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Dharun Ravi sentenced to 30 days in Rutgers webcam case [amNewYork, New York](AM New York Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 21--Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi was sentenced Monday to 30 days in prison for a bias crime when he spied on roommate Tyler Clementi's gay encounter days before Clementi committed suicide. Ravi, 20, was convicted in March of using a webcam to invade Clementi's privacy by spying on his roommate with an older man in the college dorm room that Ravi and Clementi shared. Ravi faced a maximum of 10 years behind bars. Clementi, 18, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010, days after learning that Ravi watched him through the computer-mounted camera and used social media to encourage others to do so. Ravi was not charged with causing Clementi's death. "I don't believe he hated Tyler Clementi. He had no reason to. But I do believe he acted out of colossal insensitivity," said Judge Glenn Berman when he handed down the relatively light sentence. Ravi also received three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, counseling about cyberbullying and "alternative lifestyles" and a $10,000 fine that will assist victims of bias crimes. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn condemned the sentence. "The system of justice has failed. Dharun Ravi's bullying contributed to Tyler's death," Quinn said in a statement. "Yet, Mr. Ravi has shown no remorse and accepted no responsibility in the case. Still, the court sentenced him to only 30 days in jail. This is an outrageous slap in the face to all who believe in equal justice for all." GLAAD President Herndon Graddick told amNewYork that "this incident points to a culture where LGBT youth today are made to feel like it's not OK to be who they are. "Schools, colleges and universities should use this case to focus on creating environments where LGBT youth are supported and accepted," Graddick said. (with Reuters) ___ (c)2012 amNewYork Visit amNewYork at www.amny.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |