Imyoung You is on trial in Massachusetts for involuntary manslaughter, a crime that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Ms. You sent her boyfriend (?) text messages urging him to kill himself. She and the boyfriend were students at Boston College, and they were in an 18-month relationship. Evidently it was not a particularly healthy relationship.
Note that she did not provide him with opiods, a pistol, a rope, or any other means of committing suicide. She did not threaten his family, coerce him or assist him. She sent text messages. Why didn’t he close his account? Why didn’t he text back an insulting message? Why didn’t he find another girlfriend?
I don’t see how the government can charge someone with manslaughter for sending text messages. And yet, that is what Massachusetts is doing.
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