Family pushes ‘Dom’s Law’ to block convicted violent offenders from profiting on social media
An Ohio family is calling on state lawmakers to modernize the state’s Son of Sam Law.
The family argues the law was written for an era of book deals and television interviews; not for TikTok, YouTube or online crowdfunding.
Christine Russo, the sister of Dominic Russo, said she launched the petition after watching renewed public attention surrounding the case of her brother’s death and worrying that notoriety tied to violent crime can be turned into clicks, followers and money.
“I had the idea a couple of weeks ago,” Christine Russo said. “The background of it is that my brother’s murderer, who I will not name, she has been obsessed with herself and being social media famous from the very beginning. That seems to be all she cares about.”
Christine Russo is referring to the subject of “The Crash,” a documentary on Netflix. It details the conviction of Mackenzie Shirilla for a fatal crash in Strongsville.
Christine Russo said it is painful for victims’ families to see what she described as online attention and potential opportunities connected to a tragedy.
“Right after she killed my brother, she laid in a hospital bed making TikToks within hours of killing two people,” Christine Russo said. “They sat there on Instagram trying to get modeling gigs hours after killing two people. Seems to be listening to the calls. That’s pretty much all they care about. Her mom’s telling her to write a book. They very much go back and forth laughing about how famous this case has gotten, things like that. So a couple weeks ago, I was just thinking how I could stop that.”
The petition, known as Dom’s Law, is named in honor of Dominic Russo and his friend, Davion Flanagan.
Christine Russo said the effort is tied to the idea of “victims before influencers” and focuses on closing what she sees as digital loopholes that can allow convicted violent offenders to benefit from crime-based notoriety.
“So I came up with, it’s called Dom’s Law – Victims Before Influencers: Modernizing the Son of Sam’s Law,” Christine Russo said. “So in the state of Ohio, the Son of Sam’s Law is basically, it prevents criminals from profiting off of their crimes, violent criminals, but that was written in the 1970s. So that basically covered book sales or writing of books, journals, news articles, things of that sort. Now it’s 2026 and there’s social media and it’s time to relook at these laws. This law would cover social media.”
Christine Russo said this isn’t only about her brother. She wants Flanagan’s name reflected in the effort as well.
“Davion is a part of this as well. This would also be with him too. I am going to change probably the name and put him on it,” Christine Russo said.
Christine Russo said the goal is to prevent victims’ families from being retraumatized while someone convicted of a violent crime builds influence or income connected to the offense.
“No victim’s family should have to watch the person who killed their loved one turn that crime into attention, followers, donations, sponsorships, merchandise, paid interviews, documentaries, social media income or other personal benefits,” Christine Russo said.
She said a modernized law should also address attempts to “find loopholes” through other people or channels.
Christine Russo believes Ohio’s current law is outdated because it predates the modern social media economy, including platform payouts, brand deals, livestream gifts, subscriptions and crowdfunding.
“Our current laws are outdated because they’re written long before social media,” Christine Russo said. “So this is something that’s going to hopefully prevent her or the family finding any loopholes into getting her fame and fortune when she gets out.”
Christine Russo said the petition has received an outpouring of public support in a short amount of time.
“The support behind everybody with supporting our family and Dom and Davion and the victims, it really overpowers all the negativity that I’ve seen,” she said. “There’s hundreds of comments as well. People leaving videos on the site. Strangers, complete strangers that are leaving their condolences. I’m really, really happy with how it’s going in the short amount of time.”
Christine Russo said Dominic Russo “didn’t have a chance,” and she is frustrated by what she sees as a lack of accountability and the expectation of eventual freedom.
“I don’t think she understands the severity of her crime at all. Dom’s never coming back,” Christine Russo said. “I don’t want to stop this until it becomes a law.”
Christine Russo said she had help drafting the petition from Megan Tomlinson, whose mother was murdered in 2024. She said the effort is supported by Silver Lining of Hope, Inc., a group Tomlinson founded in honor of her mother, Leslie Hope Houston.
Christine Russo said her mission in life is to be that voice for Dominic and Davion.
