♪ this is "nightline." >> tonight -- >> oh, wow! >> oscar ban. >> wow! >> will smith is punished for slapping comedian chris rock during the academy awards. plus, can words kill? a troubled massachusetts teen dies by suicide. his girlfriend accused of pushing him to it. >> in the last week of conrad's life, michelle texted him asking him when he was going to kill himself more than 40 times. >> new details about the crime that captivated the nation. but were the words a deadly weapon? >> this is not a homicide. and supreme celebration. >> we've made it.

>> judge ketanji brown jackson reflects on her historic confirmation and thanking the many who helped her get there. >> in my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the supreme court of the united states.

♪

thanks for joining us, i'm stephanie ramos. tonight, a horrific tale of young love gone wrong. the weapon, text messages. can words actually kill? first, the academy of motion pictures punishes actor will smith. >> oh, wow! >> that 10-second walk to the stage to slap chris rock leading to a 10-year ban from the oscars ceremony, or any other academy events. >> that was -- the greatest night in the history of television. >> smith is allowed to keep the best actor oscar he won this year for his role in "king richard." the actor resigned from the academy a week ago, saying in a statement, i accept and respect the academy's decision. he's still eligible to be nominated during the ban, but he can't show up to accept any award he might win. and he won't be a presenter at next year's ceremony, as is the tradition for the best actor winner.

we turn to our next story. two troubled massachusetts teens who form an intense bond, but it ends in tragedy. prosecutors say michelle carter, 1 loving and supportive, pushed conrad roy to suicide in a series of text messages. >> from the moment michelle carter was indicted in 2015, this case has been a lightning rod. >> we're going to turn to a pretty shocking story, a massachusetts teenager facing charges of manslaughter after tauptding her boyfriend to commit suicide. >> you just need to do it, conrad. >> prosecutors say she had been pressuring him to do it via text message, and was even talking on the phone with him when he ended his life. >> all you have to do is turn the generator on and you'll be free and happy. no more pushing it off, no more waiting. >> i don't think that she helped him kill himself, i think she

forced him to kill himself. ♪ >> conrad roy was a high school athletes who lived in mattapoisett. a small town of about 6,000 people on the coast. >> everyone has described him as being a well rounded kid. someone who had a lot of friends. someone who was very active with his family. >> 50 miles north about an hour away, lived a young girl, 17-year-old michelle carter. she lived in plainville, massachusetts. >> michelle's got a big smile on her face in her yearbook photos. looks to be the picture of happiness. >> michelle and conrad actually meet by chance. both of their families were on

vacation in the same place. >> in a true new age relationship, the majority of conrad and michelle's communication was online. >> if you're on a seafood diet, doesn't mean you just "see food" and eat it, right? i'm a genius. >> ha ha, very clever. see, i told you you were smart. >> they were intimate with each other over text message because they talked so much about their personal feelings. were they a traditional boyfriend and girlfriend? it's hard to say. >> turns out there was something darker in their texts to each other. something nobody else saw. >> no one truly knows what's going on with me. no one. i feel trapped in my own quskin and nothing will work for me. if you only knew what i go through, you would be amazed how i'm still alive. >> hi, this is conrad henry roy iii reporting to you about what's going on through my mind, what's going on through my head

the last few days. >> conrad roy is busy making a video diary, a diary his family knows nothing about. >> if i keep talking, it's going to get better. i've created a monster out of myself. the past few years. because of my depression. erasing thoughts. suicidal thoughts. >> he attempted suicide in 2012 by swallowing tylenol. this was right after he had actually gotten out of an inpatient mental health treatment program for severe depression. >> within his family, when he did have issues, he got help for it. and he was helped through it, and he got through it, and he came out on the other side every single time. >> he tells her pretty definitively early on that he wants to die. and that he's going to do it. >> i want to die. >> i know you want to, and you

research it and everything, but are you actually really going to do it? >> yeah, if i can find a way to 100% work. >> he was looking up things like sigh side, death by cops, easy ways to find poison. >> conrad even sends michelle images of a rifle and a noose, and she's trying to talk him out of it. >> conrad, stop, you're not going to do it, i know you won't, i don't want you to. >> no, i actually am. >> you have so much to live for, please don't. >> michelle carter also had her own struggles. she suffered from depression. and she had an eating disorder. was hospitalized, even. >> she used to cut herself when she was depressed. >> i'm just having a hard time with food again and losing weight, and it makes me really upset. >> i wish you had my problem and i had yours. because we both wouldn't have a roblem. i'm never going to be better. i have to accept that. >> you're in a dark tunnel. it's not going to last forever.

