyer links video game to murder plot

The 16-year-old was arrested in Massachusetts after police uncovered a plot to kill students, teachers, and emergency service workers on the anniversary of the Columbine massacre next April.

Reports said Tobin Kerns had admitted he planned to kill innocent civilians and then "mow down" responding police and firefighters.

The local police department uncovered evidence he had used the Anarchist Cookbook to fashion homemade bombs, just as Columbine killers Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris did in 1999.

Miami attorney Jack Thompson believes Grand Theft Auto, developed by Edinburgh-based games company Rockstar North, may have been played by the teenager, desensitising him to killing.

Mr Thompson claims Kerns owned the game, saying detectives told him "that was one of his favourite games".

Mr Thompson is currently seeking to bring Rockstar North to court over connections between another game developed by the firm, Manhunt, and the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah last year.

And he said this was yet another instance where the game could be linked to a planned murder.

"The technique of killing civilians and then first-responders when they get there is the primary scenario to win in all the Grand Theft Auto games," he said.

"They are killing simulators actually used by gangs."

Kerns’ father has insisted his son had been framed by another teenager.

Kerns has been charged with attempting to commit a murder and two counts of promoting anarchy.