--- title: Michelle Carter Found Guilty in Texting Suicide Trial description: A Massachusetts woman who was accused of goading her teenage boyfriend to kill himself was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday. canonical: https://time.com/4821583/michelle-carter-guilty-texting-suicide/ author: Melissa Chan article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-06-16T15:24:58.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:07:55.149Z article:section: U.S. og:title: Woman Who Urged Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter og:description: Michelle Carter, 20, had goaded her boyfriend in text messages og:url: https://time.com/4821583/michelle-carter-guilty-texting-suicide/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe37dc055b933b93/6988d225656a3f6fcfbd0764/michelle-carter-texting-suicide-trial1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1335 og:image:height: 751 og:image:alt: Texting Suicide og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Woman Who Urged Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter twitter:description: Michelle Carter, 20, had goaded her boyfriend in text messages twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe37dc055b933b93/6988d225656a3f6fcfbd0764/michelle-carter-texting-suicide-trial1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 00:38 video:published: 2017-06-16 section: video topics: criminal court verdict, involuntary manslaughter, youthful offender finding, guilty verdict, court proceedings, Massachusetts court case genre: news, court proceeding tones: formal, solemn, neutral emotions: seriousness (high), tension (medium), sadness (low) sentiment: negative audience: general news readers, legal observers, people following criminal cases, citizens interested in the justice system people: Miss Carter, Conrad Roy III organizations: Commonwealth content_suitability: death [00:04-00:24]; crime [00:04-00:38] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # Woman Who Urged Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=2db0617d-eb63-4621-91ad-dfb2f11c4fd2&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Woman Who Urged Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter [Watch (HLS stream): Woman Who Urged Her Boyfriend to Kill Himself Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/dQor5Aj3.m3u8) (0:38)  _Published 2017-06-16. A 20-year-old Massachusetts woman who was accused of goading her teenage boyfriend to kill himself was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday_ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary A court clerk reads the verdict in a case against a young woman accused in connection with the death of Conrad Roy III. The judge finds her guilty of involuntary manslaughter and finds that she is a youthful offender. The verdict is recorded in writing, and the woman is then told she may be seated. ## Key points - The court finds the defendant guilty on the indictment charging involuntary manslaughter of Conrad Roy III. (00:04) - The court finds the Commonwealth has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is a youthful offender. (00:17) - The court reviewed the evidence and applied the law before reaching its verdict. (00:04) - The defendant is directed to stand while the verdict is read. (00:00) - The verdict has been recorded and is also in writing. (00:34) - The defendant is then told she may be seated after the verdict is announced. (00:29) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:17] Guilty verdict on involuntary manslaughter charge. The court instructs the defendant to stand and announces a guilty finding on the involuntary manslaughter indictment concerning Conrad Roy III. - [00:17 to 00:38] Youthful offender finding and recorded verdict. The court finds the defendant a youthful offender, tells her she may be seated, and confirms the verdict is recorded in writing. ## Key quotes - [00:00] court: "Miss Carter please stand." - [00:04] court: "finds you guilty on the indictment charging you with the involuntary manslaughter of the person Conrad Roy the third." - [00:17] court: "the Commonwealth has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you are a youthful offender." - [00:34] court: "That verdict is now recorded and it is in writing as well." ## Questions this video answers - What verdict did the court reach on the involuntary manslaughter charge? [00:04] - Whose death is the involuntary manslaughter charge concerning? [00:14] - Did the Commonwealth prove that the defendant is a youthful offender? [00:17] - What is the status of the verdict after it was announced? [00:34] - What is the defendant instructed to do after the verdict is read? [00:29] ## Content suitability - death [00:04-00:24]: The verdict concerns involuntary manslaughter of a named individual, Conrad Roy III. - crime [00:04-00:38]: A criminal conviction for involuntary manslaughter is announced in court.  by [Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)  ## Melissa Chan Jun 16, 2017 3:24 PM UTC A 20-year-old Massachusetts woman who was accused of goading her teenage boyfriend to kill himself was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday  by [Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)  ## Melissa Chan Jun 16, 2017 3:24 PM UTC A 20-year-old Massachusetts woman who was [accused of goading her teenage boyfriend to kill himself](http://time.com/4809018/teen-texting-suicide-trial-michelle-carter/) was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday. [Michelle Carter](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US%5FTEXTING%5FSUICIDE%5FMAOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT) broke down in tears and hid her face with her hands in a packed courtroom, shortly before Judge Lawrence Moniz announced his verdict. Prosecutors had said Carter encouraged her 18-year-old boyfriend Conrad Roy III, through several text messages, to commit suicide — even telling him at one point to stay inside his running pickup truck as it filled with carbon monoxide in July 2014\. Carter, who was 17 at the time, did so to elicit attention and sympathy as a “[grieving girlfriend,](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-accused-coercing-boyfriend-kill-himself-sent-texts-grieving-mother-n768866)” prosecutors said. Carter’s defense attorney Joseph Cataldo had argued that Roy was depressed after his parents split and “was on this path to take his own life for years.” Carter was tried by a judge rather than by a jury in her juvenile court trial, which began last Tuesday. She faces up to 20 years in prison when she’s sentenced later this year and was released on bail until then. ## Transcript [00:00] Miss Carter please stand. This [00:04] court, having reviewed the evidence and [00:08] applying the law there to now finds you guilty [00:14] on the indictment charging you with the involuntary [00:17] manslaughter of the person Conrad Roy the third. This [00:22] court further finds that the Commonwealth has proven [00:25] beyond a reasonable doubt that you are a youthful [00:29] offender. And you are a judge show at this time. You [00:34] may be seated. 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