KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Court TV) — An Indiana man is facing between one and two years in prison for encouraging a 19-year-old to kill herself.
Hayden Berkebile, 29, was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the 2019 death of Grace Anne Sparks.
During his May trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Berkebile and Sparks engaged in an intense long-distance relationship.
The couple’s documented communications painted a troubling picture of their interactions, including “suicide games” and vulgar text messages.
Prosecutors argued the defendant coerced and controlled the victim, driving her to perform demeaning and dangerous acts.
Those acts included loading a bullet into a revolver to play Russian roulette, and firing the gun that killed her.
Berkebile’s defense argued their disturbing interactions were role play between two damaged people playing pretend, and that Sparks’ own depression led her to take her own life.
Berkebile is scheduled to be sentenced July 15.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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