Dharun Ravi Trial: Tyler Clementi's Date, "M.B.," Testifies (UPDATE)

UPDATE: 12:08 p.m. -- The man known only as "M.B." testified today that it was "strange" to see a webcam pointed at him while he had a sexual encounter in the bed of his date, Tyler Clementi.

"I noticed there was a web cam, faced over in the direction of the bed. I just thought it was strange. Being in a compromising position," M.B. said according to the New York Post. "It just caught my eye that there was a camera lens looking right at me."

The camera allegedly sat on top of the computer belonging to Clementi's Rutgers University roommate, Dharun Ravi. Ravi is accused of spying on the two men and writing about it on Twitter days before Clementi committed suicide in September 2010.

M.B. also told the prosecution that he didn't give anyone permission to watch their tryst and that he expected it to be private, the New York Daily News reports.

After first meeting Clementi on a social networking site for gay men, M.B. said that he visited Clementi three times in the New Brunswick dormitory room. On Sept. 16, he left before 2 a.m. -- the time Ravi was expected to return. On his second night there, Sept. 19, he says he had sex with Clementi and noticed the webcam for the first time. This was the night that Ravi and a friend used the webcam, according to earlier testimony. About five students stared at M.B. when he left building that night, he said.

M.B. says that he returned to Clementi's room on Sept. 21. Ravi allegedly tried to use the webcam again that night, but Clementi had unplugged it.

PREVIOUSLY: After days of expectation, a mystery man known only as "M.B." began testifying in the webcam spying trial of Dharun Ravi today.

Tyler Clementi, who was Ravi's freshman roommate at Rutgers University, invited "M.B." to his dorm room in September 2010 for two dates. Days after apparently learning that Ravi used a webcam to watch their tryst, Clementi jumped from the George Washington Bridge.

Ravi, now 20, is on trial for allegedly bullying Clementi, 18, because he's gay and invading his privacy. He's also charged with witness and evidence tampering, because prosecutors say he tried to cover his tracks when police probed the events leading up to Clementi's death. If convicted fo the most serious charges, he faces 10 years in prison.

The defense counters that Ravi's behaved immaturely, but insists that he didn't hate Clementi for being gay.

CLICK TO SEE A TIMELINE OF EVENTS FROM THE RUTGERS WEBCAM SPY CASE

PHOTOS: (Story Continues Below)

Loading Slideshow

• Dharun Ravi, Steve Altman

  Dharun Ravi, 20, right, walks out of Middlesex County jail with his attorney Steven Altman, in North Brunswick, N.J., Tuesday, June 19, 2012. Ravi, the former Rutgers University student who was convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man was released from jail Tuesday after serving 20 days of a 30-day sentence. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• This undated file photograph provided by Joseph and Jane Clementi shows their son Tyler Clementi at a family function. Opening arguments took place on Feb. 24, 2012 in the trial of a former Rutgers University student found guilty of using a webcam to spy on his roommate Clementi's intimate encounter with another man. (Clementi Family / AP)

• Dharun Ravi, Steve Altman

  Dharun Ravi, 20, right, walks out of Middlesex County jail with his attorney Steven Altman, in North Brunswick, N.J., Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The Indian-born former Rutgers University student who was convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man was released from jail Tuesday after serving 20 days of a 30-day sentence. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Dharun Ravi, Steve Altman

• Dharun Ravi

  Dharun Ravi, 20, walks out of Middlesex County jail in North Brunswick, N.J., Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The Indian-born former Rutgers University student who was convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man was released from jail Tuesday after serving 20 days of a 30-day sentence. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Dharun Ravi sits in court during his sentencing in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate kiss another man days before the roommate killed himself, was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail. A judge also gave 20-year-old Dharun Ravi three years of probation. (Mel Evans, AP)

• Dharun Ravi

  Dharun Ravi, 22, arrives at the Middlesex County sheriff's department in New Brunswick, N.J., Thursday, May 31, 2012. The former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate reported to the sheriff on his way to jail. Ravi arrived at the sheriff's department shortly after 12:30 p.m. to be fingerprinted and photographed before being driven to the county jail to serve a 30-day term. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Dharun Ravi

