Video game triggered attack that killed Gary 2-year-old
March 3, 2002
By Lori Caldwell
Post-Tribune staff report
GARY — Frustrated because he couldn’t win a video game, Michael Willis turned his anger on 2-year-old Kenneth Coleman, punching the child in the chest and stomach, an assault that cost the boy his life, Detective Cpl. Lanita Titus said Saturday.
Willis, 33, was charged with murder in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point on Saturday, two days after he and Kenneth’s mother, Phebe Wesley, 21, were arrested.
Wesley has been charged with neglect of a dependent and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Willis can be sentenced to a maximum of 65 years in prison for his alleged crime.
Titus said Willis admitted striking the child at the family’s home Tuesday when he became angry after failing to win a video game a couple of times, the probable cause affidavit states. Kenneth fell off the bed and landed on the game controller and books on the floor, Willis told Titus.
When Wesley saw what happened, she asked Willis why he struck her child, the court record states.
Wesley told Titus her boyfriend said, “It was nothing,” and she “didn’t think any more about it because Michael played rough with his own son,” Titus said.
The court record says Wesley gave the child a bottle at Willis’ directions.
On Wednesday morning, they took Kenneth to the emergency room, where hospital officials said he was dead on arrival.
Medical personnel contacted police because of the extensive nature of the child’s injuries. After an autopsy was completed Thursday afternoon, Titus brought Wesley, who is pregnant with Willis’ child, to the police station for questioning.
Willis arrived later, and Detective Sgt. Thomas Branson placed him under arrest. Wesley was placed under arrest Thursday night as police continued their investigation.
Kenneth had been released from The Methodist Hospital in Merrillville a few days before his death. He had been ill with a respiratory ailment, investigators said.
A Child Protective Services caseworker initially told investigators he was familiar with the child’s condition and the bruises could be related to his medical problems.
Wesley’s 3-year-old son was placed in foster care Thursday.
source
March 3, 2002
By Lori Caldwell
Post-Tribune staff report
GARY — Frustrated because he couldn’t win a video game, Michael Willis turned his anger on 2-year-old Kenneth Coleman, punching the child in the chest and stomach, an assault that cost the boy his life, Detective Cpl. Lanita Titus said Saturday.
Willis, 33, was charged with murder in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point on Saturday, two days after he and Kenneth’s mother, Phebe Wesley, 21, were arrested.
Wesley has been charged with neglect of a dependent and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Willis can be sentenced to a maximum of 65 years in prison for his alleged crime.
Titus said Willis admitted striking the child at the family’s home Tuesday when he became angry after failing to win a video game a couple of times, the probable cause affidavit states. Kenneth fell off the bed and landed on the game controller and books on the floor, Willis told Titus.
When Wesley saw what happened, she asked Willis why he struck her child, the court record states.
Wesley told Titus her boyfriend said, “It was nothing,” and she “didn’t think any more about it because Michael played rough with his own son,” Titus said.
The court record says Wesley gave the child a bottle at Willis’ directions.
On Wednesday morning, they took Kenneth to the emergency room, where hospital officials said he was dead on arrival.
Medical personnel contacted police because of the extensive nature of the child’s injuries. After an autopsy was completed Thursday afternoon, Titus brought Wesley, who is pregnant with Willis’ child, to the police station for questioning.
Willis arrived later, and Detective Sgt. Thomas Branson placed him under arrest. Wesley was placed under arrest Thursday night as police continued their investigation.
Kenneth had been released from The Methodist Hospital in Merrillville a few days before his death. He had been ill with a respiratory ailment, investigators said.
A Child Protective Services caseworker initially told investigators he was familiar with the child’s condition and the bruises could be related to his medical problems.
Wesley’s 3-year-old son was placed in foster care Thursday.
source
thats going to piss off a bunch of people and they will blame it on violent games again, when it was the kids fault that he cant control his anger over a simple game. 
