Why woman jailed in 'suicide text' case will still walk free early despite parole denial
A woman who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide will walk free despite being denied bail.
Michelle Carter was 17 years old when she ordered her 18-year-old boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, in a 2014 phone call to get back in his carbon monoxide-filled truck he had parked in a Kmart car park.
In 2017, Carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her part in the death of Mr Roy.
Carter’s release date was moved forward from May 5, 2020 to March 13 the same year, CNN reported.
Bristol County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jonathan Darling told CNN Carter’s early release had been earned through “good time”.
Through a program in jail, inmates can earn up to 10 days off their release date each month for working at the jail and attending educational programs.
In their decision earlier this week, the parole board rejected Carter’s request for early release saying she “needs to further address” her actions.
They also wrote they “remain troubled” Carter not only encouraged Mr Roy to kill himself in 2014, but also actively prevented others from intervening.
And they said her statements and actions before and after his death appeared “irrational and lacked sincerity”.
“Given subject’s behaviour in facilitating victim’s death, release is not compatible with best interest of society,” the memo reads in part.
Following the parole board’s decision, Eric Goldman, a lawyer for Mr Roy’s family, says the ruling was “well-reasoned and correct”.
But Carter’s attorney, Joseph Cataldo, said the board’s decision appears to be based on the state Supreme Judicial court’s prior decision upholding his client’s conviction, which he argues was an “incorrect and dangerous” ruling.
Carter’s lawyers maintain her texts were constitutionally protected free speech, and they’ve appealed her conviction to the US Supreme Court, which hasn’t decided whether it will take up the case yet.
—With AP
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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