The Girl from Plainville (2022) s01e06 Episode Script

1 Previously on "The Girl From Plainville" What do you think dying is like? Just like floating on water.
Your client sent those text messages, Mr.
Cataldo.
It's all right there in the indictment.
A grand jury has indicted Michelle for involuntary manslaughter.
Can you read that for me out loud, please? "Why don't you just drink bleach?" Natalie Gibson and Cassie Wilkins on the witness list, all relevant? Yes, Your Honor.
The lawyer said we can't talk to you.
We'd like you to testify at trial.
What about Co? He'll testify too? Defense would bring up the incident The assault on your son.
I just have all these issues with my body image.
I'm thinking I need to go somewhere to get help.
It's consuming my life.
Lynn, do you believe Michelle Carter murdered your son? - Lynn! - Lynn! What are your hopes for the trial? Can you tell us anything? Jesus.
- You okay? - Yeah.
"Hopes for the trial.
" Who asks something like that? Hey, honey.
You okay? All rise.
Please sit.
Um, before we begin, is there any business either counsel would like to handle before jury selection? - No, Your Honor.
- Yes, Your Honor.
Your Honor, uh, we would like to request a motion for a bench trial.
You're sure, Counselor? Yes, Your Honor.
Miss Carter, could you approach the stand? I'd like to hear this for myself.
Go ahead and raise your right hand.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
You can lower your hand.
Take a seat.
Could you state your full name and age? Michelle Diana Carter, 20.
So you understand, Miss Carter, that you're fully entitled under the Constitution to a jury of your own peers to decide whether or not, in fact, you're guilty of this crime? Yes.
Has anyone promised you anything or threatened you in any way to make you forgo your right to a jury trial? No, Your Honor.
No.
Thank you.
You may step down.
The judge is now going to exclusively decide the case.
What about the jury? She just decided there isn't one.
The prospective jurors are dismissed.
The court thanks you for your time.
Unless there's any other outstanding business to take care of? Okay.
How much does this affect your opening statement? Well, it starts with ladies and gentlemen of the jury, so Did I do okay? Yeah.
Yeah, you did just fine, Michelle.
We will reconvene here tomorrow at 9:00 a.
m.
This is Conrad Henry Roy III.
Conra This is Conrad Henry Roy III Reporting to you live right here from Mattapoisett, Mass.
I'm 5'10", 165 pounds, and I struggle with anxiety almost all the time.
You're set.
Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.
m.
sharp.
After that, you see your therapist, then you spend time outside Monitored, of course.
Lunch is at 1:00.
Dinner at 6:00.
Lights out at 9:00.
Doors stay open always.
You do your own laundry and clean your own room.
Your mother does not live here.
Your phone.
Really? Yes, ma'am.
Protocol.
We give it to your parents on visiting day.
You get it back from them when you go home.
You've been restricting and binging since 2011? No laxatives, no purging, no diet pills.
Excessive exercise? Still taking the Celexa daily? No.
What are you taking now? Nothing.
As each of you draw how you see yourself, tell me how it makes you feel.
" He got scared, and I fucking told him to get back in.
" The defendant's own words, Your Honor 17-year-old Michelle Carter, who, for weeks, badgered and berated her depressed boyfriend, Conrad Roy, 18 years old, into killing himself.
Your Honor, this is not a homicide case.
This is a suicide case on Mr.
Roy's ultimately successful second suicide attempt.
When Conrad tried to take his life the first time, he called a friend and lived to see another day.
When he tried to kill himself the second time, he called the defendant, who ordered him back in the truck and listened as he took his last breath and died.
Conrad Roy's internet searches will prove that he was suicidal, that he wanted to take his own life, and that it was his choice.
She put him in that car that night.
She was 30 miles away.
Her behavior was wanton and reckless, and as a result, Conrad Roy is dead.
Now if somebody wants to support an individual in a suicide, in the state of Massachusetts, that's not a crime.
Your Honor, by the end of this trial We ask That you find Michelle Carter guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
The Commonwealth may call their first witness.
Stop.
It's nice.
We should do the photo.
On the count of three, say Brady.
- Smile.
- One, two, three.
- Brady! - Tommy boy! Ha ha ha.
Let's get outta here.
Here, you can hold onto that? 'Cause you'll never get one.
Uh upp, upp, upp.
So? I was actually I was gonna hold off.
There's no time like the present.
