Prosecutor says woman plotted Web hoax with others, 1st Ld-Writethru

by GREG RISLING, Associated Press Writer

November 19, 2008 —

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A federal prosecutor says a Missouri mother hatched a plot with her daughter and an employee to stage an Internet hoax on a 13-year-old girl who later committed suicide.

U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien told jurors during opening statements Wednesday in the trial of 49-year-old Lori Drew that she helped create a false identity on MySpace.

Drew is accused of harassing her young neighbor, Megan Meier, in what prosecutors say is the nation's first cyber-bullying case.

Meier hanged herself in 2006 after allegedly receiving a message saying the world would be better off without her.

Drew has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and accessing computers without authorization. Each count carries a potential sentence of five years in prison.

Associated Press