A San Diego appellate court this week pierced a long-standing legal shield social media companies have used to quash subpoenas from criminal defendants, likely inviting a California Supreme Court review in the process.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, on Tuesday said homicide suspect Adrian Pina can force the parent companies of Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram to hand over posts and other communications made by his victim, his brother Samuel Pina. Adrian Pina contends the records may show Samuel Pina’s “violent character” and aid in his defense.