Woman pleads not guilty in Internet suicide case

Lawyer Blogs

A Missouri woman pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles federal court Monday to charges in an Internet hoax blamed for a 13-year-old girl's suicide. Lori Drew, 49, stood quietly beside her attorney Monday. She pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and accessing protected computers without authorization to get information used to inflict emotional distress. She is free on $20,000 bond.

The proceeding lasted only a few minutes. Drew and her lawyer declined to comment to reporters waiting outside the courtroom.

Drew, of suburban St. Louis, Mo., is accused of helping to create a MySpace account that appeared to belong to a 16-year-old boy named Josh Evans. The boy did not exist.

Drew's daughter had been a friend of 13-year-old neighbor Megan Meier and the fake account was used to send cruel messages to the girl, including one stating the world would be better off without her. Megan hanged herself in 2006.

Drew has denied creating the account or sending messages to Meier.

The charges were filed in California where MySpace is based. MySpace is a subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Fox Interactive Media Inc., which is owned by News Corp.

Drew's case was assigned to U.S. District Court Judge George Wu and her trial scheduled for July 29. A status conference was scheduled for June 26. U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek said Drew would be allowed to return home pending trial.

Each of the four counts against Drew carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Related listings

  • Court to rule in lawsuit vs. FBI head, ex-AG

    Court to rule in lawsuit vs. FBI head, ex-AG

    Lawyer Blogs 06/16/2008

    The Supreme Court says it will decide whether former Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller (Mul'-er) must face a lawsuit that claims prisoners detained after Sept. 11 were subject to ethnic and religious discrimination.The la...

  • Top court eases rules for foreigners to try to stay in US

    Top court eases rules for foreigners to try to stay in US

    Lawyer Blogs 06/16/2008

    The Supreme Court has made it easier for some foreigners who overstay their visas to seek to remain in the United States legally.The court ruled 5-4 Monday that someone who is here illegally may withdraw his voluntarily agreement to depart and contin...

  • Supreme Court rejects limits on FOIA lawsuits

    Supreme Court rejects limits on FOIA lawsuits

    Lawyer Blogs 06/13/2008

    The Supreme Court has rejected limits on Freedom of Information Act lawsuits that seek the same information as earlier legal actions.In a unanimous ruling, the justices said Thursday a lower court was wrong to conclude that a vintage airplane buff co...

New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read