you'll find the light someday. >> the entire text relationship for the majority of that two-plus years, she's trying to convince him to get help, to go into treatment, to do different things, to be outgoing, to meet more friends. >> and then in the summer of 2014, it's about two years into their relationship. michelle's texts suddenly change completely. in a way that's unimaginable. >> if you really want to die, you'll make this work tonight. carbon monoxide poisoning is the best option. if you fall asleep in your car while it's running in a garage, it will kill you. and there's no pain. >> these messages are beyond dark. they're beyond disturbing. >> she actually begins to almost agree with him, like okay, so you want to kill yourself? when are you going to do it? how are you going to do it? >> you're really going to do this? >> yeah. >> okay, there's no turning back now. >> in the last week of conrad's

life, michelle texted him, asking him when he was going to kill himself, more than 40 times. >> this isn't just a general conversation about how conrad can take his life, no. michelle is helping him with the details. >> portable generator. that's it. >> do you have one of those? >> there's one at work. i was thinking of turning it on in my truck and passing out asleep. you're a genius. >> he gets a gas generator, but it malfunctions or breaks down. >> she was really in a very practical way helping him work through any problem he saw with this plan. >> omg, go to sears, they sell them, they can help. >> instead of going to sears, he goes to a relative's house and takes a gas-powered water pump. >> like, why am i so hesitant lately? >> you're so hesitant because you keep overthinking it and

pushing it off. you just need to do it, conrad. it's time to do it today. >> that evening, conrad seems to be procrastinating. and michelle appears to be pushing. >> are you going to do it now? >> leaving now. >> okay. you can do this. >> five minutes later, conrad fires off another text. >> okay. i'm almost there. >> that last text message is before he drives to the k-mart parking lot where he turns the water pump on in the cabin of his truck. then he's gone. >> in the morning, his truck wasn't there. i panicked. i was really concerned that something happened to him.

>> 18 to all cars in the station, be ready to copy a bolo. this is for a missing 18-year-old boy. it's going to be stop and check the welfare. the male is going to be a conrad roy. >> police find conrad's truck and the water pump. they determine he killed himself using carbon monoxide. >> all the signs were that this was a suicide. >> but once police realize that he's provided the codes to access his phone, they find these text messages. >> hang yourself, jump off a building, stab yourself, idk, there's a lot of ways. i don't get why you don't just overdose again. when are you going to do it? is it going to be soon? are you going to do it tonight? what time are you going to do it? waste stay up past 12:00, remember. >> conrad's phone also shows he and michelle have two phone calls, each lasting more than 40

minutes. >> so they don't know what was said, but they know he was talking to her. and he's talking to her right up until he passes. >> so two detectives from fairhaven contacted me and said, we're going to send over a brief snippet of these text messages, we want you to look at them. i could not believe what i was reading. and that's the first we heard of michelle carter. that's the first time the name ever came up. >> investigators want to talk to michelle, so they pay her a visit at school two months after conrad's death. >> we have a search warrant for your phone, okay? so we'll be taking it. >> wait, so you're taking my phone? >> yes. >> when law enforcement takes michelle's phone, they already know the messages between conrad and michelle. the interesting part is the conversations between michelle and her friends about conrad's

death. >> sam, his death is my fault. like honestly, i could have stopped him. i was on the phone with him, and he got out of the car because it was working, and he got scared. and i [ bleep ] told him to get back in. >> she appears to be admitting that, yes, i'm responsible. he wasn't necessarily going to do it, and i convinced him to do it. >> he was having second thoughts, and she told him to return to the truck as it filled with deadly carbon monoxide. >> i couldn't have him live the way he was living anymore. i couldn't do it. i wouldn't let him. i could have stopped him, but i [ bleep ] didn't. >> six months after conrad dies, a grand jury indicts michelle carter for the crime of involuntary manslaughter. >> the story seems to have caught everybody's attention, and michelle carter is now an

