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‘You just need to do it!’: Woman charged with manslaughter after allegedly encouraging boyfriend to kill himself via text message

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Michelle Carter has waived her right to a jury trial.

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) — The Massachusetts woman charged with manslaughter for sending her boyfriend text messages encouraging him to kill himself has waived her right to a jury trial.

Michelle Carter’s decision Monday means a judge will hear the testimony and issue the verdict. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday.

FILE– In this July 29, 2016, file photo Michelle Carter stands with her attorneys at the Bristol County Juvenile Court in Taunton, Mass. Jury selection is set to begin Monday, June 5, 2017, in the trial of Carter who is accused of sending her boyfriend dozens of text messages encouraging him to kill himself. (George Rizer/The Globe via AP, Pool, File)

The 20-year-old Carter is charged in the 2014 death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy III. Roy was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in his pickup truck.

Prosecutors released transcripts of text messages the then-17-year-old Carter sent to Roy. In one, she allegedly wrote: “The time is right and you’re ready, you just need to do it!”

Carter’s lawyer has said the texts are protected free speech. He’s also said Roy was depressed and previously tried to take his own life.

[Featured Image: Attorney Joseph Cataldo talks to his client, Michelle Carter, before meeting at a side bar at the beginning of the court session at Taunton Juvenile Court in Taunton, Mass., on Monday, June 5, 2017.  Carter is charged with manslaughter for sending her boyfriend text messages encouraging him to kill himself. (Faith Ninivaggi/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)]