Crime & Safety
Teen Who Took Life In Texting Case Googled 'Easy, Quick And Painless' Suicide
His girlfriend is on trial for encouraging via text message that the Massachusetts teen take his own life.
TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) -- The Massachusetts teenager prosecutors say was coaxed by text messages from his girlfriend into killing himself had researched suicide online, a defense witness testified Friday. Steven Verronneau, a forensic investigator with MWV Multi-Media Forensics, said he had analyzed the computers and phones owned by Conrad Roy III as well as Michelle Carter, who's charged in Roy's July 2014 death.
Carter, now 20, was 17 when the 18-year-old Roy died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his pickup truck in a store parking lot in Fairhaven. She is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Roy googled "suicide by cop," visited a website that explained "Easy, quick and painless ways to commit suicide," and researched which medications would kill him in his sleep, Verronneau said in Taunton juvenile court.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On cross-examination by prosecutor Katie Rayburn, Verronneau acknowledged that he also found family photos on Roy's devices in which he could be perceived as happy. He also said Carter had likely deleted some messages from her phone she had sent to Roy.
The defense also called a police officer from Roy's hometown to the stand.
Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mattapoisett Patrolman Justin King said he found Roy with a swollen and cut face once while responding to an assault report.
Related:
Motion To Dismiss Manslaughter Charge Against Michelle Carter Denied
On Boyfriend's Suicide: 'I Could Have Stopped Him'
The defense started calling witnesses after Judge Lawrence Moniz denied Cataldo's motion for a directed verdict of not guilty, a standard legal procedure. The prosecution has rested.
The case is being heard without a jury in juvenile court because of Carter's age at the time of Roy's death. She was charged as a juvenile offender, which could subject her to adult punishment if convicted.
The Carter trial is scheduled to resume Monday.
- Michelle Carter Murder Case: Attorneys Give Opening Statements
- Plainville Woman Accused Of Encouraging Boyfriend's Suicide Waives Right To Jury
- Police Say High School Student Pressured Boyfriend into Committing Suicide
- Charges Stand Against Teen Accused of Encouraging Friend's Suicide
Image Credit: George Rizer/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool
