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I was very surprised by opinions here @BooMan before the trial of Dharun Ravi. I stated he should have accepted the very lenient offer by the state prosecutor in a plea deal.
Dharun Ravi Found Guilty in Rutgers Trial
(ABC News) – A New Jersey jury today found former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi guilty of the most serious charges for spying on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, having a gay sexual encounter in 2010.
Ravi was convicted of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, witness tampering, and hindering arrest, stemming from his role in activating a webcam to peek at Clementi’s date with a man on Sept. 19, 2010. Ravi was also accused of encouraging others to spy during a second date, on Sept. 21, 2010, and intimidating Clementi for being gay.
Ravi, who faces 10 years in prison and deportation to India, was was found not guilty of some of the 15 counts of bias intimidation, attempted invasion of privacy, and attempted bias intimidation, but was found guilty of the majority of crimes.
Ravi’s attorney, Steven Altman, put his arm around Ravi’s shoulder shortly before the verdict. Ravi showed little reaction as the jury read out the verdicts to his crimes.
Clementi’s case gained national attention when he committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge Sept. 22, 2010. Ravi is not charged in connection with Clementi’s death.
Sentencing has been scheduled for May 21, and Ravi still faces up to 10 years in prison along with the risk of deportation. Ravi, who has reportedly been living in the U.S. for many years, could be deported back to India, where he also has citizenship. It would mean being separated from his U.S. based family.
NJ.com has published a full list of the charges and the jury’s decision on each. A jury found that Ravi used a webcam to spy on Clementi in September 2010 and that he did it – and told others about it – because of a bias against gays.
Here are all the counts against Dharun Ravi and a breakdown of the decisions.
Kid Was Very Stupid
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Not to take the plea bargain! He’ll see prison time and deportation, rightfully so. Tampering with evidence/witness, privacy intrusion, bullying and bias charges. Molly Wei as witness for the prosecution. Born in Tamil Hindu, a different culture for the third gender. Hardworking parents with a highly intelligent kid, however socially akward and a boastful nerd.
More below the fold …
Hate That Argument
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“These were kids we’re talking about.”At the age of 18 a person has a drivers license and in NJ one can purchase a handgun. In today’s world, a senior in high school isn’t a kid anymore. This is not a prank, but a number of serious violations of the penal code. The “kid” has the advantage of wealthy parents who can afford excellent legal counsel. When Dharun Ravi gets a conviction, he (and the family) risks deportation back to India according to US Immigration Law. At least that was the case in the sixties when I lived in the States when a family member (a minor) was convicted for shoplifting with some friends. The whole family was deported back to Europe.
Experts: Trial in Rutgers case will be difficult Defense has the best lawyer of the state, I do believe some counts will be proven in court and Dharun Ravi will serve time.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
