In this Aug. 24, 2015 file photo, Michelle Carter listens to defense attorney Joseph P. Cataldo argue for an involuntary manslaughter charge against her to be dismissed at Juvenile Court in New Bedford, Mass. Carter, of Plainville, Mass., is charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly pressuring Conrad Roy III, of Fairhaven, Mass., to commit suicide in 2014. Her lawyer will ask the Supreme Judicial Court Thursday, April 7, 2016, to overrule a lower court judge who refused to dismiss the youthful offender indictment against her, which makes her eligible for up to 20 years in prison instead of a lower sentence if she was prosecuted as a juvenile. PETER PEREIRA/STANDARD TIMES VIA AP FILE PHOTO
BOSTON — Massachusetts’ highest court is set to hear arguments in the case of a teenager charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly sending her boyfriend dozens of text messages encouraging him to kill himself.
Michelle Carter is awaiting trial in the 2014 death of Conrad Roy III.
Carter’s lawyers are appealing a juvenile judge’s decision denying their motion to dismiss the charges. The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments on Thursday.
Carter is charged as a youthful offender and could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Prosecutors say Carter urged Roy to “just do it” and told him to get back in his truck when he became frightened that the plan to poison himself with carbon monoxide was working.
Carter’s lawyers say Roy was determined to take his own life.
RELATED STORIES
Spotting depression: Is your child a suicide risk?