Michelle Carter Trial: Teen Who Allegedly Encouraged Boyfriend To Kill Himself Facing Involuntary Manslaughter Charge, Will Start Trial Next Month

Michelle Carter is set to go on trial after the teen allegedly persuaded boyfriend Conrad Roy III to kill himself, texting the teen repeatedly to help make suicide plans and even telling him to follow through with plans when he got cold feet.

Roy was found dead in his truck on July 13, 2014, the victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. What initially appeared to be a desperate act from a young man overcome with depression soon emerged as something much darker when investigators uncovered text messages from Carter allegedly helping Roy plan his suicide.

Carter is now charged with involuntary manslaughter, and set to go on trial on October.

Michelle Carter’s case has made national headlines, largely due to the disturbing correspondences with her boyfriend in the weeks leading up to his death. She made suggestions for ways he could kill himself, and asked often when he was planning on going through with it.

Carter also made assurances that Roy’s family would not be too hurt by his death.

In one long exchange, she wrote,

“They know there is nothing they can do. They’ve tried helping. Everyone’s tried, but there is a point that comes where there isn’t anything anyone can do to save you, not even yourself.”

“And you’ve hit that point and I think your parents know you’ve hit that point. You said your mom saw a suicide thing on your computer and she didn’t say anything. I think she knows it’s on your mind and she’s prepared for it.”

“Everyone will be sad for a while but they will get over it and move on. They won’t be in depression. I won’t let that happen. They know how sad you are, and they know that you are doing this to be happy and I think they will understand and accept it.”

Carter also appeared to be preparing friends and family for Roy’s suicide. In one exchange, she contacted a friend saying that Roy went missing, but was actually in contact with Roy at the same time.

As the Washington Post noted, Michelle Carter seemed to revel in the attention she found after Conrad Roy’s death. She posted on social media about suicide awareness and even planned fundraisers.

Michelle Carter’s lawyer, Joseph Cataldo, claims there is no evidence that she caused the death of Conrad Roy III, telling People magazine, “nobody can get you to kill yourself if you don’t want to kill yourself.”

[Image via MyFoxBoston]