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Serial Killer: Metallica & Linkin Park Influenced Me To Kill

posted Mar 3, 2005 at 1:08 PM by deathbringer.  (43 Comments)

Photo of Metallica

Band Photo: Metallica (?)

In another highly publicized case of attributing heavy metal as a cause or anti-social behavior, serial killer Richard Paul White (photo), one of Colorado's most notorious killers, recently spoke from jail about his crimes. He has confessed to six murders in the Denver area. A lifetime of untreated mental illness, heavy metal music and violent movies drove him to kill, he said, in an exclusive interview with CBS4 Denver News reporter Rick Sallinger.

Music was a big influence in his life, White said. His spree of killing was accompanied by a soundtrack of heavy metal.

"METALLICA probably the most," he said.

A set of lyrics stand out: "Guilty as charged, but damn it, it ain't right, there's someone else controlling me." (from METALLICA's "Ride the Lightning" off the album of the same name.)

Music by LINKIN PARK would also play in the background.

"I would listen, actually, to LINKIN PARK before I would kill," White said. "And, while I was killing usually that music LINKIN PARK was on."

A childhood of abuse, coupled with untreated mental illness, set the stage. A society filled with violence did little to hold back White.

"Today's culture, here in America, everything is based on violence," he said.

White talked about movies he would watch that influenced him to kill. There was one in particular, "The Boondock Saints", about two Irish youth who set about to rid Boston of gangsters.

"There's just a lot of killing," White said. "And it makes it seem right and makes it almost OK to go out and kill."

Add to the mix violent video games, such as Doom, that White played.

"I think they influenced me towards killing," he said. "It desensitized me to the killing, because when I pulled the trigger on the TV screen, something would just go away."

Watch the complete 48-minute interview with White, conducted by CBS4 Denver News reporter Rick Sallinger, at this location.

My advice is to take it with a grain of salt. What is the real value of these statements by someone self-admittedly with "a lifetime of untreated mental illness"? The only reason the statements are more attention-grabbing than if he was directed by voices in his head is that they provide a real-world scapegoat for his actions.

Source: Blabbermouth

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43 Comments on "Serial Killer Influenced By Metallica, Linkin Park"

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Anonymous Reader
1. mrnoodle writes:

if i were him i would blame country music

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 1:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
2. moody1876 writes:

I think many people have the urge to kill after listening to LINKIN PARK...but usually the urge is to kill the members of the band. I guess this was just a case of misplaced aggression.

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 2:07 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
metalthekid's avatar

Member

3. metalthekid writes:

i think this is just one f***ed up guy. music should not inspire you to kill. and especially linkin park, they arent dark or mean, they are just a band with nothing too special about them. this guy is just a douche

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 2:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Big_Dan's avatar

Member

4. Big_Dan writes:

you have to be metally ill to listen to linkin' park and metallcia

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 3:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
5. but.......... writes:

I listen to robbie williams and it makes we want to kill.......Robbie williams

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 3:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
6. Stinkin Park writes:

If this guy listens to Linkin Park he should kill himself!

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 4:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. brokenwings13 writes:

Here's another who blames it on the music!! Shut up and take responsibility for your actions. DORKFACE!

# Mar 3, 2005 @ 4:46 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. SHADOW SOLDIER writes:

He's f***ed up I listen To Metallica and Linkin Park but they are a positive release thats what music is if its not for you then maybe you shouldnt listen too it.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 12:18 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
9. RememberMetal? writes:

Lets look at this like the crocodile hunter might....it sort of puts things into perspective.......

In terms of rage, LinkinPark are like a p***ed off rat with it's tail caught in a trap....it may draw a little blood, but when it's all said and done u can stomp the rat until it is bones in a red-ish puddle....

Metallica...more of an aging lion....

best not to handle this one with just your combat boots...he still has a tooth or two up there but the hunting skill and fury are nowhere near his youthful spirit....kinda sluggish, his roar cant be mistaken though (( St. anger sound my neck! )) followed by a black album to now

JAMES: YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH!......it's the roar of a sober lion everyone....((weeps))

generally a shot gun is used when dispatching an animal thats too sick to survive....