  Dharun Ravi, 22, is photographed by the media as he arrives at the Middlesex County sheriff's department in New Brunswick, N.J., Thursday, May 31, 2012. The former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate reported to the sheriff on his way to jail. Ravi arrived at the sheriff's department shortly after 12:30 p.m. to be fingerprinted and photographed before being driven to the county jail to serve a 30-day term. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• A Middlesex County Sheriff's Dept. van, reportedly transporting Dharun Ravi to jail, drives away from the sheriff's office in New Brunswick, N.J., Thursday, May 31, 2012. The former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate turned himself in shortly after 12:30 p.m. to be fingerprinted and photographed before being driven to the county jail to serve a 30-day term. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Ravi Pazhani

  Ravi Pazhani, leaves the Middlesex County sheriff's department past officers and the media in New Brunswick, N.J., Thursday, May 31, 2012, after the arrival of his son, Dharun Ravi. The former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate was to report to the sheriff on his way to jail. Ravi, 22, arrived at the sheriff's department shortly after 12:30 p.m. to be fingerprinted and photographed before being driven to the county jail to serve a 30-day term. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Philip Nettl, Dharun Ravi, Sabitha Ravi

• Dharun Ravi, center, listens to a court officer with his attorneys Philip Nettl, left, and Steve Altman, during his sentencing in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate kiss another man days before the roommate killed himself was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail. A judge also gave 20-year-old Dharun Ravi three years of probation. (Mel Evans, AP)

• Joseph Clementi,Jane Clementi

  Tyler Clementi's parents, Joseph Clementi and Jane Clementi, look on during a sentencing hearing for Dharun Ravi, in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate, Tyler Clementi, kiss another man days before Clementi killed himself, was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail. A judge also gave 20-year-old Dharun Ravi three years of probation. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• As fellow defense attorney Steve Altman, third left, listens, attorney Philip Nettl, left, speaks on behalf of Dharun Ravi, second left, as Middlesex County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia McClure, second right, and Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn, right, listen during a sentencing hearing for Ravi in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate kiss another man days before the roommate killed himself, was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail. A judge also gave 20-year-old Dharun Ravi three years of probation. (Mel Evans, AP)

• Dharun Ravi, center, is helped by his father, Ravi Pazhani, second right, as they leave court around in New Brunswick, N.J., Friday, March 16, 2012. Defense attorney Philip Nettl follows, second left. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's love life has been convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy. A jury found that he used a webcam to spy on roommate Tyler Clementi. Within days, Clementi realized he had been watched and jumped to his death from New York's George Washington Bridge in September 2010. (Mel Evans, AP)

• Several hundred supporters rally in front of the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, N.J., Monday, May 14, 2012, on behalf of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man. The 20-year-old was convicted in March and faces up to 10 years in prison. The case garnered national attention because his roommate, Tyler Clementi, killed himself in September 2010, just days after the spying. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Jane Clementi hugs a family member following the verdict in the trial of Dharun Ravi, on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the Middlesex Superior Court in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's love life has been convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy. A jury found that he used a webcam to spy on roommate Tyler Clementi. Within days, Clementi realized he had been watched and jumped to his death from New York's George Washington Bridge in September 2010. (AP Photo/The Star-Ledger, Jerry McCrea, Pool)

• Renuka Desai, of Edison, N.J., holds a sign and a flag as she joins several hundred supporters at a rally in front of the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, N.J., Monday, May 14, 2012, on behalf of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man. The 20-year-old was convicted in March and faces up to 10 years in prison. The case garnered national attention because his roommate, Tyler Clementi, killed himself in September 2010, just days after the spying. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Sabitha Ravi, center, talks outside the New Jersey Statehouse about her son, Dharun Ravi, in Trenton, N.J., Monday, May 14, 2012. Supporters rallied on behalf of Dharun, the former Rutgers University student convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man. The case garnered national attention because his roommate, Tyler Clementi, killed himself in September 2010, just days after the spying. Ravi Pazhani, right, and Satish Mehtani, left, watch. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Nachhatar Singh, right, and Gill Harjit wait to join several hundred supporters outside the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, N.J., Monday, May 14, 2012, on behalf of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted of bias intimidation for using a webcam to see his roommate kissing another man. The case garnered national attention because his roommate, Tyler Clementi, killed himself in September 2010, just days after the spying. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

