Young Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter for her Role in Boyfriend’s Suicide

Alexander Urtula died on the day of his college graduation

 

BOSTON, December 23, 2021—A former Boston College student accepted responsibility and accountability for her role in suicide of her then boyfriend 22-year-old Alexander Urtula, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

During a change of plea hearing today in Suffolk Superior Court, INYOUNG YOU, 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter for the escalating and unrelenting verbal, physical and psychological abuse that she admitted in court directly contributed to Mr. Urtula’s suicide.  Judge Robert Ullmann sentenced Ms. You to a carceral term of two and a half years in the house of correction, suspended for a probationary term of 10 years.  The first five years of that probationary term will be supervised, during which time she will be required to comply with a number of conditions, including that she complete community service and continue to undergo mental health treatment by a licensed provider.  Ms. You is explicitly barred from profiting financially from the facts underlying this criminal case at any time during the 10-year probationary term – meaning that neither she nor her assignees or agents may receive any payment in return for their involvement in the portrayal of the facts of this disturbing and heart-wrenching situation.

The sentence was jointly recommended by prosecutors and Ms. You’s legal team. If she violates any of the conditions, she will face the possibility of incarceration for the suspended sentence - 2.5 year in the House of Corrections.

“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 Rollins. “They believe this is something Alexander would have wanted.’’

“When we think of domestic violence, we often picture a man abusing a female intimate partner.  However, we see abusers as well as victims across the gender spectrum.  Abuse occurs within every type of family constellation, not just between intimate partners, and across every religion, race, ethnicity, neighborhood and socioeconomic standing. Parents and guardians abuse children, siblings abuse each other, children abuse parents and guardians.  And not all domestic violence is physical.  There are emotional, financial, and psychological ways abuse occurs, including forced isolation, that can have a significant impact on victims. All of these things are domestic violence.” District Attorney Rollins said. “Today, as always, our thoughts are with Alexander’s family and loved ones.  Today’s plea allows them to close one chapter of their grief and hopefully move on to the next stage of their journey toward healing.  My office will continue to support them and to ensure that they have access to the services and resources they may need going forward.  Our office is available to serve victims of all crime in Suffolk County – including the victims of all types of domestic violence and the survivors of homicide victims.”

Mr. Urtula committed suicide by jumping from the roof of the Renaissance Parking Garage onto the lower busway of the Ruggles MBTA Station in Roxbury on May 20, 2019.  Ms. You had been tracking the victim’s phone that morning and was present at the time of his suicide.  Mr. Urtula died on the same day he was scheduled to graduate from Boston College.  His family was in town for his graduation.  Instead, they learned of his suicide.

A forensic search of Mr. Urtula’s cell phone and statements made by witnesses prompted further investigation into his death by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and MBTA Transit Police Department. The extensive investigation determined that Ms. You and Mr. Urtula were involved in a tumultuous, dysfuynctional, and unhealthy 18-month-long dating relationship, during which time Ms. You engaged in deeply disturbing and at times relentless verbally, physically and psychologically abusive behavior toward Mr. Urtula. The abuse became more frequent, more overwhelming, and debilitating in the days and hours leading up to Mr. Urtula’s tragic death.

This unrelenting abuse was witnessed by friends and classmates of both parties and documented extensively in text messages between the couple.  Specifically, between March 29, 2019 and Mr. Urtula’s death on May 20, 2019, the couple exchanged 75,337 text messages, of which 47,130 were sent by Ms. You.  Within these messages, Ms. You repeatedly told the victim that he should kill himself or die and waged a campaign of abuse that stripped the victim of his free will.  Evidence, including Mr. Urtula’s medical records, testimony of family members and friends, as well as Mr. Urtula’s own journal entries, illustrate that his suicidality began only as a result of Ms. Young’s near constant abuse.

“Words matter. Demeaning language, ridicule, and verbal abuse can deeply impact people.  Youth today communicate over social media or via text messages like my generation spoke on the phone or in person.  Many people say things on social media and through text that they would likely never say directly to a person’s face.  As members of law enforcement, we must educate our young people about the dangerous cocktail of isolation, bullying, and shame.  If you are targeted or threatened by strangers, classmates, colleagues, acquaintances, or even people you care about or love, you can always come to us in law enforcement for help.  There are organizations and community partners that can help.  We want you healthy and alive.  Please come to us for help if you feel unsafe, scared, or desperate as a result of abuse, bullying, or threats of harm or violence.”

Judge Ullmann said the case is a tragedy and should serve as a caution to teens and young people who turn to social media and demean someone. Words can have devastating consequences. He said Ms. You’s conviction means she will bear numerous negative repercussions throughout her life. Before departing the bench, Judge Ullmann said he had one request of Ms. You. “I just ask that you make every possible effort to live your life in a way that honors the memory of Alexander.” 

District Attorney Rollins stated, “We agree wholeheartedly with and commend Judge Ullman’s request of Ms. You.  Mr. Urtula and his family certainly deserve as much.”

The victims of any crime, including domestic violence, should call 911 in an emergency. SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24 hours a day in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages.

Help is also available for members of our LGTBQ+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901. 

Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Grasso of District Attorney Rollins’ Senior Trial Team and Assistant District Attorney Cailin Campbell, Chief of the Appeals Unit, prosecuted the case.  Victim Witness Advocate Tina Nguyen was assigned to the case. Former Victim Witness Advocate Nicole Bresnahan was also assigned to the case prior to her departure from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; she attended today’s hearing via Zoom to further support the Urtula family. In their beautiful and heart-wrenching victim impact statement read to the court, the Urtula family honored Alexander and his legacy while a photo of him with his nephews was displayed to the court.  The Urtula family thanked the prosecutors, and investigators, and especially credited VWAs Nguyen and Bresnahan for their support.

 

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

SCDAO