BOSTON - An 18-year-old Massachusetts girl is charged with involuntary manslaughter after authorities say she encouraged a fellow high school student to commit suicide in 2014, reports CBS Boston.
Police say 18-year-old Conrad Roy committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on July 13, 2014, behind a K-Mart in Fairhaven, about 60 miles south of Boston.
The Bristol District Attorney's Office told CBS Boston Michelle Carter was indicted on February 5 after a lengthy investigation found she "strongly influenced" Roy's decision to kill himself.
The Associated Press reports Carter was 17 at the time of Roy's death and has been charged as a youthful offender. That means her case will be heard in juvenile court but she could face punishment as an adult if convicted. She is free on $2,500 bond.
The Fairhaven Neighborhood News reports investigators determined Roy and Carter had texted each other more than 1,000 times in the days leading up to Roy's death.
Investigators say just prior to Roy committing suicide, he became scared, said he did not want to leave his family and as a result, got out of his car. Carter then told him to "get back in," the paper says, citing court documents.
According to the New Bedford Standard Times, authorities said Carter was not with Roy at the time, but urged him on via text.
The girl's lawyer tells The Standard Times that Carter did not commit a crime and expects the charges to be dismissed.
A pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for April 17.
Police say 18-year-old Conrad Roy committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on July 13, 2014, behind a K-Mart in Fairhaven, about 60 miles south of Boston.
The Bristol District Attorney's Office told CBS Boston Michelle Carter was indicted on February 5 after a lengthy investigation found she "strongly influenced" Roy's decision to kill himself.
The Associated Press reports Carter was 17 at the time of Roy's death and has been charged as a youthful offender. That means her case will be heard in juvenile court but she could face punishment as an adult if convicted. She is free on $2,500 bond.
The Fairhaven Neighborhood News reports investigators determined Roy and Carter had texted each other more than 1,000 times in the days leading up to Roy's death.
Investigators say just prior to Roy committing suicide, he became scared, said he did not want to leave his family and as a result, got out of his car. Carter then told him to "get back in," the paper says, citing court documents.
According to the New Bedford Standard Times, authorities said Carter was not with Roy at the time, but urged him on via text.
The girl's lawyer tells The Standard Times that Carter did not commit a crime and expects the charges to be dismissed.
A pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for April 17.
