DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Michelle Carter, the woman at the center of a landmark texting suicide case, was released from prison on Thursday.
Carter, 23, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2014 death of her boyfriend Conrad Roy after she sent Roy text messages urging him to kill himself.
In February 2019, Carter was ordered to serve 15 months at the Bristol County House of Corrections in Dartmouth, but she is set to get out early on good behavior.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said that Carter was a model inmate who participated in education and work programs.
Hodgson said her early release is mandated by state law and must be earned.
"We're not here to punish people. That's been done by judges and juries," he said. "Our job when people come here, and the most important thing we can do for public safety, is to make sure that people have the programs available and then take advantage of them. And she did all of that."
Carter walked out of the prison carrying a small bag and wearing a light gray blazer. Her parents and lawyer picked her up and left in an SUV.
Carter will remain on probation for five years.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports
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