1/23 Update: Michelle Carter is scheduled to be released from prison today, January 23, 2020. She had been incarcerated since last February and was scheduled to serve 15 months. Less than 12 months later, however, Carter will be released early for good behavior, just a week after the Supreme Court refused to hear her appeal against her conviction. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office (opens in new tab) says: "Ms. Carter was a model prisoner here at the Bristol County Correctional Facility. She participated in various programs, worked in the jail, was courteous to our staff and volunteers, got along well with other inmates, and we had no discipline issues with her."

Original Article The HBO documentary "I Love You, Now Die" details the complex series of events leading to the tragic suicide of a teenage boy. Michelle Carter, in what became known as the "text suicide case," was convicted of manslaughter in 2017 in connection with the death of Conrad Roy III, who died by suicide in 2014 (opens in new tab).

CONTENT WARNING: The following article contains a detailed description of an incident involving a death by suicide. This content may be irritating to some readers.

The case was unusual in its implications regarding social media: although Carter was not physically present to influence Roy's decision, her actions via email and phone call were ruled sufficient to incriminate her (in other words, she was far from encouraged Roy to commit suicide would be a crime). The trial was also notable for its unanimity. Carter was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2017 and only began serving her sentence earlier this year as part of her sentence.

Roy died by suicide in July 2014 at the age of 18. Carter encouraged him to kill himself through text messages, even telling friends that he was scared and then told him to get back in his car and continue the suicidal act. This was a complicated case - as revealed in the documentary, Carter was a lonely teenager struggling with mental health, and according to many texts that appeared in HBO's I Love You, Now Die and were submitted as evidence in court, Carter and Roy often had a stressful and unhealthy relationship.

Because Carter did not take the stand in her own defense, the prevailing view of the prosecution and the public was that her actions were cold-hearted and calculated. She was initially sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in 2017, but appealed the sentence and was released while the appeal process took place in Massachusetts state court. The state appeals court upheld the sentence in early February 2019. Thus, on February 11, 2019, Carter was taken into custody (open in new tab) and began serving 15 months of his sentence, which should be released in May 2020.

Carter's attorney, Joseph Cataldo (open in new tab), has stated (open in new tab) that she will appeal the sentence up to the Supreme Court, which may not yet happen by the time she is released. Therefore, if that trial occurs after her release, she may or may not be involved in it and may or may not have to appear in court.

It is not clear at this time whether the Supreme Court will hear the case, but it is also said to be unlikely (open in new tab). Neither Carter nor her parents have commented on the case.

If you are contemplating suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or in need of emotional support, the Lifeline Network is available 24/7 nationwide at 1-800-273-8255.