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Tag: Dharun Ravi

  • Dharun Ravi Serves 20 Days, Scheduled for Release: Twitter Reacts

    Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student who was convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy which lead to the suicide of Tyler Clementi, will be released from jail after serving only 20 days of his 30-day sentence. In accordance with state regulations, Ravi is being released because of his good behavior. Although the Indian-born Ravi, 20, won’t face deportation for his crimes, he must still turn in roughly 300 hours of community service.

    “My behavior and actions, which at no time were motivated by hate, bigotry, prejudice or desire to hurt, humiliate or embarrass anyone, were nonetheless the wrong choices and decisions,” Ravi said in a statement issued on May 30th. “I apologize to everyone affected by those choices.”

    In 2010, Ravi used a webcam to spy on his roommate, Clementi, who was in a sexual relationship with another man at the time. Ravi made light of the situation on Twitter, encouraging others to watch them on video chat. Humiliated by the whole exchange, Clementi jumped off New York’s George Washington Bridge, taking his own life in the process. Beforehand, he had announced his decision to end his life on Facebook.

    Upon leaving Middlesex County Jail, Ravi made no comment to the media.

    Twitter users have taken to the site this morning to discuss Dharun’s early release. You can find a small collection of their thoughts and feelings on the subject below.

  • Dharun Ravi Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail

    Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi, 20, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, along with 3 years probation, for his use of a webcam in spying on his former roommate, which resulted in his suicide. Ravi was found guilty in March on 15 criminal counts, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation, and was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service, and must contribute $10,000 towards a program to help victims of bias crimes. Judge Glenn Berman also ordered Ravi to enter into counseling.

    Ravi’s former roommate, Tyler Clementi, jumped off the George Washington Bridge in New York City in September 2010, after realizing a sexual encounter he had had with another male was secretly recorded by Ravi, who then wrote about it on his Twitter account. The case became relevant to the national debate on bullying. After realizing that Ravi had been showing people the recording, Clementi posted a status update on Facebook reading, “Jumping off the gw bridge, sorry.”

    Ravi had faced up to 10 years in prison and possible deportation to India, where he is still a citizen though Berman recommended forgoing a deportation. Joseph Clementi, Tyler’s father, stated, “We are seeking justice and accountability, not revenge, and with that accountability comes consequences – Justice is a difficult thing to define, yet when we get it, we know it.” Clementi’s mother added, referring to Ravi, “He never really knew Tyler – Not the smart, kind, articulate, humble, funny, generous person Tyler was. All he found out was that Tyler was gay.” From the Clementi’s point of view, little justice has yet to be defined. Ravi’s mother chimed in, “Dharun’s dreams are shattered and he has been living in hell for the past 20 months.”

    Ravi’s lawyers called the case a miscarriage of justice and wanted an acquittal or a retrial, but Berman wasn’t having it, stating, “I’m not going to say here that he had a perfect trial – But I’m convinced without any question, he got a fair one.”