Earlier today, Michelle Carter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by judge Lawrence Moniz in juvenile court. This case involving the suicide of Michelle's boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, in July of 2014, made headlines across the country. This case has brought about much debate over whether or not words can truly kill. Carter's boyfriend had spoken of attempting suicide before the incident, and researched suicide online, but on the night of the tragedy, Carter repeatedly encouraged him to go through with it.
She sent numerous texts to the young man, according to CNN, including:
Carter: "So are you sure you don't wanna [kill yourself] tonight?"
Roy: "What do you mean am I sure?"
Carter: "Like, are you definitely not doing it tonight?"
Roy: "Idk yet I'll let you know"
Carter: "Because I'll stay up with you if you wanna do it tonight"
Roy: "Another day wouldn't hurt"
Carter: "You can't keep pushing it off, tho, that's all you keep doing."
This is just a portion of many conversations between the young couple between June and July of 2014.
Roy had googled carbon monoxide suicide strategies after Carter suggested it. Apparently, Carter's defense team argued that Roy had severe mental health issues, such as depression, stemming from abuse from family members. Also, in earlier messages, Carter suggested that Roy seek professional help.
"This court finds that instructing Mr. Roy to 'get back in' the truck constitutes wanton and reckless conduct by Ms. Carter," the judge said.
Instead of telling Roy to "get out of the truck" that was filling with carbon monoxide, she told him the opposite. If Carter had told him to get out or stay out, and he still went through with it, there would likely have been no trial. It seems that if the judge had taken into account the previous suicide attempts by Roy, this trial may have ended differently.
The judge didn't take these previous incidents into account because they were deemed irrelevant.
Denouncement of verdict by ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union greatly detests this conviction, saying that although this death was tragic, the verdict stretches the boundaries of our criminal laws and abandons the protections (for freedom of speech) of our constitution.
The digital age brings new problems
With the fast revolving door that is technology, many more cases similar to this one will unfortunately come to light. Cyber-bullying has become an epidemic. Can someone really commit murder through words on a digital device? The answer, in this case, is yes. Had Michelle dialed 911 and/or discouraged the suicide, this may not have happened.
In the end, Carter could receive up to 20 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 3rd.
