Conrad Roy III's Death
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Overview
Conrad Roy III was an American teenager who died by suicide in July of 2014. After his death, investigators found that a friend, Michelle Carter, had encouraged him to kill himself repeatedly over text message. Michelle Carter was later charged with involuntary manslaughter in Roy's death, in a trial which received widespread media attention in September of 2015.
Background
On July 13th, 2014, 18 year-old Conrad Roy III was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in his pickup truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Michelle Carter, also 18, was a teen he communicated with often who lived in Michigan – she is sometimes described as his former girlfriend, and it is clear they communicated mostly by phone and online. Carter claimed to have been on the phone with Roy when he died, telling a friend later “It’s my fault. I was talking to him while he killed himself. I heard him cry in pain.”[1]
Developments
During the investigation into Roy's death, the prosecutor in Massachusetts found thousands of text messages sent between July 6th and July 12th between Carter and Roy where Carter positively encouraged Roy to kill himself.[2] A selection of these messages was provided by the prosecution[3] and can be viewed below:
CONRAD ROY: How was your day?
MICHELLE CARTER: When are you doing it?
CONRAD: Since you don’t get your snapchat anymore, I sent them to you.
CARTER: (Smiley face) My day was okay. How was yours?
CONRAD: Good.
CARTER: Really?
CONRAD: Yes.
CARTER: That’s great. What did you do?
CONRAD: Ended up going to work for a little bit and then just looked stuff up.
CARTER: When are you gonna do it? Stop ignoring the question
The exchanges below took place the day of Roy’s suicide:
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.
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: 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?
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: Thank you.
CARTER: For what. Are you awake?
CONRAD: Yes.
CARTER: Are you gonna do it today?
CONRAD: Yes.
CARTER: Like in the day time?
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: Okay. I’m taking Holly for a walk.
CARTER: Okay.
CONRAD: I don’t know why I’m like this.
CARTER: Sometimes things happen and we never have the answers why.
CONRAD: 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. All you have to do is tum the generator on and you will be free and happy. No more pushing it off. No more waiting.
CONRAD: You’re right.
CARTER: If you want it as bad as you say you do it’s time to do it today.
CONRAD: Yup. No more waiting.
CARTER: Okay. I’m serious. Like you can’t even wait ’till tonight. You have to do it when you get back from your walk.
CONRAD: Thank you.
CARTER: For what?
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: Aw.
CARTER: I love you.
CONRAD: Love you, too.
CARTER: When will you be back from your walk?
CONRAD: Like, five minutes.
CARTER: Okay. So you gonna do it?
CONRAD: I guess.
CARTER: Well, I want you to be ready and sure. What does that mean?
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: 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. People who commit suicide don’t think this much. They just could do it.
CONRAD: 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 everyday.
CONRAD: Okay. I’m gonna do it today.
CARTER: You promise?
CONRAD: I promise, babe. I have to now.
CARTER: Like right now?
CONRAD: Where do I go?
CARTER: And you can’t break a promise. And just go in a quiet parking lot or something.
CONRAD: Okay.
CARTER: Go somewhere you know you won’t get caught. You can find a place. I now you can. Are you doing it now?Later that afternoon, the conversation continued
CONRAD: I’m determined.
CARTER: I’m happy to hear that.
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: Okay, I will.
CARTER: Are you back?
CONRAD: No more thinking.
CARTER: Yes. No more thinking. You need to just do it. No more waiting.
CONRAD: On way back. I know where to go now.
CARTER: Where?
CONRAD: 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?
CONRAD: Ten minutes. Ha ha, that’s perfect.
CARTER: Okay. And, well, yeah, I don’t know.
CONRAD: Like, I don’t want to kill anyone else with me.
CARTER: You won’t.
CONRAD: When they open the door they won’t know it’s odorless and colorless.
CARTER: You’re over thinking. They will see the generator and realize you breathed in CO too.
CONRAD: So should I keep it in the back seat or front?
CARTER: In the front. You could write on a piece of paper and tape it on saying carbon monoxide or something if you’re scared.
CONRAD: I was thinking that but someone might see it before it actually happens.
CARTER: Well, wait, the generator is gonna be on because you’ll be passed out, so they’ll know you used carbon monoxide. Dead. It’s not loud is it?
CONRAD: Not really, LMAO.
CARTER: Okay, good. Are you gonna do it now?
At approximately 5:08 PM, Roy had returned from the beach and was considering backing out of the plan.
CONRAD: I’m home.
CARTER: Okay.
CONRAD: Ah.
CARTER: What?
CONRAD: 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.
CONRAD: Okay. Okay. I got this.
