Author Topic: Myspace Suicide Update (Read 548 times)

Neubob · « **on:** December 03, 2007, 03:11:05 PM »

No laws were broken, according to the Prosecutor.

MSNBC

Next stop will be civil court. 1 shallow-pocketed defendant, and very likely a deep pocketed one. I'm waiting with baited breath to see what sort of torts they'll throw against the wall for Myspace. Chances are we'll see a combination of both very straight forward as well as creative litigation tactics.

SuBWaYCH · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:14:41 PM »

In my opinion, that is the wrong ruling. That person should be in jail.

Regards,
Subway

Neubob · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:16:21 PM »

I agree that it's unfair, but the law is the law. If it's not on the books, they can't apply it in court--and I'm sure they tried. A tough case for the prosecution, no doubt.

john9001 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:21:54 PM »

i certainly hope no one on here becomes so upset they kill themselves.

straffo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:21:55 PM »

Your speaking of jailing the parents or someone else ?

I've not read a lot about this case but we all know internet forums are not good for weak people.

This place (the O'club) is a living demonstration this assertion.

Maverick · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:23:58 PM »

Look for new cyber bullying laws to be produced shortly.

Neubob · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:29:15 PM »

Yeah, sadly, it's *******s like this that tend to give reason for new idiotic laws to be passed. Whenever somebody demonstrates their ability to corrupt a resource, new laws are written, the government swells, and we all lose.

I think that civil court will do a good job on both the parents and myspace. Hopefully, the economic hit that myspace takes is big enough to make their own regulations more stern.

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2007, 04:11:55 PM »

I can understand how this would not fall under existing harassment laws.

I think the first big public "cyber harassment" case is going to be interesting. I don't see how anything posted online would not fall under the right of free speech.

This particular case is different because it involved an adult and a minor and there is conspiracy involved. But the parents admit that their daughter sent harassing emails back in response. The daughter enabled the interaction by accepting the friend invite of the harasser.

ChickenHawk · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2007, 05:14:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Neubob
Hopefully, the economic hit that myspace takes is big enough to make their own regulations more stern.

And just how is myspace at fault here? It is impossible for myspace to police every single conversation that occurs on their site. Both parties were willing participants and either could have left the forum at any time.

Some not so nice things have been said about Voss on this forum. Should HTC be liable if Voss used a sniper rifle on himself?

Neubob · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2007, 06:06:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ChickenHawk
And just how is myspace at fault here? It is impossible for myspace to police every single conversation that occurs on their site. Both parties were willing participants and either could have left the forum at any time.

Some not so nice things have been said about Voss on this forum. Should HTC be liable if Voss used a sniper rifle on himself?

Myspace is probably not at fault, but I am just envisioning how the tort lawyers will spin it. Having only the most superficial experience with tort law, I can imagine a couple theories that the plaintiff's attorneys will use...

It's not about right and wrong, in civil court, it's about what you can show. Given the money that will be at stake, and the lawyers' cut, I wouldn't be surprised if they show that Myspace was the second gunman on the grassy knoll, as well as responsible for the heat-tile failure on the Columbia.

ChickenHawk · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2007, 06:15:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Neubob
Given the money that will be at stake, and the lawyers' cut, I wouldn't be surprised if they show that Myspace was the second gunman on the grassy knoll, as well as responsible for the heat-tile failure on the Columbia.

On that we can agree. They will give it their best shot, but it's a long shot and they won't have a leg to stand on.

Viking · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2007, 06:38:30 PM »

Now isn't this a classic free speech dilemma?

WMLute · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2007, 06:59:44 PM »

This is suddenly reminding me of the 80's when they were trying to blame a kid's death on Rock Metal music.

Granted, that adult who harrassed that kid prob. SHOULD be sued, for whatever that is worth, but I hardly think they are at fault for thid girls suicide.

The blame for THAT rests firmly on the parents shoulders. Their kid obviously needed help, and they didn't provide it. (in all fairness i've payed little to no attention to this, and maybe the kid's parents had 'em in therapy and did try to get her the help she needed.) You can't "cyber bully" someone into suicide. Something has to already be "broke" in that person.

All in all a sad story.

Neubob · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2007, 07:44:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
Now isn't this a classic free speech dilemma?

No, it's not.

Free speech protects one from criminal prosecution. Civil penalties can still be applied. Somebody can badmouth you in public and not go to jail, but if you prove that that badmouthing has cost you something, they'd better be ready to pay up.

If myspace is named in this suit, I'll bet that that's the last you hear of it. They'll settle for a fraction of the damages, make some changes in their protocol and call it a day.

Viking · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2007, 06:51:08 AM »

Neubob, if I tell you to go kill yourself (or go to Hell or something similar), am I then responsible if you actually kill yourself?