Massachusetts Suicide / Manslaughter

[Philly]

The thing to keep in mind about the case in question is that we only know even the vaguest details about the very last exchange the two had: when she tells him to get back in the car. Prosecutors obviously released this part to the public because it seems the most shocking and damning. But even if we isolate that and ignore the context of the hundreds of other messages (to me, these would make or break the case for criminal charges) should it really be a crime.

If a buddy of mine texts me saying he's about to swallow a whole bottle of sleeping pills and I write back "do it dickhead", can anyone but the two of us have the insight to know if I'm actually encouraging it or if I think he's just making up bullshit?

And before anyone says that it should always be taken seriously and only a terrible person would even leave open the possibility that it's some kind of sick joke: perhaps, but to wormwood's point, is it appropriate to make all terrible social interactions illegal?

[The Comrade]

not all terrible social interactions lead to someones death

[Philly]

Doesn't address the point.

[The Comrade]

well you're equivocating so it kind of does address the point.

[Philly]

Not at all. Even when you're being shitty to someone else, there are only very limited circumstances in which you should be held legally responsible for their self destructive actions.

Valid situations to me is when you're abusing, intimidating or placing someone under duress, or interfering with their ability to seek help. Ben's example is a very good one. In this case, we don't know all the details, but from what information we have, she just didn't encourage him to seek help and instead let him feed into dark impulses. Terrible friend, not a criminal.

[The Comrade]

and getting someone to kill themselves should be one of those. the slippery slope talk like suddenly we'll be convicting 10 year olds for calling each other jerks is just dumb.

[Philly]

Yeah I never suggested we would be charging 10 year olds for calling each other jerks. I think I've been pretty clear about what should be criminal and why her case doesn't apply given the details we currently have, but you'd rather talk about 10 year olds so whatever.

[The Comrade]

"And before anyone says that it should always be taken seriously and only a terrible person would even leave open the possibility that it's some kind of sick joke: perhaps, but to wormwood's point, is it appropriate to make all terrible social interactions illegal?"


boy don't step to this if you aint about it.

[Philly]

Ah, trolling. I've now stated multiple times what I think should and shouldn't be illegal. Care to address that or do you just want to keep weaving absurd scenarios about 10 year olds going to jail for calling each other dummyheads?

[wormwood]