The Girl from Plainville depicts the true story of Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the demise of her boyfriend, but here's what happened to her afterward, whether she served jail time, and where she is today. The limited series, which debuted the first three of its eight episodes on Hulu in March 2022, dramatizes the real events behind the death of Conrad Roy. That includes the trial of Carter, who was accused of coercing Roy into taking his own life.
In July of 2014, Roy took his own life by carbon monoxide poisoning while sitting in his truck in a Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Kmart parking lot. Before the tragic act, the 18-year-old was texting and talking on the phone with Carter, who was 17 years old at the time. Despite loving Roy, she apparently supported his decision to end his life and seemed to even encourage the act in her exchanges with him that morning.
Carter, who is played by Elle Fanning in The Girl from Plainville, was indicted the following year on charges of involuntary manslaughter for her remote participation in Roy's death. She had been a minor at the time of the incident but was labeled as a "youthful offender" in order to be tried as an adult. In addition to that issue, the case brought about scrutiny and debate given its lack of precedent and what it could set forth in terms of free speech.
Did Michelle Carter Go To Jail For Conrad Roy's Death?
Michelle Carter's involuntary manslaughter case finally went to court, without a jury, on June 6, 2017. Ten days later, she was found guilty of assisting in Roy's death and was later sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. She remained free on bail, however, until February of 2019, when the verdict ruling that Carter acted with criminal intent was upheld following an appeal. But her prison sentence was reduced to 15 months. While in jail, Carter continued to plead her case, which the true crime show may or may not cover. She quickly requested a parole hearing for early release but was initially denied. Her lawyers also sought to have the conviction overturned by the United States Supreme Court by arguing that the texts and phone calls encouraging the suicide constituted free speech and were therefore legally permitted and protected under the First Amendment. That appeal was also refused.
Fortunately for Carter, she was eventually released early anyway due to good behavior, serving just over 11 months rather than the full 15. Since leaving prison in January 2020, she has been on probation as part of her original sentence. The terms of Carter's probation include the usual limitations on travel, strict expectations for obeying all laws, and regular visits with her probation officer. Specific conditions for her probation have also required Carter to get mental health counseling and forbade both communications with Roy's family as well as the ability to profit from her crime.
This five-year probation period actually began at the time of her sentencing, not the point at which she was released from jail. Thus, unless something changes, her probation will be completed in August 2022. Afterward, Michelle Carter will be allowed to make money off her story, in case anyone wants to produce another series like The Girl from Plainville and employ her as a consultant.
New episodes of The Girl from Plainville limited series release Tuesdays on Hulu.