(no i am not condoning murder of anything or anyone, this is called a joke)

anyway...i bet this guy would have killed alot more people much more violently if someone had clued him in on Napalm Death, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Strapping Young Lad, and Converge...hell we might not be alive to post here....

Next week I compare Otep to a mother pig protecting herself from an axe wielding farmer and Motley Crue to the dumbest animal on earth for it's size...an ostrich...which should have kept it's head in the sand for a few more fucckking years....

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 12:35 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
mwitherow's avatar

Member

10. mwitherow writes:

god,that guy just cant take respondsibility for his own actions. f*** him, im glad hes in prison but music.movies etc doesent "Drive" a person to do anything. if a person would do something like kkill because of a f***ing song theres obviously something alreaady wrong with him.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 1:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
11. DerailTheTrain writes:

hehe, remembermetal? is my favorite person to post here, and mwitherow is sound as a pound too...this is one of those forums where everyone pretty much agrees....

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 2:32 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
12. stillXstraight writes:

So the guy blames music, movies AND video games. The only thing he left off the list was his mother.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 8:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
13. liquid_pryo9 writes:

this guy is so f***ing stupid. i listen to way heavier music than linkin park and metallica (even though both are good bands) and i have never had the urge to kill anybody.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 9:50 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. Guess who again!?! writes:

But to listen to both those shiitty bands he should of killed himself and
leaved society alone! Actually he should have killed some stinkin fart fans
in the process..eheh.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 3:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
15. metelthekid writes:

how dare you say that metallica is a shi tty band. without them, there wouldnt be half the bands out there right now

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 3:44 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
16. slaughter of the soul writes:

Metallica has become a very sh**ty band. There were metal bands out there before them and there would have been bands out there after them. The fact that he is blaming crap like metallica and linkin park is good. at least he's not blaming Deat Metal/Black Metal...the media would really love that.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 4:05 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
17. Nameless Schmoe. writes:

metelthekid is right. we wouldn't have all these bands that are around today without Metallica.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 4:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
mwitherow's avatar

Member

18. mwitherow writes:

OLD metallica doesent bother me, its great. "St.Anger" is one of the worst metal albums of all time,just coming from them. but how the f*** could linkin park get anyone to do anything except for buy a f***ing jay z album?

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 5:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Rue's avatar

Member

19. Rue writes:

How about...we wouldn't have half these bands around today if it weren't for Judas Priest and Black Sabbath? They both came before 'Tallica. This man obviously had a big mental problem? How could Linkin Park give anybody the urge to KILL? It's whiny emo disguised as nu-metal. It's just not violent stuff. Many people need to seperate the real causes that make people kill and the things that people blame.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 9:23 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Metal_Militia's avatar

Member

20. Metal_Militia writes:

just another sawd-off prick of a cereal killer trying to blame his killings on the media what a f***ing d***. Wow video games, music, movies, Linkin Park... Pretty soon cereal killers will be saying that toasters influenced them to kill. He's a just a little terd in the toilet of america, waiting to get flushed down. Kids in the olden days used to shoot buffalo with shotguns and pistols while they rode on the railway, and yet they didn't go on killing spree's. This guy's just a little f u c k.

# Mar 4, 2005 @ 9:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
21. nckdvd writes:

metallica is the sh**.

# Mar 7, 2005 @ 9:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
22. metal is the answer writes:

this is the stupidest most f***ed up thing ive ever seen. blame soceity for everything

# Mar 7, 2005 @ 9:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
23. Lee5316 writes:

Well this is just plan a$$ stupid. Linkin park drove him to kIll get real. These guys aren't even metal. And metallica, when was the last time you heard them singing about killing someone? You know what would have been funny, if he did it while listening to st anger.

# Mar 7, 2005 @ 9:59 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
24. BLACK DOG writes:

The average serial killer does not show remorse for thier action's until they are about to be punished.He's looking for a scape goat and he's chosen the most lame duck excuse since the DEVIL MADE ME DO IT.A recent study show's that most serial killer's are loser's in their own oppinion's and set out to make them selves somebody by taking random lives.In any event it makes for some truly fascinating reading.Those of you that are interested I would suggest COURT TV'S CRIME LIBRARY.It's on the web.

