Jennifer Mee - from the News as 'Hiccup Girl' to Alleged Murder

She made the news in 2007 for a bad case of hiccups. Now Jennifer Mee is in the news because she faces murder charges. The nineteen-year-old Florida woman known as 'Hiccup Girl' was charged Sunday, with the first-degree felony murder of Shannon Griffin. Griffin, a man who worked at Wal-Mart, died in a botched robbery. Police allege Mee socialized with Griffin online and set up the robbery.

From Online Chat to Murder

Apparently, Jennifer Mee's online guise of befriending Shannon Griffin carried the actual intention of robbery. Mee lured Griffin to meet her at a vacant house. Mee brought Griffin behind the house where two males waited there to rob the unsuspecting man.

The robbery, horrible enough in itself, took a turn and Shannon Griffin was shot several times. In an unfathomable turn of events, Griffin - was robbed and died over - approximately $50.

Society & Social Networks

On so many levels, I cannot comprehend this unforgiveable crime. Nonchalantly chatting with someone online, all the while plotting to rob them is beyond my realm of understanding as a human being.

This sad and needless crime leaves me shaking my head over how casually people hook up with total strangers through a social network. The careless form of instant trust boggles my mind.

However, chatting with someone online does not mean a safe relationship cannot ensue. Tons of people meet on the Internet and establish friendships and lasting relationships. Following some simple safety rules are definitely in order, though.

Hook Up in a Public Place

I wish I could turn back the clock a few days for Shannon Griffin. When he made the choice to leave his house Sunday at 10 p.m. to meet a woman, as he apparently told his family: If only he had the good sense to meet his new (only days) cyber friend, Jennifer Mee in a public place.

Of course, I realize safety and meeting someone in a public place is probably not even a thought for many people. I certainly remember my own youth. The fear factor did not exist for me either. It simply had not developed yet. It was part of the learning process. That was before the Internet, though.

Obviously 'Hiccup Girl," who police claim knew what she was doing, had no fear either. This is a miserable story to be sure. Jennifer Mee, Lamont Newton and Laron Raiford await their fate on murder charges. More lives needlessly wasted in jail. Shannon Griffin died... for what?

Sources:

Catherine E. Shoichet, "'Hiccup Girl' Charged with Murder after Luring Man into Trap" CNN.com

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