• Dharun Ravi, center, is helped by his father, Ravi Pazhani, right, as they leave court around noon in New Brunswick, N.J., Friday, March 16, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's love life has been convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy. A jury found that he used a webcam to spy on roommate Tyler Clementi. Within days, Clementi realized he had been watched and jumped to his death from New York's George Washington Bridge in September 2010. (Mel Evans, AP)

• Dharun Ravi, former Rutgers student found guilty of using a webcam to spy on his roommate's intimate encounter with another man, leaves Middlesex County Court on Dec. 9, 2011 in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi rejected a plea deal that would have kept him out of prison and sought to prevent his deportation, accepting the gamble of a trial. Tyler Clementi, 18, committed suicide days after the alleged spying in September 2010. Ravi, 19, is not charged in connection with Clementi's death. (Noah K. Murray, AP)

• Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman talks to the jurors after their verdict in the trial of Dharun Ravi, on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the Middlesex Superior Court in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's love life has been convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy. A jury found that he used a webcam to spy on roommate Tyler Clementi. Within days, Clementi realized he had been watched and jumped to his death from New York's George Washington Bridge in September 2010. (AP Photo/The Star-Ledger, Jerry McCrea, Pool)

• Dharun Ravi, former Rutgers University student listened to his attorney Steve Altman as he rejected a new plea offer at Middlesex County Court on Dec. 9, 2011 in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi was found guilty of using a webcam to spy on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, during an intimate encounter with another man. Clementi, 18, committed suicide days after the alleged spying in September 2010. (Noah K. Murray, AP)

• In this May 6, 2011 photo, Molly Wei, the former Rutgers student charged with Dharun Ravi with invading the privacy of Tyler Clementi, looks at the prosecutors during her appearance before Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick, N.J. (Frank H. Conlon, AP)

• Jane Clementi, right, and her husband, Joseph Clementi, left, attend a symposium on use and misuse of social media at Rutgers University on Nov. 14, 2011, in Piscataway, N.J. Their son, Tyler Clementi, was in his first weeks as a student at Rutgers in September 2010 when he killed himself after a roommate used a webcam to spy on Clementi's intimate encounter with another man. The family has started a foundation in their son's honor to address cyberbullying. (Julio Cortez, AP)

• In this Dec. 9, 2011 photo, Jane Clementi looks at family photographs at her home in Ridgewood, N.J. Jane Clementi, the mother of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers student who killed himself after his roommate used a webcam to spy on his intimate encounter with another man, says that he had a lot on his mind just before he went to college. His mother says that in one conversation a few days before Tyler left for college he told her that he was gay, had doubts about his religious beliefs and was sad that he did not have close friends. (Mel Evans, AP)

• In this Oct. 1, 2010 photo, Rutgers University students sign condolence cards at Rutgers in New Brunswick, N.J., for the family of fellow student Tyler Clementi. Rutgers University has planned a silent vigil to remember Clementi, who committed suicide after his sexual encounter was secretly streamed online. (Mel Evans, AP)

• U. S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks at a statewide town meeting in memory of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi on Oct. 6, 2010 at the Rutgers University Student Center in New Brunswick, N.J. (Bill Kostroun, AP)

• New Jersey Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Edison, stands with other lawmakers on Oct. 25, 2010, in Trenton, N.J., as she answers a question about a bill they introduced to toughen the state's anti-bullying laws after the widely publicized suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi. The bipartisan group of lawmakers touted the "anti-bullying bill of rights" targeting public schools and colleges. (Mel Evans, AP)

• In this Dec. 9, 2011 photo, Joseph Clementi looks at his wife, Jane Clementi, as they sit in Ridgewood, N.J. (Mel Evans, AP)

• People walk outside Davidson Hall "C" Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, in Piscataway, N.J. The death of Tyler Clementi, 18, a Rutgers University freshman living in the dorm, has stirred outrage and remorse among classmates who said they wished they could have stopped the teen from jumping off a bridge after secret video of his sexual encounter with a man was streamed online. Clementi's roommate, Dharun Ravi, was found guilty of invading Clementi's privacy. (Mel Evans, AP)

• In this Dec. 9, 2011 photo, Jane Clementi answers a question as she sits with husband Joseph Clementi as they talk about their son Tyler, in their home in Ridgewood, N.J. The parents of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers student who killed himself after his roommate used a webcam to spy on his intimate encounter with another man, say that he had a lot on his mind just before he went to college. (Mel Evans, AP)

