TAUNTON, Mass. — The defense for a Plainville woman accused of encouraging her boyfriend to kill himself through a series of text messages will begin presenting its case Friday.
The defense team asked the judge to dismiss the charges against Michelle Carter, but the judge denied the request Friday morning.
The state claims text messages Carter sent to Conrad Roy encouraging him to take his own life are protected under the first amendment.
A forensic investigator who examined computers owned by Roy testified that the teen searched suicide methods.
Steven Verronneau, a defense witness, said Roy visited a website that explained "Easy, quick and painless ways to commit suicide" and Googled "suicide by cop."
The defense also called a police officer to the stand, who said he found Roy with a swollen and cut face while responding to an assault report. The defense says Roy was depressed, in part, because of family abuse.
Before resting its case on Thursday, the prosecution said Carter pressured Roy in June and July of 2014, with Roy writing in one message, “How was your day?” and Carter responding, “When are you doing it?”
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Cox Media Group
