EOC, Week 2: Megan Meier, 13-year-old Missouri girl hung herself

Megan Meier, 13-year-old Missouri girl hung herself after an internet Romance that was setup by local neighbors. Her death was a result of a harsh breakup with a fake internet boyfriend named Josh. Neighbors setup a MySpace account in order to find out what Megan was saying about their own daughter, but soon turned into a game of emotions. Megan hanged herself after a trail of harassing MySpace messages. The Neighbors after the death of Megan only sent a message saying they feel partially responsible, but not guilty nor feel any remorse. Currently they have not been charged with Megan’s death, and are not guilty of any crime. The question is should they be guilty, and responsible for Megan’s Death? In my opinion I think that they should be responsible, and be penalized for harassing a 13 year old girl. Just because you don’t do the killing yourself, you are capable of implanting such ideas, or damaging them emotionally to cause them to be unstable. Reality is that there are no laws for harassing on MySpace because it is new to society, however harassing does fall within the constitution as illegal. The neighbors did commit libel which (“is the spreading of damaging statements in written form-including pictures, cartoons, and effigies. Defamation on radio, television, and web sites is also considered libel.” Business Law, Anthony L. Liuzzo, Joseph G. Bonnice, pg. 45). I believe that they should also be judged as liable, (“When a person has been judged to be responsible for a loss, he or she is said to be liable.” Business Law, Anthony L. Liuzzo, Joseph G. Bonnice, pg. 45). It is the same to say verbal words and hurt someone as it is to send them an email with written hurtful words. This case should be for Megan in my opinion. Because of a woman’s Negligence, and well though plan to bully Megan she should face the consequences. I hope that because of this case, people understand the importance of the laws that protect individual’s rights, and that just because you think that playing a game is not illegal they better think twice. No one’s emotions should be played with, and that’s what lead to Megan Meier’s Death. Justice shall be served, and recognition of a new crime will hit the streets. Our hearts shall be out to Megan.