BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Conrad's Law has been in the works since 2019. If it passes on Beacon Hill this year, it would make it criminal to coerce someone into suicide.
Andover Democratic State Senator Barry Finegold worked on the bill with the family of Conrad Roy, the 18-year-old from Plainville who committed suicide in 2014. Three years after his death, Roy's girlfriend, then 17-year-old Michelle Carter, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging his suicide over text messages.
If it passes, Conrad's Law would make someone criminally liable up to 5 years in prison if they willingly, knowingly coerced someone they knew had mental health struggles into death by suicide.
"I give Conrad's mother Lynn, and the rest of the family, an amazing amount of credit for taking this tragedy and trying to do some good," Sen. Finegold told WBZ NewsRadio.
Sen. Finegold said Conrad’s Law would allow Massachusetts to join the ranks of the 42 other states in punishing people who induce others who they know to be prone to suicidal thoughts into acting on those impulses.
Although COVID-19 put the brakes on the bill during the last legislative session, Sen. Finegold said he hopes this time around, it will move forward.
If it does become law, Conrad's Law would likely become relevant in the case of Inyoung You of New Jersey, the former Boston College student currently facing manslaughter charges for allegedly encouraging her boyfriend to take his own life in 2019. Earlier this month, Suffolk District Attorney Rachel Rollins' office said You's case will proceed to trial.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jim MacKay reports:
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)