Posted on 12/07/2007 5:35:38 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Residents of the middle-class subdivision have turned against the neighbor, Lori Drew, and her family, demanding the Drews move out. In interviews, they have warned darkly that someone might be tempted to "take matters into their own hands."
"It's like they used to do in the 1700s and 1800s. If you wronged a community, you were basically shunned. That's basically what happened to her," said Trever Buckles, a 40-year-old who lives next door to the Drews.
Drew became an outcast after she participated in a hoax in which a fictional teenager by the name of "Josh Evans" exchanged online messages with 13-year-old Megan Meier. Megan received cruel messages from Josh that apparently drove her to hang herself in her closet in 2006.
Through her lawyer, Drew, a mother of two in her 40s, has denied saying hurtful things to the girl over the Internet, and prosecutors have said they found no grounds for charges against the woman. Nevertheless, the community reaction has been vengeful and the pressure on the Drews intense.
More than 100 residents gathered in front of their home on a recent evening, holding candles and reciting stories about Megan.
Last December, after neighbors learned of the Internet hoax, someone threw a brick through a window in the Drew home. A few weeks ago, someone made a prank call to police reporting that there had been a shooting inside the Drews' house, prompting squad cars to arrive with sirens flashing.
Someone recently obtained the password to change the Drews' outgoing cell phone recording, and replaced it with a disturbing message. Police would not detail the content.
Clients have fled from Drew's home-based advertising business, so she had to close it. Neighbors have not seen Drew outside her home in weeks.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Now this wretched woman knows how Megan felt.
If any of you haven’t heard, or are interested, I posted an announcement from MOGOP voice...here.
Internet Harassment Task Force Created by Missouri Governor
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936469/posts
I’ll post this on a few of the threads related to this topic.
what is the Globe doing with this story?
Lori Drew won’t face legal charges, but she’s getting her just desserts, nonetheless.
Jewish sages have noted that gossip is one of the worst crimes ever. Words can’t be recalled.
And so she should!
Thanks for posting this thread! I’m glad that this is receiving so much publicity. maybe it will prevent someone else from doing it.
I have always thought that social censure - if exercised over real offenses - is a good thing. There are some things the government cannot and should not punish; society and the church, however, can operate to limit such wrongs by teaching and censure.
MySpace Mom Linked to Missouri Teen’s Suicide Being Cyber-Bullied Herself
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936007/posts
Online avengers perpetuate the problem (Megabarf)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936315/posts
A Hoax Turned Fatal Draws Anger but No Charges (Death by the Internet)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932241/posts
Megan Had It Coming (says woman who drove her to suicide)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1934284/posts
Parents Say Online Bullies Caused Daughter’s Suicide
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928827/posts
Mother: Hoax on MySpace triggered daughter’s suicide
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1927480/posts
Law lags as taunts ruin lives
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928220/posts
Parents of MySpace hoax victim seek justice [teen killed herself over hoax]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1928108/posts
My Space’ hoax ends with suicide of Dardenne Prairie teen
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1925716/posts
POKIN AROUND: A real person, a real death
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924847/posts
Police Cite ‘Air of Vigilantism’ in Response to Girl’s Suicide
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1928930/posts
No Charges in MySpace Suicide Case
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934105/posts
Frontier justice in an online world? (MySpace suicide case)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1933444/posts
Attorney: Woman didn’t know about online taunts(Myspace suicide woman appears on Today Show)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1934734/posts
Thanks for saving the links....
Exactly - We reap what we sow -
Don't plant thistles and be upset when roses don't grow...they might as well move because the neighbors wont forget - and this twisted woman's own kids must also be reaping the results of her actions - she should be in jail
I hear ya, and will raise you. I hope they wind up in civil court.
Legislation he signed strengthened laws protecting children from predators who use the Internet to access victims, specifying that laws apply even when a sexual predator is communicating with law enforcement posing as a child. "Megan Meier’s senseless death is a tragic lesson that social networking sites and technology have opened a new door for criminals and bullies to prey on their victims," Governor Blunt said. "As families and friends continue to remember Megan and celebrate her life, we must ensure that our laws have the protections and penalties needed to safeguard Missourians from Internet harassment."
Not sure what to think about this...or what to expect. Am waiting..
What decent person would want to be around someone who behaved in such a manner?
Twenty years ago they'd be able to pack up and move to another city, another state, far away where nobody knows their history and they'd be able to start over. Not anymore. As soon as they settled in to a new home, someone would be able to dig up their past from the internet. This will follow them around forever.
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