Lori Drew Gets Away with Murder

A U.S. District Judge today acquitted cyber bully mom Lori Drew in the MySpace suicide of Megan Meier.

Prosecutors had said Drew masterminded a plot to create a fake profile on MySpace, befriend Meier, then harass her because she didn't get along with Drew's daughter.

A jury threw out some charges, but did convict Drew of three misdemeanors. Drew should have received the full sentence of three years in prison, plus a $300,000 fine during today's sentencing. {Her attorney said the fine was unfair, since she had to relocate because of harsh publicity in the case and had no money. (BOO-HOO)}

However, Judge George Wu threw out the case, saying Drew never read the Terms of service, so she could not know that she violated them. He also said that if convicted, Drew's sentence would mean anyone could be sued for TOS violations.

Out. Rageous.

Drew committed what I believe was an act of cyber bully terrorism that lead to the death of a young girl - a pretty girl that likely Drew's daughter was jealous of. You cannot tell me that Drew had no clue what was happening on MySpace - as her attorneys want you to believe. Know way am I dumb enough to buy that.

The jury wasn't dumb enough to buy that, either, and yet, the judge overturned the will of these 12 people who decided this case. Judge Wu should immediately be removed from the bench. No judge should ever overturn a jury unless there is solid evidence found after conviction that could have changed a trial's outcome. Period.

This act was a KNOWING violation of MySpace's Terms of Service. Sure, people will violate them, but not in such blatantly harassing ways as in the case of Megan Meier. That is a distinction this judge failed to make - one that should be plausible under the law.

Drew's acquittal makes online media open season for bullies like her. It also teaches us that if we don't bother to read the terms and we can get away with murder. It also says that Megan Meier's death - and fragile life - was meaningless.

I'm not saying we need to take away individual business rights when it comes to TOS or other online items; I'm saying we need to be responsive when people like Drew take advantage of the technology to pick on the weak and defenseless.

Read more:

Wired.com

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

L.A. Times

In other cyber bully news, the WSJ writes about a new report that talks about cyber bullying, but how regulation efforts could hurt the net overall"

Cyberbullying Report Opposes Regulations {Wall Street Journal}