• In this Oct. 3, 2010 file photo, people participate in a candlelight vigil for Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi at Brower Commons on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick, N.J. Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River on Sept. 22 after intimate images of him with another man in his dorm room were broadcast online. (Reena Rose Sibayan, AP)

• In this May 23, 2011 file photo, Joe Clementi, top left, and his wife, Jane, right, sit inside Judge Glenn Berman's courtroom at the Middlesex County Courthouse during a hearing for Dharun Ravi, in the webcam-spying case involving the suicide of their son Tyler Clementi, in New Brunswick, N.J. Joe and Jane Clementi said Friday, March 23, 2012, that a jury got it right last week by convicting their son's roommate, Ravi, of hate crimes and other offenses. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

• In a March 9, 2012 file photo, Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers University student who was found guilty of hate crimes for using a webcam to view his roommate at Rutgers University kissing another man, waits before court proceedings in New Brunswick, N.J. In a legal filing Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Ravi's lawyers asked a judge to overturn the jury's conviction. They said the jury convicted Ravi in March despite evidence that he was not guilty of invading the privacy or intimidating roommate Tyler Clementi, who killed himself days after the webcam was used. (AP Photo/The Star-Ledger, John Munson, Pool, File)

• Dharun Ravi, Joseph Benedict

  FILE - In this May 30, 2012, file photo, Dharun Ravi, right, sits with his attorney Joseph Benedict during a hearing in New Brunswick, N.J. Ravi, the former Rutgers University student convicted of using his webcam to watch his roommate kiss another man, is due to be released from jail Tuesday, June 19 after serving 20 days of a 30 day sentence. Ravi reported to jail last month even though he could have remained free during an appeal of the case. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

As a victim of Ravi's supposed crimes, "M.B." -- described as about 10 years older than Clementi -- has fought to remain anonymous. It was reported that he might be called earlier this week, but the prosecution refused to disclose if and when he would be summoned. His request to protect his identity has been honored by the judge's orders that media can only film and photograph him from the neck down.

Ravi's defense is expected to argue that Ravi used the webcam because he was suspicious of "M.B." -- not because he was homophobic.

Earlier witnesses in the week-old trial testified that Ravi said Clementi's companion appeared "shady" and "creepy."

Molly Wei, a friend of Ravi's, said they used a computer in her room to activate the webcam. They saw Clementi and M.B. embracing, but turned off the camera after a few seconds she said.

But Ravi wrote on Twitter about seeing Clementi kissing another man. When Clementi asked for private use of their room a few nights later, Ravi tweeted that people should link to his webcam to watch.

On Thursday, the prosecution called one of Ravi's former ultimate frisbee teammates who said that Ravi "appeared uncomfortable" with having a gay roommate.

Geoffrey Irving, the ex-teammate, also said Ravi discussed Clementi's sexuality several times and revealed that he planned to watch him via the webcam on a second occasion.

The defense unsuccessfully sought a mistrial yesterday, claiming that prosecutors had improper contact with a witness. The defense said that prosecutors hindered their ability to cross-examine Lokesh Ojha, who testified about helping Ravi set up the webcam, by talking to him on Wednesday.

Judge Glen Bermann denied the motion, saying that the contact was benign and limited to Ojha misstating where was the webcam.

Comments

[Amanda Matthews]

06:07 AM on 03/06/2012

Ravi and the Wei 'person' should be forced to spend the next 30 years together in a cell. That would be okay right? I mean, it would be hetero and all.

[anne1stoftwo]

09:09 AM on 03/05/2012

They chose to bully Clementi and now they deserve to do the time. You can't invade privacy and mistreat folks for your good time. I hope that he goes to prison. I also feel she is just as guilty as he is and deserves to be punished. What a waste of life and space both of these clowns are to bullyl another human. I do blame them for his death. Totally.

[Phanessa Hydrick]

12:51 AM on 03/05/2012

This is just completely sad. For god's sake people, STOP THE BULLYING AND STOP THE HATE CRIMES!!!! What two people, no matter WHAT GENDER THEY ARE, is their D*** business! This man took his life over what your words/looks/judgments made him feel like. How can you even live with yourself???

[randinoel]

11:35 PM on 03/04/2012

clementi and mb's privacy was violated. clementi was of legal age, so we cant blame MB about all this and his suicide. Sure, being as MB was older and less-naive than most college kids are, he was not oblivious to the webcam being positioned on the computer or plain view.

