Video - Words That Kill: The Michelle Carter Case

On July 13, 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy III was found dead in his truck from carbon monoxide poisoning. What initially appeared as a tragic suicide took a dark turn when police examined his phone. His girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, had sent dozens of messages encouraging him to take his life. When Conrad expressed doubts and exited his truck, Michelle texted him to "Get back in." He did. In a landmark case, Michelle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter through text messages alone. This case sparked a national debate: Can words alone make someone responsible for another's suicide? Michelle served 11 months in prison and was released in 2020.