It is easy to decide whether you like a color or dislike a specific type of food. We as human beings like making sense of things and keeping things in order. As much as we like to establish order in our society, there is no such thing as a clear, distinguishable line between what is right and what is wrong. Also, as Americans, we have grown to love the freedom of expressing ourselves, especially when it comes to voicing our own opinion. The more wrapped our lives become in cyberspace, the more the grey area grows. Personal experiences diversify among each person, ideas and thoughts are created from exposure to certain people or events, and we all make pass judgment based on what we know. It’s easy to judge people especially when you haven’t been in their shoes. For instance, murder. No one in his or her right mind would kill senselessly. Or would they? The Bible proclaims, “Thou Shall Not Kill,” establishing the black and white understanding of murder. However, what if you accidently killed someone? Is it possible?
Matthew Cordle, a 22-year-old man from Ohio, released an almost four minute long video on YouTube confessing of accidentally murdering a man while driving drunk. His face was blurred out and voice was altered until the moment he confessed, then there was a “crystal clear image of his face.” The video went viral within hours. The video consisted of his retelling of the night when he had too much to drink and drove down the wrong way on the interstate, accidentally hitting and killing a 61-year-old veteran. As a result of the video, authorities were alerted and they immediately apprehended Cordle and arrested him. Now, he is appearing in court, and faces “a maximum sentence of 8 1/2 years in prison for open count of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs” (Rosenbaum, NBC news). All of this was because he posted a confession on YouTube.
It makes complete sense to arrest Cordle based on his confession. However, does it seem legal to arrest someone based on a confession that was posted online? YouTube is one of the biggest communities where people share videos of various things. A personal opinion, or in this case, a confession may be one way of expressing yourself, but posting it online for all to see, when does that no longer become a personal expression of self? Is using YouTube and other social media outlets as a way to express yourself? If yes, then is it just for authorities to use these postings as evidence against any crime you might have committed?
No comments:
Post a Comment