Friday, May 15, 2009

** Staten Island, New York EMT in trouble after publishing photo of murder victim on website

** Philadelphia EMS LODDs to have posthumously elevated ranks?

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A former Staten Island, New York EMT could face legal sanctions, after publishing the photo of a murder victim on his Facebook page. The Staten Island Advance (John Annese/May 14) said Mark Musarella, 46, who was recently fired from Richmond University Medical Center, photographed Caroline Wimmer March 30 after she had been strangled to death. A retired police detective, Musarella’s action will apparently not impact the case against Wimmer’s accused murderer. The photo has since been taken down by the site.

** Philadelphia paramedics in Pennsylvania could see LODDs elevated posthumously to a higher rank. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Gail Shister/May 14) said a decision on the matter was taken Tuesday as council members considered changes to the city’s Home Rule Charter. According to the newspaper, the proposed amendement would allow surviving family members to receive higher pension payments. A spokesman for the city quoted earlier this week opposed the alteration, saying such changes should be dealt with at the bargaining table. Results of the vote are not yet available.