After contributing to the downfall of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, social media appears to have infiltrated the trial of
George Zimmerman, a former neighbourhood watch captain accused of murdering
unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin.
Waseem Saddique states: “This case is high profile in the
USA as it has sparked racial tensions all across the nation. It would now
appear that social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Instagram are
being used as platforms to discuss the case and fuelling ever increasing
tension as social media posts come under close observation and scrutiny.”
Initially, people took to social media to voice their
outrage that Trayvon’s killer remained free from arrest for four weeks despite
being identified as the killer. However, social media appears to have
‘gate-crashed’ the entire trial within and beyond the confines of the
courtroom.
Social media has established ‘eyes everywhere’ and it all
began as a result of a witness in the Zimmerman trial that gave a testimony via
Skype. That particular witness was later overwhelmed with calls from fellow
Skype users.
A lawyer for the defence also had his private affairs exposed as a
result of an image posted on Instagram by his daughter, whilst countless
members of the jury and other witnesses have had their social networking
accounts monitored in order to keep track of comments and keep tabs on the
people they’re following.
A social media analyst, who wished to remain anonymous,
said: “Social media has effectively become a worldwide surveillance system,
particularly when high profile legal cases are in process. Social media has the
power to incriminate people and leave them open to abuse and obviously that is
not the desired intention of social networking.”
The analyst added: “Privacy seems to be a thing of the
past particularly where social media is concerned as people, often unwittingly,
will expose their whole life on social media sites. The recent case of Edward Snowden revealing the US government using ‘manipulative’ measures to acquire
information through spying on social media accounts highlights the big brother
status of social media.”
In respect to the Zimmerman trial Twitter has its very
own hashtag (#Zimmermantrial), where people gather to comment on trial
proceedings. The case has become so high profile on social media it has made it
easier for Lawyers involved in the case to monitor jurors and witnesses and
look out for any signs of a slip up which may compromise evidence.
Worse still, social media has also connected perpetrator
and victim throughout this trial with members of Zimmerman’s family and
Martin’s family involved in heated exchanges across Facebook and Twitter.
In a statement from Orlando defence lawyer, David Hill,
he said: “Lawyers in routine cases typically don't have time to scour the
social media sites of potential jurors, though it has become more commonplace
in highly publicised cases. It has become more common practice to vet the
accounts of witnesses, as their posts may expose particular biases, motives or
contradictions in their testimony.”
He added: “Like it or not, when it comes to Facebook and
social media, it may not just be Big Brother watching you, but your friendly
neighbourhood criminal defence lawyer.”
Waseem Saddique concludes: “There’s no doubt that social
media has its advantages, but when it comes to legal matters should social
media be allowed to infiltrate and potentially influence the outcome of highly
sensitive legal cases? Only time will tell.”
