Remember Megan Meier? She was the 13-year-old that was bullied so badly that she ended up hanging herself in her closet. What makes it such an unimaginably horrible case to me is that it wasn't just her peers that were doing the cyber bullying - they had a ringleader of sorts: Lori Drew, the mother of a girl Megan's age.
Lori Drew's sentencing is today, but not for the crime of cyber bullying. She was only able to be charged with three counts of computer fraud, and one count of criminal conspiracy, because there were no laws on the books at the time that could hold her responsible for the bullying. She set out to deliberately humiliate a child, and she succeeded beyond her wildest dreams.
Ms. Drew was found guilty of the three lesser charges, and they were reduced to misdemeanors, and the jury deadlocked on the fourth, and most serious charge of criminal conspiracy. Her sentencing is today.
Think, for a moment, back to what it was like when you were 13. It really is a horrible age, at least for girls (I can't speak for boys). Your hormones are raging; you have wild mood swings, up one minute, horribly depressed the next; you are convinced you are ugly and that no one likes you, and I could go on and on and on.
From what I've read, Megan Meier was already having problems with depression, so she was past the normal delicacy of that age, and was fragile. Megan's dad said that Ms. Drew and her mini-mob "drove her to the cliff, and then shoved her off."
The thought of an adult indulging in something so juvenile, and so horrible as to attack a child this way....not only attack, but lead others to do so, is just so repugnant to me. I have no words to describe my feelings towards this woman, a woman I don't even know, but one that I loathe anyway.
To add insult to injury, her defense attorneys are pushing to have the judge not allow Megan's parents to make an impact statement at the sentencing hearing. They say that since the charges are computer fraud, the Meiers aren't really victims.
Unfortunately, Ms. Drew will probably receive no more punishment than a year's probation and a $5,000 fine, although prosecutors are asking for the maximum punishment of three years in prison.
Hold your children close, and work for cyber bullying laws in your state if they are not already on the books.
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Amanda Gulledge
Gianna-FL
SnippytheGrammarDog
Kerry Lauerman
Amy A
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Salon.com
Comments
I have been cyber bullied and it is a terrifying experience that no one who hasn't experienced it can possibly understand.
I feel for
I hope that woman never touches a computer again.
EVER!!
Admitting that I myself have a bunch of kids who -- thank God -- never got into similar tragedy, let me ask for your help.
Not only for your personal help, but also those who posted comments here.
As some of you already know I am trying to help my galactic folks understand the intricacies of life on this friendly planet.
Now, relative to the justice system: Earthlings always tell me that they want…
… clear laws on the books, and
… courts that operate strictly in accordance with those laws.
What shall I report to my faraway audience when from the comments I hear the following:
"Yes, your Honor, we know that there were no laws on the books against bullying.
"Yes, your Honor, we know that -- rightly or wrongly -- the prosecutor could charge and the jury could found guilty Lori Drew ONLY for computer fraud for having misrepresented herself on MySpace.
"But, your Honor -- wink, wink - we all know that we are dealing with a murderer here!
"Please, your Honor, meet out punishment accordingly!"
Am I allowed to report to my Home Galaxy that Earthlings do NOT want their court system operate according to its own rules?
Am I allowed to report that Earthlings wish to overrule judge and jury, and meet out punishment commensurate with what THEY feel the charges should have been?
I stayed longer in your quarters because it was clear to me that the inhabitants here encourage free discussion, so I hope you will not hold my questions against me.
Any response would be much appreciated,
Respectfully yours:
I hope they are able to get a maximum sentance and for her to have to actually serve it.
I want the courts to operate with in the law...but some of the laws are outdated and need to be adjusted to keep up with times and technology. This case is perhaps a "stepping stone" case and could have some effect on starting to get at least one law changed.
I don't want to overrule the judge or the jury. I just think that once again, the laws need to be updated to keep with what is happening in the world and how it has changed since many laws were written.
I hope that answers the questions for your galactic friends...it's the best answer I have right now...for me.