CARTER: Yes, you do. I believe in you. Did you delete the messages?
CONRAD: Yes. But you’re going to keep messaging me.
CARTER: I will until you turn on the generator.
CONRAD: Okay. Well, I’m bringing my sisters for ice cream.
CARTER: So will you do it when you get back?
CONRAD: Yup, I’ll go right there.
CARTER: Okay.
CONRAD: Love you.
CARTER: I love so much.
CONRAD: (Smiley face).
CARTER: 33.
CONRAD: Ha ha. What are you doing?
CARTER: Nothing really. Just resting.
CONRAD: Okay. Ha, ha I’m procrastinating.
CARTER: Yeah, ha ha, I know. Are you back?
CONRAD: Yup.
CARTER: So it’s time?
CONRAD: Oh, it’s been time.
CARTER: Are you gonna do it now?
CONRAD: I just don’t know how to leave them, you know.
CARTER: Say you’re gonna go the store or something.
CONRAD: Like, I want them to know that I love them.
CARTER: They know. That’s one thing they definitely know. You’re over thinking.
CONRAD: 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?
CONRAD: I still haven’t left yet, ha ha.
CARTER: Why?
CONRAD: Leaving now.
CARTER: Okay. You can do this.
CONRAD: Okay. I’m almost there.
Online Reaction
#JusticeForConrad
In addition to extensive news media coverage from sources like People Magazine, WCVB Boston, the Daily Mail, and the Huffington Post,[4][3][6][7] the indictment of Michelle Carter inspired the hash tag "#JusticeforConrad", which between August 28th, 2015 and September 2nd, 2015 was used 29,000 times on Twitter.[8][9] A page on Facebook supporting Justice for Conrad received over 1,200 likes.[10]
Impact
Indictment
On August 21st, 2015, the District Attorney of Massachusetts indicted Michelle Carter for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Conrad Roy III. During her first court appearance, Carter's defense claimed that Roy had brainwashed her into entering a "Romeo and Juliet"-style death pact[5], while denying any wrongdoing on the part of Carter by arguing that she was merely exercising her first amendment right to free speech. On June 5th, 2017, the day that jury selection for the trial was set to begin, Carter[11] waived her right to a jury trial and opted for a verdict by the judge presiding over the case.
Verdict
On June 16th, Judge Lawrence[12] Moniz found Carter guilty of involuntary manslaughter, explaining that the defendant's conduct toward her ex-boyfriend constituted "wanton and reckless conduct," particularly when she instructed Roy to get back into the truck after he had exited the vehicle during his attempt. Carter, now 20-years-old, is scheduled to be sentenced for her crime on August 3rd; she faces up to 20 years in prison.
Sentencing
On August 3rd, 2017, Carter was sentenced to 15 months in jail and five years probation for the manslaughter charge. Additionally, the court ordered that since Carter was partially motivated by "self-aggrandizement," that she is not allowed to profit from the crime in any way.
That day, YouTuber Philip DeFranco uploaded an episode discussing the sentencing, which gathered upwards of 1.05 million views and 12 million comments within 24 hours (shown below). Meanwhile, a post about the sentencing reached the front page of the /r/news[13] subreddit, where it gathered upwards of 15,900 points (89% upvoted) and 4,400 comments within 24 hours.
Search Interest
External References
[1] Fox59 – Woman who allegedly coaxed depressed boyfriend to commit suicide appears in court, #JusticeForConrad trending
[2] WCVB – MIchelle Carter Indictment
[3] Deadstate – Here are the disturbing texts from Michelle Carter pressuring her boyfriend to commit suicide
[4] People Magazine – Teen Encouraged Friend to Commit Suicide, Police Say
[5] People Magazine – Suicidal Teen Allegedly Texted Friend, 'Let's Do a Romeo and Juliet,' Says Lawyer
[6] The Daily Mail – A heartless killer or brainwashed by love? Honor student 'who sent 1,000 texts urging boyfriend to kill himself' claims dead boy lured HER into 'Romeo and Juliet suicide plot'
[7] Huffington Post Crime – 'It's Now Or Never,' Texted Teen Charged In Boyfriend's Suicide
[8] Twitter – Search: #JusticeForConrad
[9] Topsy – Search: #JusticeforConrad
[10] Facebook – Justice for Conrad
[11] Fox News – Massachusetts woman accused in texting suicide case waives right to jury trial
[12] New York Times – Michelle Carter Is Guilty of Manslaughter in Texting Suicide Case
Top Comments
Parkraft 123
Sep 02, 2015 at 01:24PM EDT
WarLordM
Aug 04, 2017 at 12:35PM EDT