object of revulsion and fascination. >> she absolutely knew it was wrong, and she absolutely caused the death of this 18-year-old boy. >> this is not a homicide. michelle carter did not kill conrad roy. >> these messages are horrific and morally reprehensible. but is it a crime? wondering if the covid vaccine is right for your child? if you can trust it? well, i represent over 100,000 family doctors. i represent over 4.3 million registered nurses. nearly 67,000 pediatricians. and we all agree on this... you can trust the covid vaccine for yourself, or your kids, or your grandkids. i do. i do. i do. i mean it from the heart i don't just play someone brainy on tv - i'm an actual neuroscientist. and i love the science behind neuriva plus. unlike ordinary memory supplements, neuriva plus fuels six key indicators of brain performance.

more brain performance? yes, please! neuriva. think bigger. with age comes more... get more with neutrogena® retinol pro plus. a powerful .5% retinol that's also gentle on skin. for wrinkle results in one week. neutrogena®. for people with skin. my a1c stayed here, neutrogena®. it needed to be here. ruby's a1c is down with rybelsus®. my a1c wasn't at goal, now i'm down with rybelsus®. mom's a1c is down with rybelsus®. (♪ ♪) in a clinical study, once-daily rybelsus® significantly lowered a1c better than a leading branded pill. rybelsus® isn't for people with type 1 diabetes. don't take rybelsus® if you or your family ever had medullary thyroid cancer, or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if allergic to it. stop rybelsus® and get medical help right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, or an allergic reaction.

serious side effects may include pancreatitis. tell your provider about vision problems or changes. taking rybelsus® with a sulfonylurea or insulin increases low blood sugar risk. side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may worsen kidney problems. need to get your a1c down? (♪ ♪) ask your healthcare provider about rybelsus® today. i'm 53, but in my mind i'm still 35. that's why i take osteo bi-flex, to keep me moving the way i was made to. it nourishes and strengthens my joints for the long term. osteo bi-flex. available at your local retailer and club. are you looking to renovate your kitchen or bathroom? i'm mike holmes here with ivan from agm renovations thanks mike! too often, homeowners hire the wrong contractor.

ivan, i see this all the time. delays, shortcuts, hidden fees - nightmares. at agm we use the top trades, and each project is finished on time, on budget, backed by a five year warranty. that's why agm are the only kitchen and bathroom renovation specialists i recommend. ♪ agmrenovations.com ♪ [announcer] call now and get $3,000 off! everyone's a multitasker these days. and with supersonic wifi from xfinity, ♪ agmrenovations.com ♪ your internet can multitask too. it's got gig speeds to the most homes... advanced security that blocks billions of cyber threats and enough power for a house full of devices. plus when you get xfinity internet and mobile together, you can save hundreds off your wireless bill compared to t-mobile. (phone rings) it's for you. learn more about gig-speed wifi or get started with xfinity internet for $19.99 a month for 12 months. click, call, or visit a store today. ♪ ♪ ♪ from the mountains to the coast, ♪ ♪ el estado with the most. ♪ ♪ we do tacos from the city to every little town. ♪

♪ best bites. best vibes. ♪ ♪ california, hands down. ♪ ♪ go on and check my drip. ♪ ♪ take a bite. feelin' fit. ♪ ♪ we're breaking the mold. ♪ ♪ estado dorado. ♪ ♪ shining like gold. ♪ ♪ estado dorado. ♪ ♪ vive en el estado dorado. live in the golden state ♪ ♪ ♪

it's been three years since carter is about to stand trial.- all eyes are on this courthouse in taunton, massachusetts. >> reporter: michelle carter decides to forgo a jury trial. instead, a judge will decide her fate. >> the picture that is painted of michelle carter in opening statements is not a pretty one. >> who would do this and why? i would suggest the evidence will show the defendant was a very needy person who craved attention, from anyone, quite frankly. but she didn't have many close friends. >> you could sense that the prosecution felt very strongly about their argument, that she was encouraging conrad so that she could then get sympathy and become the grieving girlfriend. >> the defense's strategy starts off painting conrad as a young man who had issues of his own. and that michelle was miles upon miles away from conrad when he alone took his own life.

