Woman Pleads Guilty in Case of Boyfriend's Suicide

A 23-year-old woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Thursday after repeatedly telling her boyfriend to kill himself, which he went on to do, while they were students at Boston College, BuzzFeed News reports. Inyoung You's guilty plea showed she accepted responsibility that her verbal, physical, and psychological abuse contributed to the suicide of Alexander Urtula, the Suffolk County district attorney's office in Boston said. Under a plea agreement, she received a suspended sentence. If she violates any of her probation terms over the next 10 years, she could serve two and a half years in prison. She will undergo mental health treatment and do community service. In addition, she may not profit from any portrayal of the case over the next 10 years. “This agreement with defense counsel was made in close consultation with the Urtula family. It is consistent with their desire to seek accountability and closure and to protect the legacy of Alexander, a loving son, brother, and uncle," said District Attorney Rachael Rollins. The two began dating in late 2017 or early 2018, Prosecutors alleged that You became abusive toward Urtula in late summer 2018 after she found out he lied about meeting with his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors argued that You failed to stop her boyfriend even though she knew what he was going to do. They argued this made her “criminally responsible” for his suicide. Throughout You and Urtula's 18-month relationship, You sent many abusive texts to Urtula, often telling him to die by suicide. Urtula died on May 20, 2019, hours before his college graduation.