DA: no conflict for teen accused of urging friend to die
By The Associated Press
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) _ The Bristol district attorney’s office says it has no conflict of interest in the case of a Massachusetts high school student charged with encouraging a friend to kill himself.
Michelle Carter’s defense attorney has requested the case be moved out of Bristol County. He says it’s impossible for the 18-year-old Carter to receive a fair trial because District Attorney Thomas Quinn is the victim’s third cousin.
Assistant District Attorney Owen Murphy filed a response arguing that Quinn has recused himself from any involvement in the case.
Carter was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III last July.
Authorities say the Plainville woman texted with Roy minutes before he killed himself in the parking lot of a Fairhaven store.
Carter’s lawyer says no crime was committed.
(C) The Associated Press 2015
