Michelle Carter, 20, has been on trial for the last few years after her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, 18, committed suicide in 2014. While suicide is done to oneself, Carter was on trial for involuntary manslaughter after text messages revealed she had pushed Roy to go through with the horrible act.
On Friday, the trial finally came to a close when a judge determined Carter was guilty – she now faces up to 20 years in prison. Carter had pleaded not guilty and also requested to wave the right to a jury – leaving the fate of her life up to the Massachusetts judge.
In 2014, Roy was found inside his pickup truck in a parking lot with a portable generator running. He had died from inhaling the fumes while inside his car. According to lawyers, Roy had a severe history with depression, which Carter was aware of.
Text messages were found in Roy’s phone that went back years and many conversations revolved around Roy’s thoughts about taking his own life. Several messages were exchanged in which Carter suggested ways for Roy to take his life, such as “”Hang yourself, jump off a building, stab yourself idk there’s a lot of ways.”
The last texts found on his cell phone were:
CARTER: You can’t think about it. You just have to do it. You said you were gonna do it. Like I don’t get why you aren’t.
ROY: I don’t get it either. I don’t know.
CARTER: So I guess you aren’t gonna do it then. All that for nothing. I’m just confused. Like you were so ready and determined.
ROY: I am gonna eventually. I really don’t know what I’m waiting for but I have everything lined up.
CARTER: No, you’re not, Conrad. Last night was it. You kept pushing it off and you say you’ll do it, but you never do. It’s always gonna be that way if you don’t take action. You’re just making it harder on yourself by pushing it off. You just have to do it. Do you want to do it now?
ROY: Is it too late? I don’t know. It’s already light outside. I’m gonna go back too sleep. Love you. I’ll text you tomorrow.
CARTER: No. It’s probably the best time now because everyone is sleeping. Just go somewhere in your truck and no one is really out there right now because it’s an awkward time. If you don’t do it now you’re never gonna do it, and you can say you’ll do it tomorrow, but you probably won’t. Tonight? Love you.
The one question that is revolving around everyone’s mind is – why? Why would someone push someone else to take their own life? While we are unsure of the answer, prosecutors spoke to several people within Carter and Roy’s community, who claim Carter was “desperate for attention,” and wanted to be known as the “girlfriend of the boy who committed suicide.”
Michelle Carter will be sentenced on August 3rd.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit their website.