Video - Texting Tragedy: The Case that Redefined Words as Weapons

In July 2014, the death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III, found in his truck from carbon monoxide poisoning, initially appeared as a tragic suicide. However, a disturbing revelation emerged when police reviewed his phone records. His girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, had sent numerous text messages urging him to end his life. In a moment of hesitation, when Conrad left his truck, Michelle texted him to "get back in," and he complied. This led to a groundbreaking legal case where Michelle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, marking a significant precedent where text messages were deemed sufficient for such a conviction. This case ignited a national debate about the power of words and their potential legal consequences. Michelle served 11 months in prison, gaining release in 2020.