Watch CBS News

Massachusetts High Court Will Hear Michelle Carter Suicide Texting Appeal

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court will soon hear the case of a young woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter for sending text messages to her suicidal boyfriend urging him to kill himself.

The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments Thursday in Michelle Carter's case.

The Plainville woman was convicted in June in Conrad Roy's 2014 death and later was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

Michelle Carter
Michelle Carter at her sentencing hearing on August 3, 2017 (WBZ-TV)

A judge found that Carter caused Roy's death when she told him to "get back in" his truck as it was filling with carbon monoxide in Fairhaven.

Prosecutors are urging the court to let the conviction stand.

Carter's attorneys say in court documents that the case will set precedent "for who may be prosecuted for encouraging suicide with words alone." Carter was 17 when Roy died.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.