Family of girl killed in Delaware school: Stop social media lies
Amy's brother, Anthony, said many accounts are fake and spreading lies
- The statement was the first of its kind released through Wilmington police.
- No charges have been filed in the case but Chief Bobby Cummings said three girls will be charged.
- A memorial service is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday in Wilmington.
The family of Amy Inita Joyner-Francis, the Howard High School of Technology student killed in the girls bathroom last week, is calling for an end to the many false social media posts.
The family, speaking for the first time since the tragedy, released a statement through city police, urging those truly concerned about the family to stop the lies.
"We are seeing many sick people out in the world who want to gain money and social fame off my family's loss of Amy," the statement reads. "We want everyone who is truly concerned for us not to fall victim to the scams going on out around the internet. I am the only one on social media, any other family (her mother, father, or brothers) do not have accounts. She does not have a sister as someone is claiming to be. All others will be fake."
The statement, signed by Amy's brother, Anthony, alludes to a larger problem facing investigators and prosecutors in the case. The state Department of Justice, which is helping Wilmington detectives, said publicly that part of the investigation involves reviewing social media posts.
City police also have officers with the Criminal Investigations Division dedicated to social media and online communication. Investigators have not released new information about the deadly assault on April 21 but Wilmington police Chief Bobby Cummings said Monday that charges will be filed against the girls involved.
That process, experts say, can take days, weeks, and even months to get concrete answers, especially when authenticating posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"With photos being passed on and forwarded, sometimes the truth gets so dispersed when it goes and it's not even the truth," said Mike Harris, an investigator with the Colorado District Attorney's Office First Judicial District, who specializes in internet crimes. "Then again, you're looking for the truth so you have to follow up on all those leads."
Police have not confirmed any information about the varying images and videos circulating on social media, other than to say they are looking at social media as part of the investigation.
The hashtags, #ripAmy and #justiceforAmy began soon after her death, drawing tributes, photos and frustration from a school community devastated by its loss.
As part of a thorough investigation, Harris said, officials must review any and all information that could be pertinent to the case, especially when getting charges to stick. The process can significantly slow down when requesting communications records from third party companies that created these smartphone applications.
"Most of the time now, with smartphones, most people carry everything with them in the palm of their hand," Harris said.
He said investigators must still be able to prove who was operating the phone and link people to specific communications. The intricacies of cyber communication quickly make the investigative process even more complex, Harris said.
Cummings said publicly that investigators want to ensure they can bring charges that will stand up in court.
"We did not want to rush to judgment," Cummings said Monday night at a town hall. "We would rather take our time to conduct this investigation the proper way. Charges will be filed, and individuals will be held accountable for their actions."
Investigators have not released a timeline for when charges may be filed.
The community will have the opportunity to support the family at a visitation service scheduled for Sunday at St. Paul UAME Church on North Market Street. The informal service is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The girls involved in the fight have been removed from school, according to school officials, and classes have resumed on a normal schedule. Counselors and mental health teams remain on site.
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The family will not host a public viewing or service.
Amy's brother encouraged those wishing to make a donation in Amy's honor to reach out to the Congo Funeral Home in Wilmington.
"We have not set up and will not set up any fundraisers or Go Fund Me accounts, they are fake pages and accounts are spreading hateful lies, so please do not lose your money or entertain the lies of these cruel people," he said.
Howard High School administrators have not decided whether they will host a separate memorial service for students and the community.
As investigators continue to move forward, Harris said the community must remain patient; he's positive investigators are itching to get an answer, too.
"If the community is frustrated, I guarantee so are the investigators investigating because they want to solve it as quickly possible so one, they can make sure this doesn't happen again," he said, " and two, to hold those responsible accountable for their actions."
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Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.