A mother’s spontaneous selfie became the unexpected key to saving her son from a potential 99-year prison sentence.
Taking a selfie is often a way to capture a moment, but for one mom, it turned out to be a crucial piece of evidence that prevented her son from facing a long-term incarceration.
On September 22, 2017, Christopher Precopia was arrested and charged with first-degree felony burglary of a habitation with intent to commit additional felonies, as noted in the police affidavit, putting him at risk of a 99-year sentence.
Christopher had ended his relationship with his girlfriend years before the incident. His mother, Erin Precopia, spoke to ABC News, revealing that the relationship lasted only six weeks.
The girlfriend, who has not been named, suffered injuries consisting of an ‘X’ cut into her chest with a box cutter.
She named Precopia as a suspect, describing their high school relationship as ‘troubled,’ which led the authorities to consider him a prime suspect. USA Today quoted Precopia, who stated he was bewildered by the situation, saying he ‘had no idea why everything was happening’ when he was detained.
The game-changing evidence came from a surprising source.
On the night of the alleged attack, Christopher was with his mother, Erin, at a hotel located in Austin, Texas, approximately 65 miles away from the accuser’s home, providing a strong alibi.
According to USA Today, Erin expressed her relief, stating: “This is awesome. By the grace of God she said it happened on the day when I can totally, 100 percent, where he was.”
So, what was the evidence that cleared Precopia?
Erin recalled posting a group selfie on social media that was both geolocated and time-stamped, showing Christopher in the photo alongside another couple, at the time of the alleged attack.
“Thankfully, I do log on Facebook all the time, and I check in when I go places,” Erin remarked.
After spending thousands on legal fees and attending numerous meetings with their attorney, the Precopia family presented their undeniable evidence to the Bell County prosecutor.
After nine months of legal battles, the charges were dismissed ‘in the interest of justice,’ and Christopher was set free.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Precopia told USA Today: “I’m ready to actually live my life, the way I want to, without having any kind of worry that this can come back and hurt me.”