Suicide conviction goes too far
Not to jump the gun, but be careful the next time you tell someone to “go jump off a bridge,” “jump in a lake,” or even “drop dead.”
Because if they take you at your word, you could be the one taking the fall, facing charges on everything from reckless endangerment to manslaughter.
Crazy? Yes. But also true.
For years, we have allowed our rights to steadily erode, ceding them to both a powerhungry government and the forces of political correctness.
Many, especially in the Millennial generation, think that doing so improves the quality and security of their lives. But they fail to realize that trying to whitewash all that is “bad” – by banning things, whining about how “offended” they are, and supporting the criminalization of damn near everything – drives a stake through the heart of personal accountability.
That misguided mindset was front-and-center during the recent texting/suicide trial in Massachusetts.
Michelle Carter, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was sentenced to two-and-half years in jail (eligible for probation after 15 months) for telling her 18year old friend, Conrad Roy, via text, that it would be OK if he committed suicide. She faced up to 20 years.
So let’s get this straight: An adult man – who was legally old enough to work, drive, vote, smoke, live on his own, fight for his country, and, in most countries, drink alcohol – nevertheless shouldn’t be held accountable for an action that he, and only he, performed.
Instead, some thought it better to blame Carter for Roy’s demise, even though she wasn’t even with him when he took his life.
Sorry, but that’s plain wrong. Charging her was bad enough, but for a judge to find her guilty of manslaughter is an egregious judicial decision. And it has set a very dangerous precedent.
Was it wrong for Ms. Carter to send messages urging Roy to take his own life – even though that had been his wish for quite some time? Morally, yes. Even if Roy had begged Carter to bestow her “blessing” on his suicide, she should have said “no” and sought more help.
But legally? No way. Hopefully the decision will be overturned on appeal, but in the meantime, Judge Lawrence Moniz, in convicting and sentencing Carter, just sent the unmistakable message that you aren’t responsible for your own actions; others are.
Can’t wait to see how that action-without-consequence decree will be received by the coddled and entitled-to-everything younger generations.
Words should never be criminalized in these situations. Actions should.
Physically helping a person commit suicide is, unquestionably, killing, and would warrant murder or manslaughter charges.
But words are simply words. They may hurt feelings and cause emotional pain, but should never rise to the level of illegality.
Where does it end? If you tell a cash-strapped friend begging for money to go rob a bank – and he does – should you be arrested on conspiracy and robbery charges?
What about the superheated political arguments on social media where opponents tell each other to do unprintable things to themselves, including committing suicide. Should they be charged?
Prosecutor Maryclare Flynn said so: “The defendant’s conduct … ultimately caused the death of Conrad Roy.”
No, Ms. Flynn, it most certainly didn’t. She wasn’t with Roy. She didn’t “make” him do it. She didn’t hook up the hose that pumped in carbon monoxide.
One person, and only one person, did those things.
And it was the same person, who, if he so chose, could have left the truck and saved himself. Tragic as Conrad Roy’s death is, it was Conrad, and only Conrad, who must be held responsible for his passing. Enough is enough. It’s time to exhaust the smoke and mirrors charade we’ve been playing, and get back to the most basic of American values:
Pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps, and taking responsibility for our actions.
Abigail Van Buren said it best: “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
Amen.