Savino Introduces ‘Caroline’s Law’ To Penalize Those Who Share Photos Of Crime Victims

Senator Diane Savino re-introduced “Caroline’s Law” last week, creating a class A misdemeanor for public servants who distribute photographs of crime victims outside of their official duties.

“Publishing trophy photos of a crime victim on Facebook is one of the cruelest things a person could do. Caroline Wimmer’s family suffered twice because of the actions of an EMT. Once when the 26-year-old was brutally murdered and again when they learned pictures of this vicious crime were heartlessly plastered on Facebook for entertainment by a public servant. This behavior is criminal,” said Savino.

Caroline Wimmer, 26, was murdered in March 2009 in her West Brighton, Staten Island apartment. Her mother discovered her body on the bathroom floor and called for help. An EMT on the scene, Mark Musarella, snapped a photo of her body and posted it on his Facebook page. Musarella was charged with official misconduct and that charge was reduced to disorderly conduct. He served 200 hours of community service and received no jail time.

“Caroline’s Law” would create a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine for any public servant or person acting as a public servant who broadcasts or publishes an image of a crime victim outside of their official duties.

It was introduced and passed in the Senate in previous years, but has not been taken up by the Assembly.