Official Off Topic Discussion Thread #1

[MrsE88]

Hello; So let me get this straight. If she had only texted him to off himself once you would be OK with that. It is just the repeated texts that cross the line?

No, I would not. But for those making the argument that it could open the door to people being convicted of crimes just for saying “go kill yourself” this case is different. It isn’t as simple as that. And the court agreed.
Was the punishment right for what she did? I’m in no position to say. But morally I do think she has some accountability for her part.

Of course words are words. Words can’t kill you physically. He ultimately took his own life. Would he have done it if she hadn’t been so relentless? We will never know.
But I think we can all agree that if she hadn’t gone out of her way to pressure him, she would not be where she is now. It was a choice she made.

 

[jaws7777]

The difference here is that it wasn’t one, two, three, or even just four text saying go kill yourself. Or words to that effect. It was numerous calls and texts cutting him down and pressuring him to finally just do it. And it was over a period of time that she did this. Not just once because she was having a bad day.
So I believe that is where the line is drawn. It wasn’t a one time bad decision. It was multiple, calculated, and relentless messages.

Oh dont get me wrong i think shes a horrible person. But i honestly dont see how they got a conviction of manslaughter. By definition her crime doesnt fit. Manslaughter is causing the death of someone without the intent to specifically harm the other person or cause malice or something like that. She clearly intended to do harm but harmful words arent a criminal act, at least not on the terms of bodily harm. The problem is she intended to do harm with her words no way they would get a murder charge to stick opting for manslaughter. People have gotten away with manslaughter and have done far worse

 

[skjl47]

No, I would not. But for those making the argument that it could open the door to people being convicted of crimes just for saying “go kill yourself” this case is different. It isn’t as simple as that. And the court agreed.
Was the punishment right for what she did? I’m in no position to say. But morally I do think she has some accountability for her part.

Of course words are words. Words can’t kill you physically. He ultimately took his own life. Would he have done it if she hadn’t been so relentless? We will never know.
But I think we can all agree that if she hadn’t gone out of her way to pressure him, she would not be where she is now. It was a choice she made.

Hello; Afraid I do not follow this other than you do not like what she did so you are pleased she is being punished even if it goes against past long established legal norms. Like you say "words are words" "Words can't kill you physically" but you seem to want her to be in jail for using just words. I understand your words but they do not make sense to me.

 

[MrsE88]

Oh dont get me wrong i think shes a horrible person. But i honestly dont see how they got a conviction of manslaughter. By definition her crime doesnt fit. Manslaughter is causing the death of someone without the intent to specifically harm the other person or cause malice or something like that. She clearly intended to do harm but harmful words arent a criminal act, at least not on the terms of bodily harm. The problem is she intended to do harm with her words no way they would get a murder charge to stick opting for manslaughter. People have gotten away with manslaughter and have done far worse

I can’t remember specifically how court played out, it’s been a while. I’m sure this was one of those nightmare cases no one wants because it’s so difficult.

Hello; Afraid I do not follow this other than you do not like what she did so you are pleased she is being punished even if it goes against past long established legal norms. Like you say "words are words" "Words can't kill you physically" but you seem to want her to be in jail for using just words. I understand your words but they do not make sense to me.

I’m sorry if I’m being confusing. I don’t always do well at explaining my point of view.
And I’m not trying to start an argument or ruffle feathers so to speak. Just saying she was convicted because this was more then her getting time over sending a text. It was more then that.

 

[jaws7777]

I can’t remember specifically how court played out, it’s been a while. I’m sure this was one of those nightmare cases no one wants because it’s so difficult.



I’m sorry if I’m being confusing. I don’t always do well at explaining my point of view.
And I’m not trying to start an argument or ruffle feathers so to speak. Just saying she was convicted because this was more then her getting time over sending a text. It was more then that.

I would guess that the prosecution was able to prove that she knew her words would cause this but still even though its a horrible act it makes me uncomfortable that the law in this case entered such a gray area.
Manslaughter in its purist = im driving a car someone cuts me off
I go into a rage and while trying to chase this person down i cause someone else to get into an accident resulting in that person death.
My actions caused it.

 

[skjl47]

I’m sorry if I’m being confusing. I don’t always do well at explaining my point of view.
And I’m not trying to start an argument or ruffle feathers so to speak. Just saying she was convicted because this was more then her getting time over sending a text. It was more then that.

Hello; I think I get it after some reflection. You dislike what she did so much that you want her to be punished even if there has be a distortion of the justice system. Even if it was not technically a crime in a traditional sense she needs to be punished just because she is abhorrent.
From what I have read the judge felt pretty much the same way.

 

[Kittiee Katt]

I don't really have too much of an opinion on her punishment, I do have a question though. These two kids were supposedly friends right? What "friend" encourages you to harm let alone kill yourself.

If someone comes to you whether they're your friend, family, neighbour or what have you and tells you they want to harm themselves you help them. Ring a hospital, their parents, do something, don't encourage them to do it.
Even if they're an attention seeker who says they're going to three times a week just for the attention you don't tell them to do it. If you're not going to help then ignore it.
I dunno, I don't understand how you can tell someone to harm themselves in that way.


I'm almost certain that doesn't read the way I want it to but oh well, rolling with it.

 

[MrsE88]

I would guess that the prosecution was able to prove that she knew her words would cause this but still even though its a horrible act it makes me uncomfortable that the law in this case entered such a gray area.
Manslaughter in its purist = im driving a car someone cuts me off
I go into a rage and while trying to chase this person down i cause someone else to get into an accident resulting in that person death.
My actions caused it.

I agree. It is a gray area, and a reason that new laws need to be made as technologically advances. People find new ways to hurt others.

Hello; I think I get it after some reflection. You dislike what she did so much that you want her to be punished even if there has be a distortion of the justice system. Even if it was not technically a crime in a traditional sense she needs to be punished just because she is abhorrent.
From what I have read the judge felt pretty much the same way.

I think that’s a pretty good way to sum it up. Yes.

 

[FMA4ME]

Wow. I'm really on the fence here. Great points. I understand they were just words, she wasn't there, definitely a slippery slope. But I do think she should be held accountable to some degree. I feel that way because imo this suicide may have been prevented. The guy called her as he was doing it. To me, him calling probably meant he wanted help. I think about how it would be to be so down, reaching out one more time, only to be told you ain't ish, kill yourself. I mean the guy got out of his truck filled with exhaust, only to be talked back in by his "friend?" We've brought up, well should I be held accountable if I tell my friend to kill themselves, and they do? Imo for it to be the same thing, the friend would have to immediately pull out a gun and hold it to their head. Now it's serious. The seriousness of I'm killing myself right now is the difference. I can't say what kind of criminal charges I think she's guilty of though.

 

[jaws7777]

Either way it sucks someone lost their son over something that could have been prevented. Not being judgmental but where were they in all of this ? The kid obviously had issues. Do you guys know what their story is ?