| Copyright (c) 2008 Robert Keefer | | | | having to rely upon others at a time she should |
| Young people have really taken to MySpace, | | | | be embarking upon life as an independent adult. |
| Facebook and YouTube. They love to post | | | | She also asked the Court to let Lipton feel her |
| pictures, movies and articles. So far, so good. The | | | | pain and live her life: "I want you to feel |
| problem is that much of their posted material is | | | | completely and utterly helpless...I want you to |
| there for the whole world to see, probably | | | | know how it feels to only eat when people feed |
| forever. | | | | you... to be completely dependent on others...I will |
| I saw a custody case where one parent had real | | | | live with what you did to me every day, |
| concerns about the non-custodial parent. One side | | | | everything that I do, for the rest of my life." |
| had a very important witness who posted on | | | | During sentencing Lipton cried and apologized to |
| Facebook. According to his own Facebook | | | | his victims but the prosecutor used photographs |
| account this important witness was an | | | | from Lipton's Facebook account to give the Court |
| irresponsible, somewhat lewd lawbreaker. The | | | | a different picture of Lipton's feelings. This picture |
| proponent of that witness was forced to drop | | | | was of Lipton, drinking Red Bull, sticking out his |
| him. | | | | tongue, with his arm slung around a sorority |
| I think this fellow's account was set up as a joke | | | | member, wearing a prison jumpsuit embossed |
| but he could not be used as a witness since the | | | | with the words, "Jail Bird". |
| case would have become about his Facebook | | | | While a picture may be worth a thousand words |
| account, not the problems of the custodial parent. | | | | for Lipton it was worth two years in prison. The |
| Another example of how internet posting can hurt | | | | Judge Daniel Procaccini said that the Jail Bird |
| you is the case of Joshua Lipton. Lipton was the | | | | Picture influenced his decision. The Court felt the |
| accused in an alcohol caused motor vehicle collision | | | | mocking picture gave an insight into how Lipton |
| that seriously injured a woman. | | | | really felt after almost killing Ms. Combies and |
| According to Rhode Island prosecuting attorneys, | | | | almost ruining her life. |
| Lipton had a .15 blood alcohol content as he drove | | | | Indeed, the Court called the Halloween costume |
| over 60 mph in a 40 mph zone in the rain before | | | | Lipton donned two weeks after this collision "sick, |
| striking one vehicle and then slamming head on | | | | depraved and disgusting". It was impossible for |
| into a vehicle containing Jade Combies and her | | | | Lipton to overcome the terrible impression of lack |
| sister. This three vehicle pileup left Jade Combies, | | | | of remorse that this photograph portrayed. |
| then 20 years old, hospitalized with a traumatic | | | | Apparently, Lipton's words of contrition seemed |
| brain injury, fractures to her femur, hip, and collar | | | | hollow when placed beside the picture of him |
| bone as a well as injuries to her liver and spleen. | | | | wearing the irreverent orange jumpsuit. Lipton's |
| Due to these injuries, Ms. Combies endured nine | | | | request for probation and community service in |
| operations, rehabilitation therapy, memory loss | | | | light of his post-accident substance abuse |
| and constant pain. She had to learn how to care | | | | treatment and remorse fell on deaf ears. |
| for herself again just like an infant. | | | | People using these social sites on the Internet |
| At trial, Ms. Combies spoke of her loss of | | | | need to understand that these pages are going to |
| independence and her feelings of helplessness in | | | | follow them forever. |