Raising Awareness About Conrad’s Law [TOWNSQUARE SUNDAY]

The story of Mattapoisett's Conrad Roy III and Plainville's Michelle Carter is tragic, and well known to people on the SouthCoast, throughout Massachusetts, and now, thanks to television movies, throughout much of the country.

The short version is this: Roy took his own life in 2014 after being urged to do so in text messages sent by Michelle Carter. Carter was eventually tried and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

The story, however, doesn't end there.

Roy's family grieved after Conrad's death, suffered through a long legal battle before and during the trial, then struggled with publicity brought on by the circumstances surrounding Conrad's death, only to relive it again because of TV movies about the case, such as Hulu's series The Girl From Plainville.

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The family has not given up. They worked with lawmakers to create a bill that calls for up to five years in prison for anyone who coerces someone to take their own life.

Conrad's aunt Kim Bozzi and Karen Frabrizzio, a family friend and advocate, joined Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss Conrad's Law.

According to Bozzi, 43 states that have enacted some type of law to address similar types of behavior. In Massachusetts, however, after a promising legislative start the bill has bogged down and its future is uncertain.

"We decided to start a campaign to bring more attention to the bill. A lot of people don't know the bill exists, so I created a Facebook page and enlisted a lot of followers over the past few months," Bozzi said. "I also began a 5K, which I knew nothing about. People came along and helped me with it."

"We just want to come together as a community to show support for the loss in the family," she said.

Frabrizzio said it has been a privilege to work with the Roy family, and she will continue to do so as long as she can.

"I really believe in Conrad's Law, and feel that if we make more noise, we'll have a real shot at it in the future," she said. "We have a lot of work to do."

To learn more about the public awareness campaign you can visit the Facebook page Conrad's Law Bill S.2382.

The Townsquare Sunday interview with Bozzi and Frabrizzio can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard Sunday mornings at 6 on 1429 AM and 99.5 FM.

The program highlights individuals and organizations seeking to make Greater New Bedford a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.