A teenage girl will stand trial on manslaughter charges relating to the suicide of her boyfriend after she allegedly sent him dozens of text messages urging him to “stop thinking about it and just do it”.
Michelle Carter, now 19, is facing manslaughter charges in New Bedford Juvenile Court over the June 2014 suicide of Conrad Roy, 18.
Text messages released by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office allegedly show a then 17-year-old Carter coaxing Roy to end his life, quoting her as telling him he would be “free” and “happy” once he was dead.
When Roy falters in his decision to end his life, Carter allegedly pushes harder, saying: “You kept pushing it off and you say you’ll do it, but you never do … 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?”
Conrad Roy
Carter also allegedly promised to look after Roy’s parents after his death, and helped him devise the method of his death, even allegedly searching the internet for the “best way” to die.
Carter’s lawyers told the court she was “brainwashed” by Roy into believing suicide was his only option.
She later wrote in a text message to another friends that she could have prevented Roy’s suicide if she wanted to, leading to the manslaughter charges.
Carter’s lawyers are arguing words alone are not enough to amount to manslaughter.
“I have not seen any case in Massachusetts where somebody was charged with manslaughter based on words alone,” Ms Carter’s appeal attorney Dana Curhan told The Washington Post.
A trial date is yet to be set. If found guilty, Carter could face up to 20 years in prison.
Texts released by prosecutors to US media outlets included:
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.
ROY: Thank you.
CARTER: For what. Are you awake?
ROY: Yes.
CARTER: Are you gonna do it today?
ROY: Yes.
CARTER: Like in the day time?
ROY: Should I?
CARTER: Yeah, it’s less suspicious. You won’t think about it as much and you’ll get it over with instead of wait until the night.
ROY: Yeah then I will. Like where? Like I could go in any enclosed area.
CARTER: Go in your truck and drive in a parking lot somewhere, to a park or something. Do it like early. Do it now, like early.
ROY: Didn’t we say this was suspicious?
CARTER: No. I think night is more suspicious, a kid sitting in his car turning on the radio. Just do it. It wouldn’t be suspicious and it won’t take long.
ROY: Okay. I’m taking Holly for a walk.
CARTER: Okay.
ROY: I don’t know why I’m like this.
CARTER: Sometimes things happen and we never have the answers why.
ROY: Like, why am I so hesitant lately. Like two weeks ago I was willing to try everything and now I’m worse, really bad, and I’m LOL not following through. It’s eating me inside.
CARTER: You’re so hesitant because you keeping over thinking it and keep pushing it off. You just need to do it, Conrad. The more you push it off, the more it will eat at you. You’re ready and prepared. … you will be free and happy. No more pushing it off. No more waiting.
ROY: You’re right.
CARTER: If you want it as bad as you say you do it’s time to do it today.
ROY: Yup. No more waiting.
CARTER: Okay. I’m serious. Like you can’t even wait ’til tonight. You have to do it when you get back from your walk.
ROY: Thank you.
CARTER: For what?
ROY: Still being here.
CARTER: I would never leave you. You’re the love of my life, my boyfriend. You are my heart. I’d never leave you.
ROY: Aw.
CARTER: I love you.
ROY: Love you, too.
CARTER: When will you be back from your walk?
ROY: Like, five minutes.
CARTER: Okay. So you gonna do it?
ROY: I guess.
CARTER: Well, I want you to be ready and sure. What does that mean?
ROY: I don’t know. I’m freaking out again. I’m over thinking.
CARTER: I thought you wanted to do this. This time is right and you’re ready. You just need to do it. You can’t keep living this way. You just need to do it like you did the last time and not think about it and just do it, babe. You can’t keep doing this every day.
ROY: I do want to but I’m like freaking for my family I guess. I don’t know.
CARTER: Conrad, I told you I’ll take care of them. Everyone will take care of them to make sure they won’t be alone and people will help them get through it. We talked about this and they will be okay and accept it.
ROY: I know. I know. LOL. Thinking just drives me more crazy.
CARTER: You just need to do it, Conrad, or I’m gonna get you help. You can’t keep doing this every day.
ROY: Okay. I’m gonna do it today.
CARTER: You promise?
ROY: I promise, babe. I have to now.
CARTER: Like right now?
ROY: Where do I go?
CARTER: And you can’t break a promise. And just go in a quiet parking lot or something.
ROY: Okay.
CARTER: Go somewhere you know you won’t get caught. You can find a place. I know you can. Are you doing it now?
Later that afternoon, the conversation continued.
ROY: I’m determined.
CARTER: I’m happy to hear that.
ROY: I’m ready.
CARTER: Good because it’s time, babe. You know that. When you get back from the beach you’ve gotta go do it. You’re ready. You’re determined. It’s the best time to do it.
ROY: Okay, I will.
CARTER: Are you back?
ROY: No more thinking.
CARTER: Yes. No more thinking. You need to just do it. No more waiting.
ROY: On way back. I know where to go now.
0CARTER: Where?
ROY: A parking lot. There is going to be no cars there at 9:00. So that’s when I’ll be found.
CARTER: Okay, perfect. When will you be home?
ROY: Ten minutes. Ha ha, that’s perfect.
CARTER: Okay. And, well, yeah, I don’t know.
ROY: Like, I don’t want to kill anyone else with me.
CARTER: You won’t.
At 5:08PM, Conrad returned from the beach and text messaged Carter:
1ROY: I’m home.
CARTER: Okay.
ROY: Ah.
CARTER: What?
ROY: I don’t know. I’m stressing.
CARTER: You’re fine. It’s gonna be okay. You just gotta do it, babe. You can’t think about it.
ROY: Okay. Okay. I got this.
CARTER: Yes, you do. I believe in you. Did you delete the messages?
2ROY: Yes. But you’re going to keep messaging me.
CARTER: I will.
ROY: Okay. Well, I’m bringing my sisters for ice cream.
CARTER: So will you do it when you get back?
ROY: Yup, I’ll go right there.
CARTER: Okay.
ROY: Love you.
CARTER: I love so much.
3ROY: (Smiley face).
CARTER: 33.
ROY: Ha ha. What are you doing?
CARTER: Nothing really. Just resting.
ROY: Okay. Ha, ha I’m procrastinating.
CARTER: Yeah, ha ha, I know. Are you back?
ROY: Yup.
CARTER: So it’s time?
4ROY: Oh, it’s been time.
CARTER: Are you gonna do it now?
ROY: I just don’t know how to leave them, you know.
CARTER: Say you’re gonna go the store or something.
ROY: Like, I want them to know that I love them.
CARTER: They know. That’s one thing they definitely know. You’re over thinking.
ROY: I know I’m over thinking. I’ve been over thinking for a while now.
CARTER: I know. You just have to do it like you said. Are you gonna do it now?
5ROY: I still haven’t left yet, ha ha.
CARTER: Why?
ROY: Leaving now.
CARTER: Okay. You can do this.
ROY: Okay. I’m almost there.
The above is the last text message Roy sent. He was allegedly on the phone to Carter as he died.
Anyone struggling with depression, stress or mental health problems can visit Lifeline or call 13 11 14.
