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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
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Judge Throws Out Sentence in MySpace Suicide Case

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(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 says his ruling will become final when he issues it in writing.

Drew was convicted in a trial, but the judge says that if she is to be found guilty of illegally accessing computers, anyone who has ever violated the social networking site's terms of service would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Prosecutors had sought the maximum three-year prison sentence and a $300,000 fine.

Lori Drew, right, and her daughter Sarah Drew arrive at federal court, Nov. 26, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Lori Drew, right, and her daughter Sarah Drew arrive at federal court, Nov. 26, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
Lori Drew leaves court after a sentencing hearing May 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Lori Drew leaves court after a sentencing hearing May 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
Lori Drew leaves court after a sentencing hearing May 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Lori Drew leaves court after a sentencing hearing May 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
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26 comments
VIEWING:
 
TerrifiedCitizen
Jul 2, 09 3:04 PM CDT
Law and common sense dictated this was the only sane decision that could be made. People commit suicide for their own reasons; that what the word means. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Jul 2, 09 8:48 PM CDT
Having said that, (and I agree with you) she's still a piece of shit.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 3, 09 12:13 AM CDT
I don't know about that. I mean, it's quite fucked up that this middle-aged bitch verbally tormented some girl into killing herself. But she should be prosecuted for something other than "illegally accessing a computer" or whatever. Like child abuse.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
Laura
Jul 2, 09 3:12 PM CDT
It's clear that prosecutors were looking for anything to charge her with; the charge has nothing to do with the suicide. This whole issue made me uneasy. Sure, it was an evil thing to do, but where do you draw the line? If you tease someone at school one day and they end up killing themselves because of it, does that make you a murderer? I don't think so. Reply
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-6
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 3, 09 12:14 AM CDT
It may not make you a murderer, but bullying isn't legal and should be vigorously prosecuted.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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