The nation was captivated by the story of a Massachusetts woman who texted her boyfriend, encouraging him to kill himself. Now Michelle Carter is a free woman after serving just under one year of her sentence.
Michelle was released early from the Bristol County House of Correction on Thursday due to good behavior. Her parents and her attorney were there to pick up the 23-year-old, who came out with two clear plastic bags holding her belongings. She was reportedly nervous to be released, especially with the media gathered to witness the moment.
Michelle was just 17 years old at the time of the incident in 2014. She texted her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, encouraging him to end his life as he died by suicide. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2017 and sentenced to 15 months in jail and five years of probation, despite facing up to 20 years. The case was subject of an HBO documentary, I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth vs. Michelle Carter.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
Michelle Carter was released from prison on Thursday morning. The 23-year-old served just under one year of her 15-month sentence. She began her sentence in 2019 despite being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2017.
Michelle was surrounded by prison officials as she exited the Bristol County House of Correction. One held two clear plastic bags containing her personal belongings. Her parents and her attorney were there to pick her up.
"I am very pleased she is home," Michelle's attorney told E! News. "Future legal plans will be announced in due course." Michelle was sentenced to five years' probation as well as the jail time she's served.
Michelle was reportedly nervous to leave the correctional facility due to the media presence outside. The sheriff's department public information officer reported she was very thankful to the facility's staff. She also bid her fellow inmates farewell before she left.
Last week, sheriff's office spokesperson Jonathan Darling announced that Michelle was set to be released on good behavior.
"Good behavior means a number of things — inmates can earn up to 10 days every month off their sentence for doing things like attending programs, having a job inside the jail, not fighting with other inmates or staff or not causing any trouble. It's called good behavior," he told E! News.
"Michelle has earned enough time off her sentence to be able to end her sentence on January 23rd," he continued. "She's attended programs, she's had a job, she's been polite to our staff and volunteers and she gets along with the inmates. There have been no disciplinary problems with her whatsoever and she's been a model inmate in here at Bristol County."
During her incarceration, she enjoyed her work assignment in the kitchen. "She was working in the kitchen serving meals," Jonathan explained. "She wasn't involved in the cooking, but she was serving the food."
Conrad Roy's family has released a statement regarding Michelle's release. They spoke to the denial of her appeal by the US Supreme Court. An initial appeal led to Michelle not beginning to serve her sentence until 2019, two years after her conviction.
"The U.S. Supreme Court decision not to hear the appeal and her release today brings closure," Roy's aunt, Becky Maki, told E! News.
"It's been a long six years and we are ready to move on. While we are disappointed that she was not required to serve her full sentence it doesn't change that Conrad is forever gone. We will continue to remember and honor him and efforts to raise awareness for suicide prevention."
A longer statement was provided to NBC News. "News of the Supreme Court denying to hear her case far outshadowed the news of her early release," it reads. "Her time in jail, no matter how long or short, will not change the outcome of a guilty verdict which is thankfully being upheld."
"July 12, 2014, our lives were forever changed, and the world lost a beautiful soul," the statement continues. "Michelle Carter is the reason for that. She was the only person who could have saved him. She didn't."
"In fact, she was on the line with him as he was dying, moaning in pain, gasping for last breaths. Who could do that?" the family statement emotionally wraps up. "She did, and we’ll never really know why."
Conrad's family has worked with state legislators on "Conrad's Law." The proposed bill would make it a crime, punishable by up to five years, for anyone who "intentionally coerces or encourages" a suicide or suicide attempt. They're also working with the White House to bring the law to the federal level.
A case similar to Michelle's has received media attention in Massachusetts. Inyoung You, a 21-year-old South Korean native who is an American citizen and a Boston College student, urged her boyfriend to kill himself over text messages. Alexander Urtula, also a Boston College student, jumped to his death from a parking garage about an hour and a half before his graduation ceremony.
