Michelle Carter: Massachusetts Teen Encouraged Peer To Commit Suicide, Then Tried To Raise Money In His Name
A Massachusetts teenager encouraged a peer to commit suicide, and then attempted to raise money for suicide prevention in his name, The Daily Mail is reporting.
Conrad Roy III committed suicide in the parking lot of a Fairfield, Massachusetts K-Mart on July 13, 2014, but the incident is only now gaining the attention of the media.
While investigating Conrad’s death, police found that he had received over 1,000 texts from Michelle Carter, according to The Sun Chronicle. Those texts encouraged Conrad to commit suicide, according to Fairhaven police Detective Scott Gordon.
“Not only did Conrad tell Carter in several of his texts prior to his death that he was scared and didn’t want to leave his family, she continued to encourage him to take his own life, and when he actually started to carry out the act, he got scared again and exited his truck, but instead of telling him to stay out of the truck… Carter told him to ‘get back in.'”
He later died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
After his death, Ms. Carter took to social media to express her grief at the death of her “friend.”
The hardest word to say is goodbye. I miss you always my angel pic.twitter.com/xmfCNJgY1w
— Michelle Carter (@michyc47) July 19, 2014
National Suicide Awareness day, I wish more people understood. I love you and miss you everyday Conrad Help others #WeCanEndSuicide
— Michelle Carter (@michyc47) September 11, 2014
She also went on to use her peer’s suicide to raise money for suicide prevention, organizing a softball tournament in Conrad’s name.
My friend @michyc47 is running a softball tournament in memory of her boyfriend. Please help! Contact me for details pic.twitter.com/FO8kHcQWfk
— Jenn Robillard (@jrobillard3) September 10, 2014
The event raised $2,300 for suicide prevention.
On February 5, prosecutors indicted Michelle Carter on charges of first-degree manslaughter for her role in Conrad’s death. Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for Bristol County District Attorney Quinn, explains hos prosecutors made that decision.
“Instead of attempting to assist [Conrad] or notify his family or school officials, Ms. Carter is alleged to have strongly influenced his decision to take his own life, encouraged him to commit suicide and guided him in his engagement of activities which led to his death.”
Family attorney Joseph P. Cataldo believes that those charges won’t stick.
“They’re trying to claim there is manslaughter, when they freely admit the boy took his own life. You can’t have it both ways.”
Michelle Carter is currently free on bail and, according to The Guardian, is still involved in charity work while awaiting trial.
Do you believe that Ms. Carter deserves criminal charges for encouraging her friend to commit suicide? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
[Images courtesy of: The Sun Chronicle]
