Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Verdict is in for Lori Drew in the 'MySpace Suicide' Case
()
Lori Drew, left, and her daughter Sarah, arrive at federal court | AP Photo/Nick Ut
Lori Drew was cleared of felony charges today in Los Angeles. However, shehas been convicted of three misdemeanor counts in the "MySpace suicide" case. Drew had plead not guilty to all counts. She now faces up to three years in prison and a $300,000 fine.
It is believed that Drew's invention of a fraudulant MySpace profile used to romance, torment, and finally dump Megan Meier led to the 13-year old girl's subsequent suicide. According to Wired,
Support for LAist comes from
...on Wednesday, jurors found Drew guilty only of three counts of gaining unauthorized access to MySpace for the purpose of obtaining information on Megan Meier — misdemeanors that potentially carry up to a year in prison, but most likely will result in no time in custody. The jury unanimously rejected the three felony computer hacking charges that alleged the unauthorized access was part of a scheme to intentionally inflict emotional distress on Megan.
Drew's attorney H. Dean Stewart announced at a press conference today that he has filed a motion to dismiss. Once Judge George Wu has ruled on that motion, Stewart will decide whether or not to appeal the conviction. Update: A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 29.
According to Associated Press, the jury may have tipped its hand Tuesday. The jury sent a note to the judge late Tuesday asking, "Can we be hung on one count but unanimous on the others?"
In closing arguments Monday, the prosecution stressed the fatal results of Lori Drew's actions -- the suicide of 13-year old Meghan Meier while the defense attempted to keep the jury focused on the counts themselves.
"Lori Drew decided to humiliate a child," O'Brien said in his summation. "The only way she could harm this pretty little girl was with a computer. She chose to use a computer to hurt a little girl and for four weeks she enjoyed it." The defense said the case is a matter of computer law and accused prosecutors of misleading jurors into thinking it was a murder case.
"If you hadn't heard the indictment read to you, you'd think this was a homicide case," said Dean Steward, a defense attorney. "And it's not a homicide case. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a computer case, and that's what you need to decide."
Support for LAist comes from
The White Collar Crime Center hopes the verdict will prove that internet harassment is tantamount to harassment in-person, and that now the laws will be made more stringent.
US Attorney Thomas O'Brien, who prosecuted the case has announced that he is pleased with the verdict and that it "sent a message that "if you are going to . . . go after a little girl, this office as well as other U.S. attorney offices will do anything possible to go after you."
During his press conference, Drew's attorney H. Dean Stewart trash-talked O'Brien and got personal, "He seems to think he's smarter than" the U.S. attorneys in Missouri "who chose not to bring charges against Drew," Steward said. He also stated that O'Brien's decision to bring charges was "to his discredit".
Although she would have preferred that Drew be convicted of a misdemeanor, Megan Meier's mother Tina called the verdicts a victory.
So has Lori Drew learned her lesson? At the press conference today, Stewart stated, "My client was puzzled by the verdict. She feels deep sadness for the fact that Megan took her own life. She doesn't feel vindicated."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist