Good ol’ Facebook. Besides its use for networking and keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, many have used the social networking site over the past years to vent about their relationships, share their problems in life or post photos about their picture perfect life. Despite its ups and downs, it may seem like common sense for Facebook users to know when to draw the line about what they post. Or is it?
Derek Medina, a 31-year-old South Miami man, posted a picture on Thursday morning of his dead wife’s body. He posted the picture confessing that he shot his wife to death and later turned himself to authorities. The picture was posted with the caption:
“I’m going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys take care Facebook people you will see me in the news. my wife was punching me and I am not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did I hope you understand me.”
Medina said that his wife, 26-year-old Jennifer Alfonso, consistently abused him over the years of their marriage, repeatedly punching him and on that day he snapped and couldn’t take it anymore. Their 10-year-old daughter was at the house at the time of the shooting but was unharmed. According to the police affidavit, Media pointed gun at Alfonso in their bedroom during a heated argument. She left the room and returned, announcing she was leaving him. He followed her downstairs to the kitchen where she began punching him multiple times. He pointed the gun at her again and this time she pulled out a knife. Medina was able to wrestle it out of her hands and when he did, she punched him some more. It was at this point that Medina shot Alfonso several times, the affidavit says.
After the killing, Medina posted the picture of his dead wife’s bloody body, which was wearing a black leotard and slumped on the floor. The post was titled “RIP Jennifer Alfonso.” Medina did not call 911, but rather changed his clothes and went to visit some family members. He then went to the police station where he began confessing the murder he committed. The gruesome photo went viral and after about five hours, Facebook employees were notified and removed the photo and disabled Medina’s account, along with Alfonso’s.
