Woman who 'sent boyfriend texts goading him into suicide' goes on trial for manslaughter

Michelle Carter, 20, facing manslaughter charges over 2014 death by carbon monoxide poisoning of Conrad Roy III in Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Michelle Carter pictured with her attorneys at Bristol County Juvenile Court in Taunton, Massachusetts, on 29 July 2016 (George Rizer/The Globe/AP)

Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of a Massachusetts woman accused of sending her boyfriend dozens of text messages encouraging him to kill himself.

Michelle Carter is charged with manslaughter in the 2014 death of Conrad Roy III. The 18-year-old was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in his pickup truck in Fairhaven.

Prosecutors released transcripts of text messages the then-17-year-old Carter sent to Roy. In one of the texts, she allegedly wrote: “The time is right and you're ready, you just need to do it!”

Carter's lawyer has argued that the texts are protected free speech. He's also said that Roy was depressed and had previously tried to take his own life.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday in Taunton Juvenile Court.

Associated Press