My angel, flung out of space.

I would like to preface my thoughts on this wonderfully done documentary by saying that I had never heard of this case until seeing a preview for this on HBO. I’ve never been one to watch or read news (primarily because it’s so grim) so it doesn’t come as a complete shock. If you are not yet aware of this case and it’s outcome I suggest watching it before reading any spoilers below. Also I won’t dive into the details of the case so you might find reading my comments confusing if you’re not informed on the particulars.

First off, I would love to comment on how the documentary was edited. I love how it was split into two short films and how each one painted a different picture of the case. In part one I was convinced that Michelle Carter was guilty and psycho and deserved to go to prison. In the second part I was completely slapped in the face with the truth that I let emotions get the best of me and did not wait to hear and judge Michelle based on all the facts. I had jury duty a few weeks ago and I was assigned to a court room that needed to pick a jury for a criminal case. The interviewing and deliberation of prospectful jurors lasted two days. Throughout those two days the lawyers always pressed one question: can you set your emotions aside and judge the defendants merely on the facts? I now see why they were so keen to do so. Another thing that came up a lot in those two days was the phrase “prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” I also now see why that matters immensely.

Second and lastly, I would like to comment on the conviction and sentencing. I believe that the judge made the wrong conviction. The commonwealth failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Michelle Carter was indeed guilty of manslaughter. To me it all comes down to that last moment: Conrad exiting his truck, afraid to die, and then getting back in because Michelle told him to. BUT remember: there is no recording of a phone call where you can hear Michelle telling Conrad to get back in or any records of texts where she might have said so. There is only records of texts to a friend where Michelle admits to telling Conrad to get back in but that too is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt because it was clearly stated how mentally unstable Michelle was and how much of a liar she was too. So who knows if that admission was truth or just another way for her to garner attention and sympathy from friends. I could also go on about how Cornad too was very unstable and how he was emotionally abusive to Michelle and how they were just a potent mix of two deranged people but I won’t.

Lawfully I don’t think it was right that Michelle was found guilty but morally I think she definitely is guilty. But obviously the court is not around to delegate morality and you cannot sentence someone unless found guilty of breaking the law. Some could argue that maybe the judge found her guilty to be able to sentence her to rehabilitation but let’s be honest prisons are not rehabilitation centers. They’re imprisonment facilities that make dirty money for people. I think I could agree with the argument if the judge had sentenced her to two years in a psychiatric hospital because that would rehabilitate Michelle Carter much better and be the best sentence to a guilty verdict secretly based off morality.