Quoting doesn't seem to be working for me.
Regarding a jury vs a bench trial. She chose correctly IMHO. She's unlikable, and those tweets are despicable. Too much opportunity for an emotional response by jurors, who may be parents themselves. A judge has the education and experience behind him/her, and in this particular case, will be more likely to not be caught up in the emotions. Of course that doesn't mean he's infallible. That's why there is an appeals process and higher courts to review cases, if necessary. Everything isn't black and white in court cases. A blanket statement suggesting that a judge appointed by a politician is therefore influenced by politics in his or her decision is quite frankly a little bizarre.
I was shocked to read upthread a "blame the parents" type of comment. That if he had so many issues, that it must've had something to do with his upbringing. Can't quote, so exactly what the comment was, I'm not sure. The BEST families can have histories of depression. Depression can come from various sources, including chemical imbalances. I'm sure EVERY parent feels a certain amount of guilt when a child commits suicide, but geez, cut them a break. The fact that he committed suicide does NOT mean his parents failed him.
As far as involuntary short-term commitments...the fact that he committed suicide does not mean that he OBVIOUSLY showed people that he was a danger to himself. He had been hospitalized on more than one occasion before he turned 18. He didn't want to go back, and he had that right. The bar is, and should be, set pretty high to take away someone's rights. We don't really know the extent of his expressing a desire to harm himself to the people who may have been able to have him committed...his parents. Michelle Carter seems to be the one he shared that with to a large extent, and she took that and encouraged it, to a shocking extent. If his parents had the same information she did, he may have been hospitalized against his will, but I don't know the criteria. And if she hadn't basically "egged him on" continuously and relentlessly until he followed through, the opportunity may have presented itself for him to get further help.
Do I think this case should have gone to trial? I don't know. Obviously those here who are sure it should not, studied it more intently than I, including pre-trial hearings and all the evidence. I'm going to go with this...a decision was made, based on evidence and hearings, and the education and experience of a judge, despite his political opinions and appointments, that there was enough merit to move forward with the case, and that there are checks and balances in our justice system to lead, as hopefully there are in ALL cases, to a fair trial, and if necessary, a fair decision in an appeal.
I don't believe that bringing this to trial and a conviction, if it does, will bring us to a downward spiral to a police state. This is an extreme case. If she is convicted...and I'm not saying I think she should be (the 'ol "I haven't heard all the the evidence" thing)...it will be hotly debated for years to come. I'm sure there are many lawyers and law students watching this one.
The End.