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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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7

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

Probation is no deterrent: prosecutors

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(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 Drew should serve no more than 6 months, Wired reports.

Prosecutors want to bump that up, saying the Drew’s use of minors warranted harsher punishment. Drew was convicted of misdemeanors last year, but the jury rejected all felony charges. Prosecutors say the judge could and should take those felony charges into account anyway in sentencing her. But the judge could instead throw out the case altogether; he has yet to rule on a defense motion for directed verdict.

Lori Drew, left, and her daughter Sarah, arrive at federal court Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Lori Drew, left, and her daughter Sarah, arrive at federal court Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
This Sept. 4, 2008 file photo shows Lori Drew leave court in Los Angeles.
This Sept. 4, 2008 file photo shows Lori Drew leave court in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
This portrait provided by Tina Meier shows Megan Meier, 13, who committed suicide last October after receiving cruel messages on Myspace in St. Charles, Mo.
This portrait provided by Tina Meier shows Megan Meier, 13, who committed suicide last October after receiving cruel messages on Myspace in St. Charles, Mo.   (AP Photo/Family Handout)
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Sentence above the guideline range is appropriate given that a primary objective of the offenses was to inflict emotional harm and the offenses actually caused substantial psychological harm that resulted in death. - The prosecutors' sentencing filing

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7 comments
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Fondue
May 7, 09 8:59 AM CDT
Does anyone see "bullying" in general as mental and or physical abuse? The effects of bullying can be long lasting. Also, could bullying be seen as "individual terrorism"? Bullies are coercing and overpowering others by intimidation and fear - the definition of terrorize. Reply
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+6
TerrifiedCitizen
May 7, 09 10:54 AM CDT
If using intimidation is altogether criminal, then the majority of politicians in this country should be in jail. And nobody does intimidation better than a prosecuting attorney... drop by an open courtroom sometime and sit in on the proceedings; it is either comedy club entertainment or repulsive. Reply
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
May 7, 09 6:59 PM CDT
' Probation officers said Drew should serve no more than 6 months ' - WTF? How does a 3 year sentence for the murder of someone's 13 year old, someone's child, by this vile 49 year old bafoon, somehow equate to this swine's inexcusable pleasure she derived from her heinous actions? This is the best the best the prosecution can conjure? F'ing Unfathomable! We know child predators / abusers, when incarcerated, don't fare too well with male inmates - wonder if the same applies to female populations? Drew deserves a very long, significant, hardcore portion of her life, tossing salads, in OZ.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
May 9, 09 9:10 PM CDT
It's called more taxes for prisons and prison guards, etc. That's what you meant, right, Newser001?
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0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 7, 09 12:06 PM CDT
I wonder if there really are specific Cyber-Bullying laws on the books? What would have happened if this sadistic behavior was done with letters, or using the time honored small-town tradition of enlisting pathetic malicious gossipers to ruin someone you don't like? Reply
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