Don't use Google for murder

DisneyDaniel · 12-08-2005, 01:14 AM

From Information Week

Nov. 30, 2005
Ex-Computer Consultant Convicted In 'Google Murder' Trial

The guilty verdict of first-degree murder was won in part on evidence based on Google searches found on Robert Petrick's computer.

By K.C. Jones
TechWeb.com

In a murder trial featuring evidence of Google searches, jurors late Tuesday found former computer consultant Robert Petrick guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of his wife. He will serve a life sentence without possibility of parole. Prosecutors hadn't sought the death penalty.

Petrick, who represented himself during the North Carolina trial, is expected to appeal and has requested a court appointed lawyer. Jurors rejected Petrick's attempts to convince them that Google searches for the words "neck," "snap," "break," and "hold," uncovered on his hard drive, were done by another user.

Petrick also failed to persuade jurors that all the evidence against him was circumstantial and that prosecutors hadn't proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed Janine Sutphen and dumped her body in a Raleigh-area lake.

Prosecutors had seized several computers from Petrick's home after Sutphen, a concert cellist, disappeared in January 2003. They used evidence collected from the hard drives to make their case. Internet histories showed that showing someone used Google to search the terms neck, snap break and hold and reviewed a document entitled "22 Ways to Kill a Man With Your Bare Hands." They also said that someone had researched body decomposition and the topography of the lake where Sutphen's body was found.

Petrick, who's already in prison on fraud charges, pointed out that the searches weren't linked to a user name and therefore couldn't be pinned on him. He said his wife could have looked up some of the material because she had studied martial arts. He said someone who liked to fish or sail could have looked up the lake information. Investigators said they couldn't find other fishing or sailing-related searches.

Several witnesses testified that Petrick had a history of affairs, financial problems and deceit, which prosecutors said could have motivated Petrick to kill.

CoasterMatt · 12-08-2005, 09:19 PM

Don't use Google for "Sphincter Boy", either

Capt Jack · 12-08-2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

Don't use Google for "Sphincter Boy", either

oh I think after a few years in prison, he'll be an authority on the subject

Kevy Baby · 12-08-2005, 10:16 PM

Google M for Murder

Ex-hacker Tony Wendice decides to murder his wife for her passwords and because she had insisted on using Java the year before. He blackmails an old use-net buddy to kluge her, but when kernels go wrong he sees a way to increase his bandwidth.

Name · 12-09-2005, 07:44 AM

huge fool, and not much of a computer guru either....

One, only fools represent themselves....

and second.... if he was quite the consultant, wouldn' the know to clear his caches and other area's of his browsing experience? especially if there is that kind of evidence on the computer against you...... I know people that clear those kinds of things out of principle alone....

Capt Jack · 12-09-2005, 09:04 AM

it actually takes more than just clearing cache, but....yeah...he shoulda known.

Name · 12-09-2005, 05:23 PM

maybe I should start a consulting business......

Doesn't seem to take much from the consultants I have seen.....

Kevy Baby · 12-09-2005, 08:03 PM

Isn't "consultant" just another word for "unemployed?"

12-08-2005, 01:14 AM	#1
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Don't use Google for murder From Information Week Nov. 30, 2005 Ex-Computer Consultant Convicted In 'Google Murder' Trial The guilty verdict of first-degree murder was won in part on evidence based on Google searches found on Robert Petrick's computer. By K.C. Jones TechWeb.com In a murder trial featuring evidence of Google searches, jurors late Tuesday found former computer consultant Robert Petrick guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of his wife. He will serve a life sentence without possibility of parole. Prosecutors hadn't sought the death penalty. Petrick, who represented himself during the North Carolina trial, is expected to appeal and has requested a court appointed lawyer. Jurors rejected Petrick's attempts to convince them that Google searches for the words "neck," "snap," "break," and "hold," uncovered on his hard drive, were done by another user. Petrick also failed to persuade jurors that all the evidence against him was circumstantial and that prosecutors hadn't proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed Janine Sutphen and dumped her body in a Raleigh-area lake. Prosecutors had seized several computers from Petrick's home after Sutphen, a concert cellist, disappeared in January 2003. They used evidence collected from the hard drives to make their case. Internet histories showed that showing someone used Google to search the terms neck, snap break and hold and reviewed a document entitled "22 Ways to Kill a Man With Your Bare Hands." They also said that someone had researched body decomposition and the topography of the lake where Sutphen's body was found. Petrick, who's already in prison on fraud charges, pointed out that the searches weren't linked to a user name and therefore couldn't be pinned on him. He said his wife could have looked up some of the material because she had studied martial arts. He said someone who liked to fish or sail could have looked up the lake information. Investigators said they couldn't find other fishing or sailing-related searches. Several witnesses testified that Petrick had a history of affairs, financial problems and deceit, which prosecutors said could have motivated Petrick to kill. __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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12-08-2005, 09:19 PM	#2
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Don't use Google for "Sphincter Boy", either __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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12-08-2005, 10:16 PM	#4
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Google M for Murder Ex-hacker Tony Wendice decides to murder his wife for her passwords and because she had insisted on using Java the year before. He blackmails an old use-net buddy to kluge her, but when kernels go wrong he sees a way to increase his bandwidth. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-09-2005, 07:44 AM	#5
Name Title Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: here Posts: 779	huge fool, and not much of a computer guru either.... One, only fools represent themselves.... and second.... if he was quite the consultant, wouldn' the know to clear his caches and other area's of his browsing experience? especially if there is that kind of evidence on the computer against you...... I know people that clear those kinds of things out of principle alone.... __________________ Signature
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12-09-2005, 09:04 AM	#6
Capt Jack check your head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,174	it actually takes more than just clearing cache, but....yeah...he shoulda known. __________________ a clear conscience is a sure sign of a fuzzy memory
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12-09-2005, 05:23 PM	#7
Name Title Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: here Posts: 779	maybe I should start a consulting business...... Doesn't seem to take much from the consultants I have seen..... __________________ Signature
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12-09-2005, 08:03 PM	#8
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Isn't "consultant" just another word for "unemployed?" __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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