Michelle Carter Released After Only Serving 11 Months

Michelle Carter, the Massachusetts woman who was sentenced 15 months in prison for persuading her now-dead boyfriend to kill himself, has been released from prison on “good behavior.”

Carter, 23, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for persuading her boyfriend, #ConradHenriRoyIII, to commit suicide back in 2014. On Thursday, four months prior to her release date, she was set free after reportedly earning time off her sentence for good behavior, according to Jonathan Darling, spokesman at the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

“Ms. Carter has been a model inmate here at the Bristol County House of Corrections. She has participated in a variety of programs, held a job inside the jail, has been polite to our staff and volunteers, has gotten along with the other inmates, and we’ve had no discipline issues with her whatsoever,” Darling said.

Video shows Carter leaving the Bristol House of Corrections at around 9:30 a.m.

Carter’s release has shocked the internet, prompting many to call out the justice system for neglecting Roy’s family and failing to see Carter’s insidious, deep-rooted issues. “The justice system failed Conrad Roy and his family. Michelle Carter was released from prison today (4 months early from her joke of a 15-month sentence). Anyone who has followed this case from the beginning knows this sociopath has no place roaming free in society,” one Twitter user wrote.

Roy’s family has also shared their “disgust” with the justice system’s decision. “The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the appeal and her release today brings closure. It’s been a long six years, and we are ready to move on. While we are disappointed that she was not required to serve her full sentence, it doesn’t change that Conrad is forever gone. We will continue to remember and honor him and efforts to raise awareness for suicide prevention,” said Roy’s aunt, Becky Maki, on behalf of the family.

The teen’s father, Conrad Roy Sr. sent a statement to E! News that said, “It sure is a tough day. I’m disgusted with the whole system. You would think that the judge gave her a sentence that was easy enough for her, but to then let her out on good behavior…who is good in jail, has good behavior? It is very difficult. This doesn’t work for me. If you ask me, she is not a good person. The sentence was too lenient; 15 months is nothing to a lifetime with my grandson.”

Roy, 18, took his life in July 2014. According to CNN, investigators discovered text messages from Carter that aggressively encouraged Roy to kill himself despite him sharing his uncertainty. “I thought you wanted to do this. The time is right, and you’re ready, you just need to do it! You can’t keep living this way,” her text messages to Roy read. Roy’s death sparked legal issues regarding whether someone can be convicted for another person’s suicide.