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

Probation is no deterrent: prosecutors

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2009 8:50 AM CDT
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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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