Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

MySpace Bully Not Guilty on Key Felony Charge

Drew convicted on lesser charges of using computer without authorization

Share

(Newser) – A federal jury has rejected felony charges against cyberbully Lori Drew, convicting her instead of accessing a computer without authorization, a misdemeanor, the AP reports. The Missouri mom violated MySpace terms by creating a fake teen-boy profile to harass a neighborhood girl, but was found not guilty of using a computer to inflict emotional distress on 13-year-old Megan Meier, who committed suicide in 2006.

Tina Meier, mother of the 13-year-old harassed teen, was present to hear the verdict.
Tina Meier, mother of the 13-year-old harassed teen, was present to hear the verdict.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Lori Drew, right, and daughter Sarah arrive at federal court to hear the verdict.
Lori Drew, right, and daughter Sarah arrive at federal court to hear the verdict.   (AP Photo)
Drew was found not guilty of the felony charges prosecutors put forth.
Drew was found not guilty of the felony charges prosecutors put forth.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
Nagual
Nov 27, 08 6:54 AM CST
That's utter absurdity, you torment somebody to the point of suicide and simply because of the fact that it didn't happen in person you can no longer be held accountable for your actions? What kind of precedent is this creating for our justice system.. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
iamthereama
Nov 28, 08 12:02 AM CST
I think the courts are going to have a hard time creating a body of common law to address issues created by the Internet.... it may take our criminal/civil courts some time to figure things out. That said- Lori Drew, I hope you rot.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Reader25229471
Nov 28, 08 3:49 PM CST
Hopefully this woman has a shred of decency. Will think of her actions often preferably when she looks at her child. What better justice is there? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
charliedoodle
Dec 1, 08 12:37 PM CST
The internet has once again beat our laws. While Lori didn't get convicted of federal charges; I will guarantee you that people around her won't let her forget what she did. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Shannonals
Dec 3, 08 2:35 PM CST
An injustice has been committed Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

14 Stories

(AP) - A Los Angeles federal judge has tentatively thrown out the convictions of a Missouri mother for her role in a MySpace hoax directed at a 13-year-old neighbor girl who ended up committing suicide. US District Judge George Wu acquitted Lori Drew of misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization. Wu... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • suicide • MySpace • prosecutor • bullying • Missouri • misdemeanor • cyberbullying

Feds Seek
3 Years for 'Cyberbully' in Teen's Suicide

Probation is no deterrent: prosecutors

May 7, 09 8:50 AM CDT
(Newser) - Federal prosecutors are pushing for the maximum 3-year prison sentence for Lori Drew, whose MySpace trickery drove a 13-year-old to kill herself. “Defendant has become the public face of cyberbullying,” prosecutors wrote. “A probationary sentence might embolden others.” But in a presentencing report, probation officers said... More »

MORE ABOUT:
suicide • MySpace • sentencing • Federal Court • cyberbullying • Megan Meier • teen suicide • Lori Drew

(AP) - A Missouri mother involved in a MySpace hoax on a 13-year-old neighbor girl who committed suicide should be placed on probation for 1 year and fined $5,000 for her misdemeanor convictions, probation officials recommended. The recommendation was included in court documents filed yesterday by Lori Drew's attorney, Dean Steward,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
MySpace • trial • court • Lori Drew • Tina Meier

14 Stories


Drew 'had a problem:' prosecutor
New York Times

'Slap-on-the-wrist' verdict in landmark case
Wired

Judge considered acquitting Drew
Wired


Crime & Courts  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
MySpace • federal courts • jury • misdemeanor • cyberbullying • Megan Meier • Lori Drew • harrassment

from our news partners