Come on, it's your family.
Everybody, Coco has an announcement that he'd like to make.
Yeah, um I got my captain's license from NMI.
Oh, jeez! Are you shitting me? Captain! - Did you know about this? - Ha ha ha! Of course not.
We love you, Conrad, oh, yes, we do ♪ We love you, Conrad, and we'll be true ♪ When you're not with us, we're blue ♪ Conrad, we love you, hey, hey! ♪ Where'd he go? Why didn't you tell me? I'm didn't want to make a big deal of it in case I failed.
When'd you find out? Couple weeks ago.
Hey, I'm proud of you.
I ain't been this proud since we built this fucking thing, huh? I guess I can retire now, huh? Leave the business in good hands? Yeah.
Yeah, I don't know.
What? You don't know what? I'm not sure I wanna live in Mattapoisett my whole life.
What does that mean? I don't know.
It's just it's just an idea.
Where you gonna go, Coco? - What're you gonna do? - I-I don't know, okay? I'm just I'm figuring it out, okay? Okay.
All right, come on, let's get back inside.
All these people are here for you.
Come on, it's embarrassing, you sitting out here.
Come on.
Good morning.
How you doin'? Morning.
Please wait.
Let's go.
Can you please lift your arms? Do you see Michelle Carter present in the courtroom today? - Yes.
- Could you point to her, identify something that she's wearing? I don't know, it looks like a red shirt or something.
Your Honor, may the record reflect identification of the defendant.
On October 27, 2012, Conrad tried to kill himself by overdosing on a bottle of medication.
He was found in time and treated.
What was his demeanor like when he was at Boston Children's? He was scared.
He said he would never do anything like that again.
He knew he had a lot of family and support, friends, people who loved him.
He was playing sports, going to school.
He even got accepted to Fitchburg State on scholarship, right? Yes, initially, he was very excited.
He went to visit his friend Rob there to check it out.
And that would be June of 2014? Yes, and he had just gotten his captain's license.
I'm going to direct your attention to July 12 of 2014.
That was the last day you saw your son alive.
How was he that day? We went to the beach.
We stopped at Stop and Shop, and he was eating tortilla chips and guacamole.
My son had never had guacamole before.
He really liked it.
And during that time, were you constantly in Conrad's presence? Yes.
What did you talk about? Life, what was gonna happen next.
We made some jokes about some people on the beach wearing little swimsuits.
He was fine.
Yes, he had tried to kill himself before, but I know my son, and he didn't want to die.
Not that day.
Today's your last day with us, Michelle.
We're all sad that you're leaving so soon, but before you go, can you tell us about the images on your vision board? Every image helps me to look to the future and not to get stuck in the past.
I really wanna go to California.
Life seems different there.
That's great, Michelle, but make sure you're focusing on what you can control.
I can't control everything, everyone, but I'll be prepared.
I know my triggers and I'm gonna do better at continuing to identify them.
I try to fix people too much sometimes Everyone, really.
I have to remember to focus on myself for a change.
I found a stray.
Welcome home, sweetie.
It's it's only been a couple weeks.
We didn't know what you'd want, so we made a bunch of different things, but, you know, we can always go out too.
Well, the doctor said maybe it would be best to eat at home first, but we could go out if you want.
I'm okay, guys.
This looks really good, thanks.
Great.
Okay.
So what was it like there? It wasn't that bad actually.
It was kinda like a vacation.
Did they throw you in a padded room? Hayden.
That's what they did to Angelina Jolie.
Okay, we need to get you out more.
It's okay.
My therapist says talking is healing.
I like that movie.
Me too.
Oh, now that you're home You probably want this back.
So what else? I just got all your texts.
You okay? It's fine.
You just disappeared again.
I'm getting used to it.
I got my phone taken away.
I was in the hospital.
For what? You're not dying.
Can you be nice for one second? I actually feel better.
As my boyfriend, you should be happy.
Sure, I'm happy.
I got my captain's license, not that you care.
I'm sorry.
I hate myself.
Don't say that.
It's okay.
I love you.
I hate when you do that.
You just type and then erase things.
Just talk to me.
Or don't.
Whatever.
I wish I could just see myself as the person I wanna be, you know? Not as this person that's just always miserable.
I know that I'm wanted.
I know that I'm Loved.
I hate that I'm shy.
I h I hate that I'm dumb.