[Learical]

05:43 PM on 03/04/2012

Oh, please. What he did seems to have been a major factor in this young man's suicide, whether he hated him or not. Stupid does not defer a death/life sentence. The young woman should face charges, also.

[villlager]

11:48 AM on 03/04/2012

I am surporised that posters here are blaming MB. that is just the defense's pathetic excuse for the homophpobic and immature Ravi.

[Cassandra Velasco]

07:16 AM on 03/05/2012

The real blame for this tragedy rests upon Rutgers University., a football tossing jock school that is strongest in Engineering and Law. In assigning roommates, they are dealing with youngsters, freshmen who have never lived away from their families before. Even an adult would not want to be pushed into a potentially compromising situation, like paying for a semi-private room on a cruise ship and finding out that the stranger in the other bunk is a flagrant and practicing homosexual. Ravi should have petitioned for another room at once, or moved out into a student rental in the community. But he was too inexperienced, at his age, to think of a better solution than making jokes and pulling pranks. I am so sorry that the gross insensitivity of the dorm administrator who assigned rooms and roommates led to the death of the young violinist.Roommate troubles and disputes are especially common in Freshman dorms. Clementi should not have tried to use his shared room for a tryst. Dorm rooms are supposed to be private, but they aren't! Some colleges try to keep control with rules against using dorms for any sort of sexual encounter, or even letting your brother or sister visit overnight instead of paying for lodging in a hotel. Like the others in this case, Clementi was too young to have mature judgment. I feel that Ravi's guilt is incidental and because of what Rutgers University set up, there may be many more ruined lives.

[villlager]

08:54 AM on 03/05/2012

flagrant and practicing homosexual? who uses terms like that in 2012?

[villlager]

11:27 AM on 03/04/2012

I think Ravi showed his arrogance by not accepting a plea deal.

[Karissa36]

04:18 PM on 03/04/2012

He is not a citizen, and any conviction will lead to him being deported.

[tybofborg]

05:45 PM on 03/04/2012

The plea deal included no jail time and no deportation.

[SuperBenFranklin]

08:09 AM on 03/04/2012

Ravi is clearly being tried for the murder of Clementi.

But as there are no charges, he is not allowed to defend himself against these charges. He can't even see the suicide note to help put his charges into perspective.

He has become the ultimate tragic scapegoat with everything that led up to Clementi's suicide (high school, parents, trysts with older men, society in general, etc) being cast aside to sharpen the focus and blame on this one event, this one kid.

Everyone in that court is guilty. And they are happy to have Ravi to deflect their own guilt.

Easier than confronting the larger, more complicated truth.

[joemondo]

09:32 AM on 03/04/2012

Nonsense.

There are no charges for Tyler's death, so there are NO PENALTIES for Tyler's death. There'a nothing to defend against.

He is only at risk for invasion of privacy, bias intimidation and tempering with a witness and evidence. Those are all independent of whether Tyler lived or died.

[Karissa36]

04:23 PM on 03/04/2012

Ravi would not have been charged if Tyler hadn't committed suicide, and a grossly distorted version of what occurred hadn't gone viral.

[grock13]

04:44 PM on 03/04/2012

Completely agree; well put.

[joemondo]

08:06 PM on 03/03/2012

Does anyone think Ravi will testify?

If so, how will he try to excuse his second attempt at webcam spying on his roommate and attempting to broadcast it?

[Karissa36]

09:18 PM on 03/04/2012

He might testify, since the whole story is already in front of the jury, and he has little to lose. The second attempt is his big problem. He will probably claim that he changed his mind at the last minute and disabled the camera before he left the room. The fact is you can think about robbing a bank, tell your friends you are going to rob a bank, drive to the bank, change your mind and never get out of the car, and be innocent of any crime. It's not a common defense, but it's probably his best one, since it can't be disproved. It could even be true. I haven't seen any evidence that Ravi tried to access his webcam that second night, which you would certainly think he would have, if he thought it was broadcasting.

[RickyJ]

06:49 PM on 03/03/2012

From the New Yorker article on the case (Feb. 6):
Judge Glenn Berman announced that he was denying the defense’s request to see various documents in the possession of the state, including a handwritten document—conceivably, a suicide note—found among Clementi’s things at Rutgers.

