Man sentenced to 40 years to life for killing mother after argument over video game volume

A man from New Hampshire, Thomas Humphrey, aged 47, has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing his mother, Linda Tufts, 70, following an argument about the volume of the video games he was playing. The incident occurred in their Goffstown home in November.

Humphrey pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and arson and was sentenced on Tuesday by Judge William Delker. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that a lengthy prison sentence was necessary due to the brutality of the act.

According to a prosecutor, Humphrey, who resided in the basement, stabbed Tufts multiple times and then set her body on fire. The argument reportedly stemmed from the noise level of the video games he was playing on a PlayStation she had gifted him for his birthday.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Humphrey at the bottom of the basement stairs with self-inflicted wounds, holding a knife. Humphrey had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

An email was sent to Humphrey’s lawyer by The Associated Press seeking comment on his behalf.