Computer expert: Briton searched for 'how to kill'The people he's accused of murdering were shot, not stabbed. Obviously, I have no knowledge of whether or not the guy in question committed the crimes in question, but I'd just like to say that it's freakin' scary that what you google could be used as evidence against you in a trial. Especially for gamers and conspiracy theorists, such as myself.
By DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press Writer
WOBURN, Mass. - A computer expert has testified that a laptop taken from the home of a British man accused of killing his wife and 9-month-old daughter was used to do an online search on "how to kill with a knife" four days before the slayings.
Medford police Detective Lawrence James testified Tuesday that the Google search was done on January 16, 2006.
I google things with little provocation. You'd be amazed how often I google for things with the word "dungeon" as part of the search ('cause I play Dungeons & Dragons). Let's just hope no one I know gets locked in a dungeon. (You hear me, Jake, no more S&M for you!)
Point being anyone who uses their internet connection knows how often we search for weird crap - and how it really has no bearing on your life. It'd be like using the fact someone once read the back cover of a novel as evidence against them. I know a guy who'd include "Hitler" in every websearch, just 'cause it filters out the mainstream sites and only gets him the really strange stuff (or at least he used to do so, I haven't asked him about it in years). It's not impossible a person could google "how to kill with a knife" because of having had a discussion about a poorly filmed fight scene in a movie, or something else innocuous and coincidental. Creeps me out that that could be used as "evidence" to convict you if someone else kills your family. Shades of The Fugitive, y'know?
4 comments:
"anyone who uses their internet connection knows how often we search for weird crap"
It might just be you? I only do searches for love, joy, peace, solve world hunger, the lord our father, gosh darn, end war and life as an Amish.
I think unless you plan on committing a federal crime or hanging out with people who commit federal crimes you are safe. Yeah I guess you do have to worry...
Thanks Brad. Of course, the fact that you search for "peace" and "end war" means that you're already on the FBI's watch list as a subversive and a possible terrorist.
Thank you for the reminder that I have not performed random weird searches lately. As a result of this revelation I Googled "world of warcraft peyote dumplings" and got a site I have visited before as the first hit. Google knows me.
I have an FSM decal on my car!! Bow to the great and powerful pasta! Hell I even bought the book... good stuff... I highly recommend. My favorite part is a line that goes something like "Place this book on the highest shelf possible to above upsetting midgets".
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