And I hate that I'm always worrying and regretting about the past and I'm I'm pessimistic about the future.
You don't have to feel that way.
The hospital worked for me.
You could talk to someone.
Yeah, what's the point? I just feel like I'm never going to be happy because I feel like I'm a failure.
And that that's just a minute's worth of ideas that pop through my head on a regular basis.
There's way, way more.
Are you still there? Yeah.
- It's just a lot to take in.
- I'm sorry.
It's too much.
I shouldn't No, I'm happy you did.
See ya, Kenny.
Here you go.
Where you going? It's 10:00 a.
m.
- Got plans.
- No, you don't.
You did a shit job cleaning those fuel oil tanks.
I need you to do it again.
Texted Bobby.
He said he'd cover me.
He'll finish it up.
You texted Bobby, so where the hell's Bobby? I don't know.
Said he'd be here.
What, so that's it? You're done here? - Sorry.
- Coco! Hey! Fuck.
And what did you do next, sir? I contacted the District Attorney's office.
Things were put in motion to have the phone extracted.
Then I interviewed Miss Carter at King Philip's High School.
And then you got her phone with the password, you spoke to her parents, and then you got her laptop, correct? Yes.
Why? The messages from Michelle Carter to the victim encouraged him to commit suicide.
Once? No, dozens of times.
Thank you.
No further questions.
Mr.
Gordon, did you find anything of any substance on Conrad's laptop? Yes, we found videos.
Can you explain what those videos were about? They were of Conrad, three of 'em.
He was alone making some sort of video diary on his issues Social anxiety, lack of friends, his depression.
He believed he wasn't really normal, I guess, or like everybody else.
Thank you.
Your Honor, no further questions.
You were the officer that took the missing person's report, correct? I was.
Your Honor, I would like to display on the court monitor exhibit six, number five.
Conrad's black F-250 truck.
When you approached it, what did you see? Well, the deceased was wearing sunglasses.
There's a general redness to his skin, typical of carbon monoxide poisoning.
There was blood from a supposed nosebleed.
When do you estimate the time of death for Conrad? The physical evidence indicated that at the end of the second call with Michelle Carter, Roy was still alive.
Hey, I'm gonna head to bed.
Hey, are you okay? Okay, good night.
Night.
I wish she wouldn't go to the trial.
- It's not good for her.
- Well, she's stubborn.
Wonder where she gets that.
Co send you? Everyone's worried about you.
She looks skinnier than I remember.
I can't stop thinking about her.
I don't wanna be thinking about her.
You seen those videos they're talking about? The ones Coco did? I can never bring myself to watch, you know? You did good today.
I don't know what the hell that even means.
"48 Hours" wants to talk to me.
You gonna do it? He's not just a dead kid on the news, you know? He's Coco.
I want people to know to know him how we knew him and who he was.
Well, that's the thing, isn't it? You don't know.
I mean because sometimes people seem like they're getting better, and they tell everyone around them they're getting better.
They seem happy.
They seem good at home.
They get their captain's license.
But you just can't know.
Yeah.
Ha ha ha.
Did you see that shit? Did you see that headshot? Jesus Christ.
Yeah, man, I just sniped him! Yeah, dude, I just sniped him from like 100 yards.
Hey, hey! I'm gonna try no-scope this time.
Fuck it.
What the fuck, man? This is why you come home from work early, huh? Play fucking video games? - Yeah.
- You gotta be kidding me.
Come on.
Clean this shit up now! Get the back off! Ugh Wait wait Go get your stuff.
I'll see you at home.
It wasn't his fault.
- God damn it.
- Lynn - I don't know what happened.
- God damn it.
God damn it, Co! I know.
I know.
- Any comment? - Lynn! We can go.
Would it be fair to say that you and Michelle Carter texted hundreds of times on a sort of day-to-day basis? That sounds right, yeah.
April 23, 2014, 10:05 a.
m.
Can you read the highlighted section, please? "Yeah, I have school friends "that all say they love me, but that doesn't mean shit "when no one ever asks to hang out with me.
"No one ever calls me or texts me.
"It's always me that has to do it.
"I don't even remember the last time someone asked me to hang out with me before you did.
" Can you please describe your relationship with Michelle Carter? It was mostly an in-school friendship, just, like, talking in school and stuff.
I didn't socialize with her or anything.
How often would Miss Carter ask to socialize with you and Natalie outside of school? Probably a few times a week.
