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Filing: North College Hill gamer in deadly hoax case to change plea

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Posted at 1:44 PM, Mar 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-04 13:44:11-05

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An Ohio man whose online video game dispute allegedly led to a deadly hoax call has told a federal court in Kansas that he plans to change his plea.

A court notice posted on Monday sets an April 3 change-of-plea hearing for 19-year-old Casey Viner of North College Hill, Ohio. He is charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, wire fraud and other counts.

Prosecutors allege Viner became upset while playing the Call of Duty WWII video game and asked 26-year-old Tyler Barriss of Los Angeles to "swat" 20-year-old Shane Gaskill in Wichita. Police shot the Kansas man who lived at the old address.

The case drew attention to the practice of making a false report to get emergency responders to descend on an address.

Barriss will be sentenced March 29.