Officials in Pokemon weapons case clarify ‘Columbine’ reference
An attorney for one of the two Iowa men who were arrested for making online threats to the World Pokemon Championships pushed back against “incorrect’’ reports that the defendants had referenced Columbine and the Boston Massacre in online postings.
During a courtroom arraignment on Monday, prosecutors said Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27, had made threats online to attendees of the Pokemon tournament and had brought weapons and ammo to the Boston event.
Several news outlets, including Boston.com, initially reported that prosecutors had said Stumbo and Norton made references to Columbine and the Boston Massacre in their online posts.
“The social media posts that alarmed individuals that started this whole thing off referenced – there were references to Columbine, another Boston massacre, as well Mr. Stumbo indicating ‘My AR-15 says you lose,’’’ prosecutors said in court.
Officials later clarified that those references were made by others in a Facebook conversation with Norton and Stumbo.
Steven Goldwyn, the attorney for Stumbo, said that statement “stood out’’ in court.
“I think the prosecution said that the defendant or defendants brought that up, and they’re the ones that used those words, and they weren’t,’’ Goldwyn said. “I don’t think either defendant ever brought up Columbine or the Boston Massacre. It was another party that brought it up … It’s incorrect and it’s important.’’
Norton and Stumbo were arrested on weapons charges and ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing after guns, ammo, and a hunting knife were found in a car they drove to the event, police said.
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