The Daniel Petric Case: Addicted to Halo

Written By Kiley Baumgartner

For this case, I watched an episode of Signs of a Psychopath. It’s season 2 episode 5, titled ‘I Have a Surprise For You.’

A woman calls 911, and says her parents have been shot.

Background

This case is about the Petric family, who lived in Brighton Township, Ohio. In 2010, the population of this town was 915.

Daniel Petric lived with his parents Mark, a Pentecostal minister, and Susan. According to people that knew the family, there were never any issues in the house, and Daniel didn’t have any issues, until he injured his spine. He was then introduced to the video game Halo, and would play 18 hours a day.

The 911 Call

Daniel, Mark and Susan Petric

On October 20, 2007, Daniel’s sister Heidi, called 911. She was obviously distraught, and said she came over to her parent’s to watch a baseball game. She said her parents had been shot, but her brother was there.

Daniel left the home in the family minivan, to go to his friend’s house. As the police chased him, Daniel veered off the road. He can be heard screaming, “my dad shot my mom!”

Daniel asks the police if his dad had died, and can be heard saying “Lord, please don’t let my dad die.” He’s then brought down the police station for questioning.

Daniel’s Story

Daniel told the police that he called his friend Steve, and told him what had happened. He said Steve didn’t believe him, but told him to come over. Daniel then grabbed his copy of Halo 3, and jumped into the minivan. The video game was found on the front seat.

The police asked what happened when his sister arrived. Daniel said he tried to keep her out of the house, because he didn’t want her to see her parents like that. His sister made her way into the house, started screaming, and called 911.

The police then ask Daniel if anyone else touched the gun, and Daniel said he did. He moved the gun because his father was still alive, and he didn’t want him to try to hurt himself again.

Daniel said he had been grounded, because he snuck out of the house to buy Halo when it was released at midnight. Daniel’s father Mark, didn’t approve of the game, so he locked it in his dresser, right next to his gun.

Daniel said on the night of October 20, he asked if he could go to the movies with some friends. His parents started to argue, and that’s when he heard the gunshot. His father then pointed the gun at him, before eventually turning it on himself.

Confronting a Psychopath

The police confronted Daniel. They said that he wasn’t telling the truth, and that they know what really had happened. Daniel then tells that that he needed a minute to “gather his thoughts.”

Daniel continues talking to the police, but not about what he had done to his parents. He asks about his sentencing, and about the officer’s hours and overtime.

Daniel eventually starts to open up more. He said he doesn't remember how many times he shot the gun or where his parents were when he shot them. He said he “blacked out for a minute.”

What Daniel didn’t know is that his father Mark survived. Mark told the police that Daniel shot both him and Susan. He went into a coma for two weeks.

The Conviction

On December 15, 2008, Daniel’s trial took place at the Lorain County Court.

Mark Petric took the stand, and said that on the night of October 20, Daniel told them to close their eyes, and that he had a surprise for them.

Mark believes that Daniel’s anger came from his video game being taken away. Mark told Daniel to move out if he didn’t stop playing the game. Daniel moved in with a friend for about a week, and would play Halo for about 18 hours a day.

Daniel’s defense said that Daniel became addicted to the game when he injured his spine.

The prosecution said Daniel had planned to kill his family, and that the planning had started a week before he actually acted on it.

Daniel pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing his video game addiction. However, it didn’t work. He was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, and tampering with evidence.

Daniel was sentenced to life in prison, with a chance of parole after 23 years. He’ll be eligible for parole in 2030.

Daniel in a more recent photo

Other

Daniel’s family has forgiven him.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I don’t know what to think. These addiction cases are so hard to have an opinion on. I’m more on the side of Daniel planned to kill his parents because he wanted his game back. His dad was a minister, and they had strict rules in their household.

I’m not sure how I feel about him being released on parole. He changed his story many times, after the police told him that Mark didn’t kill Susan or shoot himself. He seems to now being telling the truth, and admitting that the reason for the shootings was because they took his game. There’s also a good chance that Daniel can manipulate and lie himself out of prison.

Kiley Baumgartner
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