>> your honor, this case is a suicide case. it is not a homicide. a young man who has had a long, long history of suicidal ideation finally caused, caused his own death. michelle carter was not present. >> reporter: after six days of testimony, both sides rest. the families wait. and three days later, a verdict from the judge. >> this court finds that instructing mr. roy to get back in the truck constituted wanton and reckless conduct by miss carter, creating a situation where there is a high degree of likelihood that substantial harm would result to mr. roy. this court, having reviewed the evidence and applied the law thereto, now finds you guilty.

>> i felt a sense of peace. my son was heard. and his voice was heard. and for me, that is -- that's victory. >> reporter: michelle carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. >> new developments in that case involving michelle carter. >> she's getting out early for good behavior. >> 23-year-old michelle carter leaving jail today more than three months earlier than expected. >> if you could say something to michelle carter, would you want to? >> no. nope. honestly, i got my personal closure that day when she was found guilty. as far as what happens after that? i'd be happy if i never heard her name or saw her face ever again.

>> massachusetts is one of the new states where there is no written law that says you cannot assist someone to commit suicide or encourage someone to commit suici suici suicide. >> conrad roy's mom is spearheading legislation that would make it a crime to encourage someone to take their own life. >> i would like to make one thing clear. conrad's law has nothing to do with seeking justice for my son. this law has everything to do with preventing this from happening again to others who are struggling with mental illness. >> he's in his absence just making huge impact on people's lives. >> you can stream the full episode of 20/20's "words to die by" on hulu. coming up, supreme celebration at the white house. for people living with h-i-v, keep being you. and ask your doctor about biktarvy. biktarvy is a complete, one-pill,

once-a-day treatment used for h-i-v in certain adults. it's not a cure, but with one small pill, biktarvy fights h-i-v to help you get to and stay undetectable. that's when the amount of virus is so low it cannot be measured by a lab test. research shows people who take h-i-v treatment every day and get to and stay undetectable can no longer transmit h-i-v through sex. serious side effects can occur, including kidney problems and kidney failure. rare, life-threatening side effects include a buildup of lactic acid and liver problems. do not take biktarvy if you take dofetilide or rifampin. tell your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. if you have hepatitis b, do not stop taking biktarvy without talking to your doctor. common side effects were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. if you're living with hiv, keep loving who you are. and ask your doctor if biktarvy is right for you.

care coalition, where are we on alaska airlines? we found that people are raving about their customer care. i mean, take a look at this! wow! [dog barks] says here they have the most flights from the west coast. they fly to chicago, hawaii, cancun! wow! do they fly to my magical faraway kingdom of care-a-lot, way up in the clouds where anything is possible? they have direct flights to vegas. close enough! ♪ ♪

close enough! at jp morgan, the only definition of wealth that matters is yours. it can be a smaller house, but a bigger nest egg. a goal to work toward, or the freedom to walk away. with 200 years of experience, personalized advice, and commission free trades on an award-winning app, we are working for you. planning. investing. advice. jp morgan wealth management. ♪ ♪ it's electric... made extraordinary. ingenuity... in motion. it listens, learns, adapts

and anticipates your every need. with intelligence... that feels anything but artificial. the eqs from mercedes-benz. it's the car electric has been waiting for.

a joyous celebration at the white house. judge ketanji brown jackson reflecting on her part of this historic moment. >> we've made it, all of us, all of us. >> on a lovely spring day in the nation's capital, judge jackson taking her place in history as the first black woman confirmed to the supreme court. her husband, her two daughters, and her parents both raised in the jim crow south, and hundreds of others, sharing in this first for the nation. >> no one does this on their own. the path was cleared for me so that i might rise to this

occasion. i am the dream and the hope of the slave. >> judge jackson also pledged to do her part to carry our shared project of democracy and equal justice under law forward into the future. that is "nightline" tonight. watch our full episodes on hulu. have a great night.