The text messages between teenagers Michelle Carter and Conrad Henri Roy III tell a bizarre, disturbing story.
Prosecutors say the exchanges show Carter brainstorming with Roy over the best way for him to kill himself, vowing to take care of his grieving family, and urging him to “do it today.”
Roy, 18, of Mattapoisett, was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in his truck in Fairhaven on July 13, 2014.
Carter, of Plainville, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Roy’s death. She is being tried as a youthful offender and has pleaded not guilty.
A judge is considering a defense motion to have the charge against Carter thrown out.
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The text message conversations, which took place between at least July 6 and July 12, 2014, were released in a motion filed by prosecutors on Aug. 21 in New Bedford Juvenile Court. Prosecutors say they are evidence that Carter encouraged her friend to end his life.
Her defense attorney, Joseph P. Cataldo, told the Globe last week that Carter’s text messages are protected by the First Amendment and that, under state law, it is not a crime to encourage another person to commit suicide.
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Here are some of the exchanges between the two that have been disclosed by prosecutors in court documents.
In the first, Carter, who was 17 at the time, encourages Roy to take his own life, saying his family will understand and accept it and will eventually “get over it and move on.”
Carter
Everyone will be sad for a while but they will get over it and move on. They won't be in depression. I won't let that happen. They know how sad you are, and they know that you are doing this to be happy and I think they will understand and accept it. They will always carry you in their hearts.
Roy
Aww. Thank you, Michelle.
At times, Carter expresses frustration at Roy’s wavering, chastising him for not killing himself when he said he would.
Carter
Well...I guess [that I am frustrated], just because you always say you are gonna do it but you don't, but last night I know you really wanted to do it and I'm not mad. Well, I mean kind of, I guess, just because you always say you're gonna do it...but you don't but last night I knew you really wanted to and I'm not mad.
The two teenagers discuss the best way for Roy to die. At one point, Carter questions Roy about his decision to use a portable generator to emit carbon monoxide into his truck.
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Carter
I know. Do they still give off a lot of it though. Did they fix it after that article called them out?
Roy
It emits more than cars.
Carter
Are you positive?
Roy
December 2013, pretty recent.
Carter
You could take that in your truck and take some Benadryls just in case.
Roy
Yeah, I'm gonna fall asleep and peacefully die.
Carter
Yeah, that's the best way.
On the day of his suicide, Roy and Carter exchange a flurry of text messages, starting with a message from Carter at 4:19 a.m. Roy expresses hesitation about killing himself, but Carter continues to pressure him, saying, “It’s time to do it today.”
Roy
Like, why am I so hesitant lately. Like two weeks ago I was willing to try everything and now I'm worse, really bad, and I'm LOL not following through. It's eating me inside.
Carter
You're hesitant because you keeping over thinking it and keep pushing it off. You just need to do it, Conrad. The more you push it off, the more it will eat at you. You're ready and prepared. All you have to do is turn the generator on and you will be free and happy. No more pushing it off. No more waiting.
Roy
You're right.
Carter
If you want it as bad as you say you do it's time to do it today.
Roy then goes for a walk, according to the text message conversation, but he remains concerned about his family. Carter assures him she will take care of them.
Roy
I don't know. I'm freaking out again. I'm over thinking.
Carter
I thought you wanted to do this. This time is right and you're ready. You just need to do it.
Carter
You can't keep living this way. You just need to do it like you did the last time and not think about it and just do it, babe. You can't keep doing this every day.
Roy
I do want to but I'm freaking for my family I guess. I don't know.
Carter
Conrad, I told you I'll take care of them. Everyone will take care of them to make sure they won't be alone and people will help them get through it. We talked about this and they will be okay and accept it. People who commit suicide don't think this much. They just could do it.
Roy goes to the beach and takes his sisters to get ice cream. He promises Carter he will “do it” when he returns.
Here are their final text messages. The last one was sent at 6:25 p.m.
Carter
You just have to do it like you said. Are you gonna do it now?
Roy
I still haven't left yet, ha ha.
Carter
Why?
Roy
Leaving now.
Carter
Okay. You can do this.
Roy
Okay. I'm almost there.
At about the same time, Roy left his mother’s house and drove to the Fairhaven K-Mart parking lot, prosecutors said in the court documents.
At 6:28 p.m., he called Carter and talked to her for 43 minutes. At 7:12 p.m., he called her again. Their phones were connected for 47 minutes, prosecutors said.
He was found dead in his truck the next day.
Catherine Cloutier can be reached at catherine.cloutier@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @cmcloutier.