Violent images sent to victim's family a form of "psychological terrorism," expert says
CBSN
Bianca Devins, 17, was murdered by a friend in Utica, N.Y. The killer posted images of her lifeless body online, which went viral. Making matters worse, the images were sent to her family. 911 DISPATCH: What's the female's name? OFFICER [bodycam video]: Is there a Bianca Devins that lives here? OFFICER [bodycam video]: Can you try to get a hold of your daughter? KIM DEVINS [to officer]: It went right to voice mail. BIANCA DEVINS [cell phone video]: Hi. It's like 6 in the morning and I am currently editing this, but I just wanted to let you know that I am so funny. DISPATCHER: 911. What is your emergency? DISPATCH: He's going to kill himself. OFFICER [to Kim Devins]: He's not telling us where he is. They're basically pinging his phone. DISPATCHER: Just stay on the line with me, OK? OFFICER: Put the knife down man! Put the knife down! OFFICER: Where's the girl!? Where is she!? DET. BRYAN COROMATO [bodycam video to officers on scene]: The news has got this, so you better send someone to the mom's house to give her a head's up before … BRANDON CLARK [in court]: I know that sorry is not enough, I know it won't take back what I did. FRANK WILLIAMS [outside courtroom after July 28th hearing]: Don't play games. Take your punishment. Give this family some peace. BRANDON CLARK: He knew that I was a first-time offender and had no knowledge of the legal system, knowledge about court proceedings. LUKE NEBUSH: I went to the Oneida County jail 15 times prior to his plea. … There were moments where I spent 4 or 5 hours with him. There were moments where I probably spent 2. Maybe an average of 3. PROSECUTOR MICHAEL NOLAN: Again, whose idea was it to plead guilty to these charges? PROSECUTOR MICHAEL NOLAN: You are making claims that Mr. Nebush did not do his job, but you don't know that — correct? KIM DEVINS [in tears]: With the death of your child comes the most unimaginable and indescribable pain. A pain that time cannot heal and only seems to worsen. BRANDON CLARK: I hate myself for what I did. I am so sorry that I put everyone through this. I'm so sorry that I put Bianca through this. I — I wish I could apologize to her and just apologize and apologize and take it back but … [looks down shaking his head]. FORMER CONGRESSMAN BRINDISI: Today we are putting social media companies on notice. We are taking substantive action on the federal level to bring the Devins's peace and ensure this never happens to another family again.
"Social media was a huge part of Bianca's life," says Bianca's mother Kim Devins." And online, she could be whoever she wanted to be. CALLER 1: Bianca Michelle Devins. OLIVIA DEVINS: Yeah why? KIM DEVINS: Yeah. BRANDON CLARK: My name is Brandon. The victim is Bianca Michelle Devins. … I'm going to kill myself. OFFICER [bodycam video to Kim Devins]: Brandon — is that her ex or her boyfriend — or? Apparently, he's suicidal. He's made statements saying that he hurt your daughter. BRANDON CLARK: No, I'm not going to stay on the line with you. I'm going to be dead on the ground. LUKE NEBUSH: Mr. Clark's. BRANDON CLARK: With the resources I was provided it looks like he did not do his job. FRANK WILLIAMS: Brandon, for the cruel manner in which you took my granddaughter's life, for the total disregard you had for a human life; for the callous act in which you posted pictures of her murdered body on social media to gratify your own selfish purposes, you, Brandon, deserve to spend the rest of your life in prison.
An image of Bianca's body first appeared on the social media platform Discord on July 14, 2019. At first, friends thought it was a fake because it was not unusual for people on the platform to post disturbing images to get a rise out of others. That thinking changed when Brandon Clark, who had been out with Bianca the night she died, called 911. CALLER 2: I'm hoping the girl is just bleeding badly and maybe still alive. MICHAEL NOLAN: And it was your intention … to take this matter to trial? MICHAEL NOLAN: And again, what law school did you go to Mr. Clark?
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