During those years, do you remember wanting to hang out with Michelle outside of school? Um, no.
" But I don't know what I was thinking.
"I knew I was just gonna make it all come crashing down.
"I always do.
"I text them too much or try talking to them too much "and they leave Every single one.
"Then I am left crying in bed at night "because I have no one, no friends, "barely any family.
"Like, they don't even like me half the time "and I have no plans, no future.
I am nothing.
" July 10, 2014, 5:23 p.
m.
Can you read that message from Michelle for us? "Thank you so much for coming over "and hanging out with me, Cassie.
"It really made me feel happy.
"You and Natalie are the only people "who actually make me forget "I have issues and stuff for a while.
"And, like, you guys make me feel normal.
"I can't thank you enough for that.
"I hope you want to hang again sometime soon.
I had a good time and hope you did too.
" And did you respond to that? I don't believe I did, no.
"And I'll be honest I cried when you said "you wanted to help me and hang out and stuff.
It just meant so much to me, like I finally found a friend.
" Do you remember anything about that particular sleepover on July 9th that might stick out in your mind? No.
How did she seem, if you can remember? Fine.
Totally fine.
Do you remember the defendant using her cell phone the night you slept over? I don't remember.
And when you didn't respond, you received another text message from Michelle.
Do you mind reading that for me, please? "Conrad's missing.
They can't find him anywhere.
"He's been missing since Wednesday night "when you guys slept over.
He hasn't called or talked to me or anyone since.
" "He's missing, like, they don't know where he is.
" July 12th, 9:24 p.
m.
Can you read that message from Michelle Carter? "He called me and I heard like muffled sounds "and some type of motor running "and it was like that for 20 minutes, and he wouldn't answer.
" "I think he killed himself.
" Can you now read this text from September 16, 2014, two months after Conrad's death? "I fucking told him to get back in.
" The prosecution rests, Your Honor.
- Thanks for meeting me.
- 'Course.
He's just such a dick sometimes.
I try to talk to him, and it's, like It's like we speak different languages.
Maybe you should start living your life for you, not for them.
What do you mean? I don't know.
Your Mom and Dad, they're simple.
I'm surprised you haven't left already.
You're above them.
Don't do that.
- Do what? - Don't talk shit about my family like that.
You don't know them.
No, I wasn't.
I was agreeing with you.
I was saying you deserve better.
You You're just like everybody else.
You just fucking you just talk.
You just say shit that you think I want to hear, but you don't actually listen to anything I say.
Yeah, I do.
I get you.
How? How could you possibly get me? You don't even know me.
Okay, I'm sorry.
Just forget what I said.
Ah.
Let's start over.
Come here.
Come here.
I live in a different world.
Okay? Not like you, not like everybody else.
So when you go to bed at night and you dream about puppies and rainbows, I dream about killing myself Because that is the only way that my pain is gonna end, okay? I know that.
So next time, I'm not gonna screw up.
Next time, I'll be dead and then, maybe then, all of you will just fucking listen.
Maybe I should call your mom.
If you ever tell anyone about me, I will never, ever fucking talk to you again! You got it? Let's go, come on.
I'm taking you home.
God.
Hazel Grace, I hope you realize that you trying to keep your distance from me in no way lessens my affection for you.
All your efforts to keep me from you are gonna fail.
Look Yo, you got me.
Leave a message.
Hey, your text freaked me out.
I hope you're okay.
Call me back.
Yo, you got me.
Leave a message.
Hey, it's me again.
Just text me back.
Yo, you got me.
Leave a message.
This is Conrad Henry Roy III reporting about social anxiety.
Social anxiety, to me, is the inability to function properly in a manner you want to in a social situation.
And one of the things that I realized is that not all eyes are on you at all times.
Just gotta get the cobwebs out.
Turn the gears.
The gears need to be turning.
Turn the gears.
That's what I gotta do, because look at me.
I got nice teeth.
Got a nice smile.
It's pretty nice.
There's a lot of people that love me.
I have a great mom.
A great dad for the most part.
Great parents.
I have all my grandparents, but I'm still depressed.
One of them is gonna pass away.
I don't know when, but when they do, I'm gonna have to be there for my parents, to be there for my mom and dad whenever their parents pass away because I can't imagine my parents passing away.
How I'm gonna feel.
The person that raised you is not present.
And this is what I have to realize.
Like, I am a lot better off than a lot of people.