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Facebook Case Demonstrates How Not To Behave During Sentencing
July 22, 2008 02:20 PM
by
Josh Katz
Facebook photos led to a stiff sentence for a young drunk driver, illustrating the importance that image can have in the Internet age when all is laid bare.
30-Second Summary
College junior Joshua Lipton, 20, posed as a “jail bird” at a Halloween party just two weeks after a car accident in which he caused a woman serious injury while driving drunk. The prosecution used pictures of the party on Facebook to demonstrate Lipton’s lack of remorse, and the judge concurred, sentencing him to two years in prison.
Commenting on the case, Andy Beal of the Marketing Pilgrim blog described the Internet age in general: “The internet does not come with a ‘click here for explanation’ button. What you see, is what you get—especially when it comes to your reputation.”
A similar case came up earlier this month in the form of an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man who bragged of his speeding and drug an alcohol use on MySpace even after being charged with a DUI-related homicide.
The Lipton case also bears resemblance to the Robert Chambers episode 20 years ago. Chambers, a privileged 19-year-old from New York, stood trial for sexually abusing and murdering Jennifer Levin, 18, in what would be known as the “Preppy Killer” case.
In April 1988 he was sentenced to 5–15 years in prison. One month later, “A Current Affair” broadcast a home video of Chambers at a party shortly before his trial, showing him joking and twisting a doll’s head while saying to the camera, “Oops, I think I killed her.”
Although Chambers was already sentenced when the video emerged, it served to cement public opinion against him and may have contributed to his being denied parole. He was arrested on unrelated charges several times following his release.
Commenting on the case, Andy Beal of the Marketing Pilgrim blog described the Internet age in general: “The internet does not come with a ‘click here for explanation’ button. What you see, is what you get—especially when it comes to your reputation.”
A similar case came up earlier this month in the form of an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man who bragged of his speeding and drug an alcohol use on MySpace even after being charged with a DUI-related homicide.
The Lipton case also bears resemblance to the Robert Chambers episode 20 years ago. Chambers, a privileged 19-year-old from New York, stood trial for sexually abusing and murdering Jennifer Levin, 18, in what would be known as the “Preppy Killer” case.
In April 1988 he was sentenced to 5–15 years in prison. One month later, “A Current Affair” broadcast a home video of Chambers at a party shortly before his trial, showing him joking and twisting a doll’s head while saying to the camera, “Oops, I think I killed her.”
Although Chambers was already sentenced when the video emerged, it served to cement public opinion against him and may have contributed to his being denied parole. He was arrested on unrelated charges several times following his release.
Headline Link: ‘Unrepentant on Facebook? Expect jail time’
The judge said the Facebook photos of Lipton played a part in her decision. “Social networking sites are just another way that people say things or do things that come back and haunt them,” said Phil Malone, director of the cyberlaw clinic at Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. “The things that people say online or leave online are pretty permanent.”
Source: CNN (AP)
Opinion & Analysis: Privacy and image in the Internet age
Andy Beal in the Marketing Pilgrim blog writes, “In life we say that ‘perception is reality.’ The same is true with the internet, but perhaps can be modified to ‘perception is reputation.’”
Source: Marketing Pilgrim
Lim Sheng Ming of Brunei comments on privacy in the Internet age and the case of Joshua Lipton. “I’m beginning to feel that we’re relinquishing control over our personal information to the people around us; our family, friends, and yes, even complete strangers."
Source: CNET
Related Topics: Robert Chambers; Joseph Genovese
MySpace profile reveals reckless driving exploits
On July 17, 2008, the Philadelphia Daily News reported on the MySpace page of Joseph Genovese Jr., who was charged with homicide “while driving under the influence for allegedly killing one pedestrian tourist and injuring another last week.” Genovese’s MySpace page bragged about his “exploits with pot, alcohol, graffiti and fast cars.” It even had a photo of his speedometer reaching 105 mph.
Source: Philadelphia Daily News
The Robert Chambers case
“A Current Affair” with Maury Povich described the Robert Chambers case and provided the home videotape showing Chambers joking about the case right before he was to go to trial. “It just might be the most controversial home movie ever made,” Povich said in the episode, which can be viewed on World of Wonder.
Source: World of Wonder
The New York Times provides a timeline of the Robert Chambers case, from the discovery of Jennifer Levin’s body in 1986 to his arrest again in 2007 for selling drugs.
Source: The New York Times (free registration may be required)
Reference: Internet privacy guide
The findingDulcinea Web Guide to Internet Marketing and Privacy highlights the best Web resources for learning about off-line and online consumer targeting practices, and offers advice on how you may be able to control the data that is gathered about you.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2010 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
