Results tagged “loridrew”

Lori Drew Verdict Thrown Out in MySpace Case

A Los Angeles federal judge tentatively threw out a jury's verdicts against a Missouri mother who used MySpace in a hoax directed towards a teenage girl who eventually killed herself. The trial about the out-of-state incident happened in Los Angeles because MySpace servers are located here. Judge H. Wu's decision will become final once it's in writing.

Lori Drew's sentencing for charges related to the precedent-setting MySpace Suicide Case has been scheduled for April 30th in Los Angeles According to Associated Press. Lori Drew, who was not present at the hearing, was convicted November 26 of three counts of accessing computers without authorization. It is believed that the suicide of 13 year-old Megan Meier was a result of Drew setting up a fake profile on MySpace of a boy who romanced and then dumped Meier in 2006.

Lori Drew was cleared of felony charges today in Los Angeles. However, she has been convicted of three misdemeanor counts in the "MySpace suicide" case. Drew had plead not guilty to all counts. She now faces up to three years in prison and a $300,000 fine.

Lori Drew's trial date, which was scheduled for October 7, has been postponed once again. U.S. District Court Judge George Wu decided Tuesday to postpone the trial in order to to consider the defense's motion to dismiss the case.

According to Associated Press, Lori Drew has moved to dismiss her indictment related to the MySpace suicide hoax. "The new defense motions argue the indictment violates constitutional due process, fails to state an offense as required by federal rules of criminal procedure and alleges no crime, but is instead vague."

According to the St Charles Journal, Lori Drew's trial has been postponed from July 29 until Tuesday, October 7. Drew pleaded not guilty on June 16th to charges of internet fraud and conspiracy to inflict emotional distress. Drew also consented to a ban on all internet access or possession of devices with internet access as well as agreeing not to apply form a passport. Charges stem from a MySpace hoax that is believed to have led to the suicide of 13-year old Megan Mieir and has brought national attention to the issue of cyberbullying. Drew is currently free on a $20,000 bond.

Yesterday Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed a bill expanding the definitions of harassment and aggravated stalking. It also upgrades the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony when the victim is a minor and the accused is an adult.

Lori Drew appeared in Los Angeles federal court Monday to respond to charges stemming from the "MySpace suicide" hoax. Drew is accused of setting up a fake MySpace profile that is believed to have contributed to the suicide of 13-year-old Megan Meier. According to the New York Times, the Missouri mother pleaded not guilty to charges of internet fraud and conspiracy to inflict emotional distress. Drew and her attorney declined comment. According to the Associated Press, Drew is currently free on a $20,000 bond.

According to AP, as reported on CNN, Lori Drew was indicted today in the case of the MySpace hoax. Lori Drew and cohorts allegedly set up a fake MySpace profile that romanced and then dumped 13-year old Meghan Meier. These actions are believed to have led to her suicide on October 16, 2006.

On Tuesday, 19 year-old Ashley Grills, who was involved in the Myspace hoax that allegedly led to the October 2006 suicide of Megan Meier, confessed to her participation on Good Morning America.

The law has always struggled to keep up with the fast-paced, ever-changing world of the internet. A federal investigation of fraud involving MySpace could set important legal precedents. The case brings up issues of first ammendment rights versus prosecution of harassment and other cybercrimes, as well as the question of jurisdiction in cyberspace.

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