Real World Assassination

[David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.UMD.EDU>]

Poster: David KUIJT <kuijt@umiacs.UMD.EDU>



Alfredo wrote:
> 
> I had the distinct impression that the original poster genuinely _thought_
> that a properly run assassination game would be a Good Thing for an SCA
> event in Atlantia.  Why isn't it appropriate to post on this list what
> you _think_ is a Good Thing for SCA events in Atlantia?

It is perfectly appropriate to post what you _think_ is a good thing.
And it is perfectly appropriate for others, with different opinions,
to post that they think your idea is not, in fact, such a good idea.
Which is the bulk of what happened in this case, ignoring the most
extreme posts (which is a good statistical technique, and I think
applicable to net responses).

 
> If it's only appropriate to post what really _are_ Good Things, then
> my question remains: Where is there a forum for me to find out if
> what I _think_ is a Good Thing really _is_?

Sorry, the recent rule is that you must know in advance what is good
before you post anything.  That way we won't have to waste our time
with dissension and discussion, and we can get on with the substantive
issues like ... like ... (hmmm, can't think of any at the moment).
For those who have not been inculcated with this knowledge in advance
(as I am), or born with amazing precognitive gifts (as I train my
squires and students), you may ask me, and I will be sure to tell you.
I provide this service free of charge.


> I was unaware that there had been actual murders of any sort in the
> SCA, let alone assassinations for hire.  When did this occur?

Getting completely serious, it happened about a decade ago, or 
maybe as much as 15 years (I haven't got the book in front of me).  Paul
Serio, known in the SCA as Duke Aonghais, was recently tried and
convicted for murder-for-hire, and is doing 25-to-life or thereabouts
in Florida.  Details are in a book called "The Wrong Man", about
the person who was convicted for this crime a decade ago, and who
was just released and conviction overturned as part of the investigation
that convicted Paul Serio.

Don't ask me for more details, get the book.  It isn't very well written
(hack writer), and it doesn't touch on Paul Serio until about 2/3 of
the way through--the focus of the book is on the innocent man in jail.

To my knowledge, Paul Serio never lived in this Kingdom (he was King
of the East twice).  Many of the older residents of Atlantia will have
met him once or more, however.

I'm sure other murders have occurred -- I think I've heard of at least
two more, but I don't know sufficient details to discuss them in this
forum.

It would be silly to assume that any organization with 25,000 members
and a history of 30 years would not have a full range of crimes.  We
are, bye-and-large, more courteous.  But we ain't perfect, and we are
a home for many people who are less socialized and more isolated than
the population at large (I know, I was one of them).

I do not consider this event (Serio's crime) as sufficient to dismiss
the idea of assassination games at events.  However, the crime did not
directly impact me, and I understand that others might find it in
extremely bad taste.  For me, there are other reasons to find assassination
games in bad taste.  They don't have anything to do with the real middle
ages.  If modified so as to have something to do with the middle ages,
I would not find them distasteful.

Regards,
Dafydd
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