You can be convicted of manslaughter via text: Michelle Carter found guilty in "manslaughter by text" case

in #news7 years ago (edited)

On Tuesday, in her closing argument, Bristol County District Attorney Katie Rayburn said that "the risk Carter created was reckless and amounts to involuntary manslaughter." In the age of people falling "in love via the Internet and via text," the prosecutor said that "you can encourage someone to die via text, and you can commit a crime via text."

This case is very significant for free speech. It shows that you can be charged and convicted of manslaughter if you use the wrong words with someone who is emotionally unstable. I think Michelle Carter did not handle herself or this situation in the appropriate way but she could get 20 years in prison (longer than she has been alive).

If this case sets a precedent then it sets a new limit on free speech. You cannot tell a person to "kill yourself" because if they actually do it then you might get locked up. And if a person asks you to help them go through with a suicide and you talk them through it you can also get arrested, charged, and convicted.

References


  1. http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/michelle-carter-guilty-of-manslaughter-in-text-suicide-case-w488338
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You made some great comments on a new limitation on free speech. I definitely agree that she could have handled herself better. The results of this case is in away saying that words can be used as a weapon. This conviction besides having an effect on free speech could also affect end-of-life discussions in different situations.

Exactly, but I didn't go that deep into it.

Yes, that's true though your post made me think deeply about it. It doesn't necessarily take a well thought out reflection, a research paper, or an excellent dissertation on a subject to have an impact. Sometimes a mere sentence or even just a word can lead to insights or epiphanies gained about a subject.

manslaughter is what i feel
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Times change and in today's society where everyone gets offended my what others say, people have to smart about what they say.

I agree that in this case that Ms. Carter didn't handle herself in the best way possible, but I don't think she should get jail time for a slip of the tongue.

We don't actually know what went on between them. He was suicidal, and she talked him through it. It's not a clear cut situation where she bullied him into being suicidal which is what makes it difficult. If someone wants someone else to assist them in suicide then that someone else should report the person to the authorities (appropriate response) or cease contact with the person.

I don't know how this can result in a conviction this serious. That's just unbelievable. I understand it was very wrong what she did but manslaughter? really

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