Judge delays trial of Kansas gamer charged in deadly hoax

A federal judge has delayed the trial of a Kansas online gamer whose dispute allegedly sparked the hoax that resulted in police shooting and killing a man who lived at his former Wichita home.

The attorney for 20-year-old Shane Gaskill of Wichita asked for more time to talk with prosecutors, and on Monday the judge postponed the trial to April 23rd.  Gaskill is charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and making false statement during an investigation.

Prosecutors say Gaskill was playing a Call of Duty WWII video game with Casey Viner of North College Hill, Ohio, when they argued over a $1.50 bet.  Prosecutors contend Viner then asked Tyler Barriss of Los Angeles to “swat” Gaskill.

Swatting is sometimes used by gamers to send first responders to an opponent’s address.