New York EMT pleads guilty of posting murder scene photo on Facebook

[News_Editor]

New York EMT pleads guilty of posting murder scene photo on Facebook

2010-12-11 03:46:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) -- New York prosecutors on Friday announced that an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) has pled guilty to charges of official misconduct in relation to the posting of a murder scene photo on his Facebook page.

Mark Musarella, 47, pled guilty to allegations that he posted a photo on the social networking website Facebook which he had taken while on-duty at a March 30, 2009 murder scene in New York City, where 26-year-old Caroline Wimmer was murdered by strangulation.

Musarella had been charged with one count of Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, and Disorderly Conduct, a violation. The guilty please was entered in Staten Island Criminal Court before Judge Charles Troia who will sentence the defendant on March 12.

"Mark Musarella's cold and indifferent act caused an immeasurable pain to the already grieving family and friends of Caroline Wimmer," said Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan. "No sentence imposed by the court can alleviate that pain, but by this plea the defendant has surrendered his ability to work as an EMT in New York State, and that is a penalty that neither the Department of Health nor the Court would have been able to impose even if he was convicted at trial."

Under the terms of Musarella's plea, to the top count against him, he is to complete 200 hours of community service and execute a stipulation with the Department of Health wherein he surrenders any rights to his EMT license, agrees never to reapply for his EMT license, and to waive any administrative remedies to appeal any decision denying his license for reapplication. If Musarella completes the community service and agrees to the stipulation, he will be allowed to vacate his plea to the misdemeanor and will be sentenced to a violation.

Prosecutors said that Musarella had responded in his official capacity as an EMT to an apartment building in Staten Island where he took a photograph of Wimmer's body for his personal use. He later posted the photo on his Facebook page.

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