Woman who sent texts urging boyfriend's suicide guilty of manslaughter

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

Erod said:

This just seems wrong, and I doubt it will hold up to appeal.

Ugly situation, but manslaughter? I can't get there.

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I look at it pretty much the opposite. She encouraged a guy to kill himself, and when that person indicated to her he was scared and climbed OUT of his car, she urged him to get back in and to therefore die. Seems entirely right and proper to punish that kind of behavior, at least ethically and morally. What she did was unconscionable.

I also don't really see the 'slippery slope' problem. There is a clear line - she was a trusted friend who repeatedly urged someone emotionally unstable to kill themselves. That's entirely different than doing nothing to stop something, such as in this case failing to call the police. She was an active participant in his effort by encouraging him to try, then complete, his suicide attempt. Can't imagine those facts being common, and if they are and people are convicted, great. They deserve it.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

This is irrational and horrific.

He made his own choices, period.

Fenton Lum said:

Interesting, so we can apply this to politicans now and their rhetoric?

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If that's not sarcasm that I'm missing, care to cite anything remotely equivalent said by a politician?

danarhea said:

This is crazy, and should be appealed. Many years ago, someone who didn't like me told me I should kill myself. I'm still here. That was MY decision. What happened here was HIS decision.

'Ya know, if suggestions like this actually work, I'm glad I told that asshole to go **** himself. LOL.

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But the situations are entirely different. She was a trusted friend, and didn't just make an offhand comment. She urged him for weeks or months, then when he said he was scared and attempted to stop, she urged him as a FRIEND to complete the job and get back in the car.

Fenton Lum said:

Interesting. The overlap is corporate control of both. And we never want to look at our system, just individuals. I'm sorry, if you wish to convict folks of contribution to death via conversation, I can't follow you there. But our govt has already often led the way on murdering people for talking and having "dangerous" ideas. That's our system.

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You need a new thread for that discussion. If a media ranter or politician urged followers to murder and they followed through, you would have a case, imo.

And no, wars and droning don't count.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

Fenton Lum said:

Note to self, don't call, keep walking.

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That's bizarre. Seems like human decency and a conscience would urge you to call the police and try to stop a suicide.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

JayDubya said:

This is irrational and horrific.

He made his own choices, period.

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So if you tell Trig Palin to walk/crawl in front of a speeding car, his death is on him?

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

JasperL said:

I look at it pretty much the opposite. She encouraged a guy to kill himself, and when that person indicated to her he was scared and climbed OUT of his car, she urged him to get back in and to therefore die. Seems entirely right and proper to punish that kind of behavior, at least ethically and morally. What she did was unconscionable.

I also don't really see the 'slippery slope' problem. There is a clear line - she was a trusted friend who repeatedly urged someone emotionally unstable to kill themselves. That's entirely different than doing nothing to stop something, such as in this case failing to call the police. She was an active participant in his effort by encouraging him to try, then complete, his suicide attempt. Can't imagine those facts being common, and if they are and people are convicted, great. They deserve it.

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I get all that. They're still only words, and he still made the decision without physical interference from her. They're both equally mentally disturbed most likely.

Does this mean that peer pressure is now potentially criminal?

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

Higgins86 said:

Sets a dangerous precedent in my eyes, where do we draw the line?
If I walk past someone trying to jump off a bridge and do nothing to stop them am I now vulnerable for prosecution?

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There is a difference between not doing something and possibly placing yourself in jeopardy and encouraging the person to jump already.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

<alt>doxygen said:

So if you tell Trig Palin to walk/crawl in front of a speeding car, his death is on him?

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An adult has responsibility for themselves.

A nine year old with Down's would be his parents' responsibility.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

JayDubya said:

An adult has responsibility for themselves.

A nine year old with Down's would be his parents' responsibility.

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Change it to an adult with Down's.

The guy who committed suicide in this case was likely mentally ill.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

Erod said:

I get all that. They're still only words, and he still made the decision without physical interference from her. They're both equally mentally disturbed most likely.

Does this mean that peer pressure is now potentially criminal?

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No, being a trusted friend actively encouraging someone, over a period of MONTHS, to commit suicide, then urging him to complete the job when someone tries to back out might be potentially criminal. I can't imagine anyone who is 'innocent' being unfairly charged under the standard here. All that's required is to behave as if you have just slightly more of a conscience than a rattlesnake.

And if someone demonstrates she's mentally ill, OK, but that's not in the record. Also, obviously it was his ultimate decision, which is why she's not being charged with first degree murder, simply manslaughter.

Re: Manslaughter for texting bf to kill self

JayDubya said:

This is irrational and horrific.

He made his own choices, period.

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I just don't understand that sentiment at all.

She behaved like a sociopath with a complete and utter disregard for this person's life, much less his well being. Perhaps the legal outcome is troubling, but ethically and morally I see no problem punishing abhorrent behavior demonstrated by this supposed friend and trusted person - encouraging someone to kill themselves.