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Teen describes role in Web hoax

08:05 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 1, 2008

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Previous stories:

News 4 talks to Megan Meier's mother about internet hoax, suicide

Authorities investigate Internet postings posing as Drew

Neighbors shun Missouri family over Internet hoax and suicide

Prosecutor: Law doesn't allow for charges in MySpace suicide case

Prosecutors take second look at suicide involving 13-year-old

DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. (AP) -- The teenager who took part in the Internet hoax blamed for the suicide of Megan Meier told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday that a mother from Megan's neighborhood was an active participant in the ruse.

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The interview with 19-year-old Ashley Grills contradicted earlier comments from Lori Drew, whose teenage daughter was a friend of Megan's. A statement from Drew's family has previously said she was aware of the MySpace comments to Megan, but didn't send them or direct anyone to send them.

Drew's attorney, Jim Briscoe, did not return a phone message left Tuesday by The Associated Press. Grills did not have a listed phone number.

Megan, 13, of the suburban St. Louis town of Dardenne Prairie, hanged herself in October 2006, after mean-spirited online comments from what she thought was a boy she had befriended, "Josh Evans" and others. The boy was fictional.

Megan's story drew international attention when a newspaper first reported details late last year.

Grills told "Good Morning America" that she created the false MySpace profile of Josh Evans. But she said Drew wrote some of the messages to Megan.

Grills said she, Lori Drew, and Drew's daughter wanted to know what Megan was saying about Drew's daughter online. Grills said she and Drew's daughter suggested communicating with Megan over the Internet, and that Lori Drew called that "a good idea." Grills told "Good Morning America" that she found a picture of a good-looking boy to use.

At first, "Josh" flirted online with Megan, but eventually the messages turned mean. Grills told "Good Morning America" that she wrote the message that the "world would be a better place without you" that was sent to Megan, who committed suicide not long afterwards.

Grills said the message was aimed at ending the online relationship because she felt that the joke had gone too far.

"I was trying to get her angry so she would leave him alone and I could get rid of the whole MySpace," Grills said.

Drew has been villified by many in her community since news of Megan's suicide became public. Prosecutors have declined to file charges in Missouri, though several communities have either adopted laws, or are considering measures, to penalize Web-based harassment.

Grills said she tried to commit suicide in the wake of Megan's death. She said she rarely leaves her house.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that federal prosecutors are considering charging Drew with defrauding MySpace for the false account used to communicate with Megan. ABC News reported that Grills had been granted immunity in exchange for testimony in California.

Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles, told The Associated Press Tuesday he could not comment. Grand jury matters are secret.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 04-01-08 1615CDT

  

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