A young woman has gone on trial in Massachusetts accused of driving her boyfriend to suicide. Michelle Carter allegedly urged Conrad Roy, 18, to take his life via text messages and phone calls.
Ms Carter, now 20, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. She is being tried in a juvenile court, as she was 17 at the time, and could face 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors say she used the depressed man “as a pawn in her sick game of life or death”. On July 12, 2014, she wrote: “You’re ready . . . you need to just do it.” Another text said: “Just park your car and sit there and it will take, like, 20 minutes. It’s not a big deal.”
Conrad’s body was found in his truck at a car park in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. The death was ruled a suicide. Ms Carter denies the charge. Her lawyers argue that her texts are an expression of free speech. The trial continues.