Michelle Carter, The Teen Who Urged Her Boyfriend To Kill Himself, Was Just Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter

Michelle Carter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2014 death of her then-boyfriend Conrad Roy III.

After 18-year-old Roy committed suicide, Carter was tried for involuntary manslaughter when text messages between the couple surfaced. In the messages, Carter encouraged Roy to kill himself, telling him that it was the best thing he could do.

“I thought you wanted to do this,” she’d texted. “The time is right and you’re ready …  just do it babe.”

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Roy was later found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in his truck in a Kmart parking lot. His phone showed that he’d had a 40-minute conversation with Carter as he attempted to end his life.

While Carter’s defense team claimed that Roy was depressed and would’ve attempted suicide either way, reported the Washington Post. According to the Massachusetts court where Carter was tried, she’d had an obligation to take action to save Roy’s life.

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Carter’s verdict was met with mixed reactions from people, some of who claimed they weren’t surprised and some who believed it was a violation of the First Amendment, including ACLU Massachusetts.

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Carter is currently free on bail until a sentencing hearing on August 3. Until then, she cannot obtain a passport, leave the state or contact Roy’s family.