# Mar 7, 2005 @ 11:14 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
25. brad writes:

^5

# Mar 7, 2005 @ 11:18 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
26. cheersvb writes:

i keep thinking of slayer's dittohead...

# Mar 8, 2005 @ 12:43 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
27. Dopetastic writes:

for people that love music... you sure don't have an appreciation for other types... even if you don't like Linkin Park and Metallica, at least realize that some people think they're awesome, and respect them for their accomplishments... they sure got a hell of a lot farther than anyone who posted up here....

# Mar 8, 2005 @ 9:21 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
28. Jereth127 writes:

Dopetastic-Well said...
I listen mainly to metal with a few acoustics thrown in...
But I do acknowledge and respect other styles of music, bands and artists certanly didn't get where the are today by being really sh**.

# Mar 12, 2005 @ 8:27 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
29. hahahah writes:

Any idiot who blames music for killing is just trying to pass the blame off and not take responsibility for their actions. I cannot believe that people can sit in a courtroom and listen to some murderer saying "yeah, it was the music that ultimately lead me to kill so-and-so". That is complete and utter BS. If you killed somebody... YOU killed them, not the music you listen to. Spare the rest of the world and shut up and serve your time.

# Mar 17, 2005 @ 4:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
30. Yo MAMA writes:

Yo I think that anyone who blames music for being an influence to killing is just so F****** stupid and just didn't have anything else to blame it on so that"s why that stupid retard blames it on music. What makes u a killer is what u think and how serios u take the words in the song. So u better stop blaming it on music and relize what you did wasn't influence it was will.......U F****** retard!

# Mar 18, 2005 @ 10:48 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
31. Yo MAMA writes:

I'm supporting everyone here exept all the HATERS!
So if ya'll not going to say something about the killer than SHUT UP!
QUIT HATING ON THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Mar 18, 2005 @ 11:06 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Ed's avatar

Member

32. Ed writes:

Crazy lunatic, how dare he insult the holy name of METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Mar 19, 2005 @ 2:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Ed's avatar

Member

33. Ed writes:

Anyone who dares insult METAL shall burn, especially METALLICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I miss Cliff.

# Mar 19, 2005 @ 2:37 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Ed's avatar

Member

34. Ed writes:

f*** all who insult METAL, your music sux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Mar 19, 2005 @ 2:38 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
35. Dave writes:

Imagine if this guy heard something good...like hunting humans or chunks in the shower by Deeds of Flesh....
he might have gotten away with it if he didn't have such f***ing horrible taste.
What a f***bag
Pop music would make me want to kill too.
Thats why the radio stays off.

# Mar 19, 2005 @ 3:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BLACKDOG's avatar

Supporter

36. BLACKDOG writes:

The band's he chose to use as an excuse.He'd of been better off claiming the obscure RAP group called LIVE EVIL.They sucked frozen horse sh** so they lost their contract after their 1st record.The sad part is their uncle was CEO of the label.

# Mar 19, 2005 @ 4:22 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
37. what a fucking cunt writes:

p***y

# Mar 20, 2005 @ 12:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
38. beans666@hotmail.com writes:

I think if I did't listen to LINKIN PARK or METTALLIC alot of pepole would be killd

# Mar 29, 2005 @ 1:50 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
longjohn99's avatar

Member

39. longjohn99 writes:

what a crock of sh**

# Mar 29, 2005 @ 2:13 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
40. relentless austin writes:

This sh** again?!! God Damn!

# Mar 29, 2005 @ 2:48 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
41. Jaymz writes:

All Within My Hands: KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL

# Mar 31, 2005 @ 5:14 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
42. Metal_Militian writes:

Metallica has got to be the best F*CKING band out there. i love all of their albums even St. Anger. The reason some people dont like it is because it doesnt sound the same. would you rather have had it be like the same thing over and over? Morons, Metallica rules all.

# Mar 31, 2005 @ 11:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
43. FiSH writes:

I can't believe that people could still think that music causes retards like this fa**ot to do dumb sh**. I'll tell you what, I listen to metal and I'm not out to kill...but I sure would kick this motherf***ers a$$ if I got the chance.

# Mar 31, 2005 @ 11:31 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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