Lori Drew

- Drew was 49 years old when Megan Meier committed suicideCNN: Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax (May 15, 2008)
- Lives four houses away from Meier family in Missouri
- Found not guilty of the felony charge of "intentionally causing emotional harm while accessing computers without authorization"CBS News: Mom In Myspace Hoax (May 18, 2009)
- The jury was deadlocked on the felony conspiracy chargeCBS News: Mom In Myspace Hoax (May 18, 2009)
- Reportedly pretended to be Josh Evans, a 16-year-old boy who was interested in MeganFOX News: Woman Indicted in MySpace Cyber-Bullying (May 15, 2008)
- Allegedly created the MySpace alias along with an employee, Ashley Grills
- Evans-Meier relationship began September 2006
- Was said to have befriended, then taunted and dumped MeierCNN: Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax (May 15, 2008)
- Meier committed suicide on October 17, 2006FOX News: Woman Indicted in MySpace Cyber-Bullying (May 15, 2008)
- Trial began on November 19, 2008People: Trial Begins in Cyber-Bullying Case (November 19, 2008)
- Original guilty verdict overturned by a Los Angeles judge on July 2, 2009 http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/07...

Lori Drew allegedly created the fictional MySpace personality Josh Evans. "Evans" developed a destructive online relationship with 13-year-old Megan Meier, which may have resulted in Meier's suicide on October 17, 2006.FOX News: Woman Indicted in MySpace Cyber-Bullying (May 15, 2008) On November 26, 2008, Drew was found guilty on three misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization.Wired: Lori Drew Not-Guilty of Felonies in Landmark Cyberbullying Trial (November 26, 2008)
The ruling was overturned by a Los Angeles judge on July 2, 2009, which dismissed the three misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization.http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/07/drew_court/
Charges
1. One count of conspiracyCNN: Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax (May 15, 2008)
2. Three counts of accessing a computer without authorization and via interstate commerce to obtain information to inflict emotional distressCNN: Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax (May 15, 2008)
3. Each count is worth a maximum penalty of five years in jailCNN: Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax (May 15, 2008)
The 'Hoax'

The invented boy "Josh Evans" and Meier had an online romance, which turned abusive in the fall of 2006. After Evans broke up with Meier, Meier committed suicide by hanging herself in her closet. Drew maintains she initiated the online relationship to determine how Megan felt about her daughter, Sarah.FOX News: Woman Indicted in MySpace Cyber-Bullying (May 15, 2008)
Accountability

On April 1, 2008, Ashley Grills publicly admitted on Good Morning America to have created the Evans profile. Grills named Lori Drew and Drew's daughter as the other people behind it. According to ABC News, Grills was granted immunity for her testimony against Drew.ABC News: Teen Talks About Role in Web Hoax (April 1, 2008)
Criminal Charges

On May 15, 2008, a federal grand jury charged Drew with one count of conspiracy and three counts of accessing protected computers without authorization to obtain information to inflict emotional distress.FOX News: Woman Indicted in MySpace Cyber-Bullying (May 15, 2008) Drew claims that though she knew about the fake profile, she was not involved and did not send any of the messages.CNET: Mom in MySpace hoax pleads not guilty (June 16, 2008) In October 2008, Drew's lawyer offered new information on another girl who allegedly was in contact with the fake account. He issued a request to track her phone records for the purpose of further investigation.Fox News: Second Teenager May Be Tied to MySpace Suicide Case (October 15, 2008)