Journal 12, August 3, 2008

Dennis Whitfield
August 3, 2008
Journal 12

Victim Uses Facebook to finger suspect
By Larry Shaughnessy

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/28/facebook.finds.attacker/index.html

A Georgetown student uses the website Facebook to find his attacker. The attacker which is also a Georgetown student appeared in court on Friday and was charged in what the police call a hate-crime attack. Phillip Cooney is charged with a simple assault with a bias/hate crime specification according to police officials and the US attorney’s office. Prosecutors said they added the hate crime specification because the attacker was yelling homophobic epithets during the attack. The victim suffered bruises to his face and a broken thumb in the attack. After the attack the victim started looking at Facebook to see if he could identify the person who attacked him.

When the victim found a profile that resembled the person who attacked him, he notified the authorities. They then created a photo spread of possible attackers and the victim picked out Mr. Cooney as his attacker, and he then was arrested. The police investigators in this case said they never had heard of a victim using Facebook to catch a suspect before. Mr. Cooney if convicted, will face up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000.00 fine if found guilty for simple assault. If he is convicted with the hate crime specification, he chances a 270 day jail stay and a $1,500.00 fine. He also is being investigated by the university to determine if he violated the University Student Code of Conduct.

Well for years now, the social sites like Facebook and MySpace has been seen as a distraction or a waste of time. Also seen as a place where mischief occurs. But here is another example of the good that can come out of having these sites. Without this site, the victim may not have been able to identify his attacker. I can see this being used in other attacks and crimes that happen in the future. Most Americans under the age of 30 has a Facebook or Myspace account, with a picture of themselves on it. As it has been easy to find old classmates and friends, it may be just as easier to find the person that has committed a crime against you. I believe this is a good thing, and something that will revolutionize the future, as we go into a more technological age.