‘It’s now or never': Texts reveal teen’s efforts to pressure boyfriend into suicide

[Teddy B 17,251]

Suicide itself is no longer a crime in the US (there may be an outlier i'm unaware of).

There are aiding and abetting laws in some states but if you look at the history of prosecution it typically involved a person acquiring the physical suicide method or transporting the person to a location where the suicide took place. (There was a big deal in the UK regarding transportation - families that took a relative abroad to a location where euthanasia was legal could be charged upon reentry to the UK).

Lets think outside the current framework for a moment. Oregon has an assisted suicide law and while its very limited, I think assisted suicide laws could spread to other states and become more liberal. If we enter a time where assisted suicide is legal without restrictions, this case will look very different.

Suicide is no longer a crime, however assisted suicide is. And in Massachusetts where this took place, it falls under the "common law" statutes which would also include aiding and abetting.

Edited September 2, 2015 by Teddy B

[Jacque67 7,328]

Read one of the comments to the OP's link... This shows us how scary the Internet and social media can be... She , the accused, obviously felt detached from the situation as the relationship wasn't focussed IRL per se.

Hey, Teddy, jump off a bridge right now!

[Teddy B 17,251]

Read one of the comments to the OP's link... This shows us how scary the Internet and social media can be... She , the accused, obviously felt detached from the situation as the relationship wasn't focussed IRL per se.

Hey, Teddy, jump off a bridge right now!

It is scary and what this girl did is criminal in my opinion. The boy was in an extremely vulnerable state and she knew it. She made the conscious choice to encourage and assist him to commit suicide. Manslaughter is the proper charge here and I hope she is convicted.

Whatever you say Jacque!

[Teddy B 17,251]

Suicide is no longer a crime, however assisted suicide is. And in Massachusetts where this took place, it falls under the "common law" statutes which would also include aiding and abetting.

To add to this, Sousuke and ROY are correct that the "aiding and abetting" statute would not apply in the traditional sense in this case, because suicide itself is not a crime. In this case it is the aiding and abetting of the suicide, (or assisted suicide), that is the actual crime.

[TENBILLIONDOLLARS 216]

She seems to have a mental illness IMO. I personally think the legal system should not be involved.

This is what white privilege sounds like to the rest of us.

[Jacque67 7,328]

This is what white privilege sounds like to the rest of us.

White privilege=mental illness?

Like it-lol!

[Sousuke 1,214]

To add to this, Sousuke and ROY are correct that the "aiding and abetting" statute would not apply in the traditional sense in this case, because suicide itself is not a crime. In this case it is the aiding and abetting of the suicide, (or assisted suicide), that is the actual crime.

The thing is, that assisted suicide is typically prosecuted when a person physically engages in aiding the person. Such as purchasing a lethal drug or chemical, supplying a firearm, driving them to a cliff or bridge etc.

Its extremely rare to see a case where a person is prosecuted simply for telling a person to kill themselves in emails or texts. One could argue that writing a pro-suicide book could be grounds for criminal prosecution if that were the case.

[Teddy B 17,251]

The thing is, that assisted suicide is typically prosecuted when a person physically engages in aiding the person. Such as purchasing a lethal drug or chemical, supplying a firearm, driving them to a cliff or bridge etc.

Its extremely rare to see a case where a person is prosecuted simply for telling a person to kill themselves in emails or texts. One could argue that writing a pro-suicide book could be grounds for criminal prosecution if that were the case.

This case is definitely something rare, but I think it has merit. At the very least this girl's actions were extremely morally corrupt, but I think, and the prosecutor seems to agree, that she is criminally responsible in a manslaughter capacity.

This girl was up close and personal with the boy, she not only gave him advice on how to kill himself, but she strongly encouraged it. She even harassed him for backing out one time. That's a far cry from writing a book for anonymous people to read.

I'm a firm believer in the 1st amendment, but there are times when words have serious consequences.

[TBoneTX 43,413]

[Mod hat on]

A noncontributory post has been removed.

[Mod hat off]

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

This case is definitely something rare, but I think it has merit. At the very least this girl's actions were extremely morally corrupt, but I think, and the prosecutor seems to agree, that she is criminally responsible in a manslaughter capacity.

This girl was up close and personal with the boy, she not only gave him advice on how to kill himself, but she strongly encouraged it. She even harassed him for backing out one time. That's a far cry from writing a book for anonymous people to read.

I'm a firm believer in the 1st amendment, but there are times when words have serious consequences.

I agree Teddy. At a minimum, she should be evaluated by a mental health specialist. She is either off her own rocker (and could use some help herself), or she is simply... devoid of morals. Either way, an individual who should not be out there in the internet freely giving advice.