So texted Michelle Carter to Conrad Roy, her 18-year-old boyfriend. And there were many other texts to follow. She goaded him to commit suicide, or at least that's what prosecutors are alleging. And now she faces trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge. This will be an interesting trial particularly in regards to who is responsible for Conrad Roy's death. There's no doubt it was by his own hand, but is Michelle Carter culpable because she encouraged him to commit the act?
But this isn't exactly new. In 1816, long before there was texting, George Bowen was charged with "murder by counseling." It seems he was an inmate and convinced Jonathan Jewett, a convicted murderer who occupied the adjacent cell adjacent, to hang himself. Apparently Jewett did and Bowen was charged with encouraging his suicide.
So it seems there is nothing new after all.