Doesn't New Jersey have reciprocal discovery laws? One would think a suicide note would explain plenty.

[joemondo]

07:15 PM on 03/03/2012

Ravi's not charged with Tyler's suicide.

[grock13]

04:46 PM on 03/04/2012

He might as well be.

[RickyJ]

08:23 PM on 03/03/2012

The note is probably relevant. From the New Yorker article, "Here the allegation, linked to snooping, is either that Ravi intended to harass Clementi because he was gay or that Clementi felt he’d been harassed for being gay". The suicide note probably casts light on this. The judge can refuse to allow the defense to introduce the note as evidence but in most US jurisdictions everything the prosecution has must be shared with the defense.

[Gonzo36]

10:17 PM on 03/03/2012

It is possible the note is not relevant. It could say something like, 'I love you mom and dad and I am sorry' and thats it. If it is something like that then it wouldn't be relevant and therefore not evidence. In addition, being as Tyler can't give testimony, often times notes like that cant be made evidence.

[carmenalex]

03:18 PM on 03/03/2012

For someone so uncomfortable with gay people, he sure liked to watch gay sex a lot.

[michelv]

07:06 PM on 03/03/2012

He supposedly told a bunch of others that it didn't bother him that his roommate was gay.

[blueskies99]

08:46 PM on 03/03/2012

They all lied.

[sdave]

11:44 AM on 03/04/2012

That was my understanding as well......obviously behind his back it was a different story...

[tybofborg]

02:47 PM on 03/03/2012

"The sex partner can be a thief, a drug adict, a HIV patient, a psych patient, a depressed one" - that can apply to ANY sex partner brought into a shared room. Still, it happens all the time. The habit of people living in shared rooms giving it up from time to time so the other person can have sex in privacy is well established. In any case, the roommate is responsible for his guest.

If Ravi had a problem with Clementi's sex partner, or needed the room to study or sleep, he could have said "no". He had all the right in the world to know what happens in the room by staying in it. He agreed to leave the room and set up the covert surveillance instead. Besides, the fact that he pointed the camera at Clementi's bed reveals that he wasn't at all worried about what might happen on his side of the room, he wanted to observe, and allow others to observe, Clementi having sex, which is clearly illegal.

[joemondo]

03:05 PM on 03/03/2012

Ravi had the right to say he didn't want to leave the room.

Ravi had no right to covertly webcam them after agreeing to give them privacy. He broke school policy, and the law.

[rsttho557949]

01:26 PM on 03/03/2012

If one studies some of the response on this topics can see elements of racism and intolerance towards the two "co-conspirators" against Tyler. This, to me, illustrates that bias is a part of all human beings DNA and noting on this planet can make a person "perfect", culturally sensitive and prejudicial. I'd be upset, heart broken, mad and very disappointed if my freshman daughter was feverishly scouring through some male web sites to find a man to screw her as soon as she left home. I'd be looking for the grown man that had accepted her invitation and got her mind so confused that she thought that she was "in love" with the pedophile. but there is a curse on children that do not honor their parents (Exodus 20:12) and one everyone that disrespects sexual activity (1 Corinthians 6:18). In doing those two things, Tyler signed his own death warrant.

[tybofborg]

02:21 PM on 03/03/2012

You might want to read up on the definition of pedophilia.

[rsttho557949]

03:26 PM on 03/03/2012

You make a valid point. here is my point. We know, scientifically ( and with years of common sense observations) that a teenager does not have the same kind of mind that an adult have. This is INDEPENDENT of life experiences but has everything to do with brain maturation. Now I realize that in many states the drinking age has been dropped to 18 from 21 (when I was a kid) and that is criminal. The age drop, of course, was a business move to expand the market for more profits. Tyler played with fire (sexual immorality) and couldn’t handle the repercussions of immorality (invasion of privacy, guilt shame, embarrassment, inviting strange people into his life and regret) 1 Corinthians 6:18). I’m saying that the man Tyler invited into his room took advantage of him and helped maintain his level of confusion . and is common with most pedophiles, Tyler upon getting busted, was probably more interested in protecting the pedophile than exposing him. It’s clear to me what events led to Tyler’s death:
1. Wanton behavior
2. “double life”- not the “wholesome” gay guy
3. Involvement with an older man
4. Guilt , shame and regret

The parents and certain people of the public want it to be a “hate crime” It’s a repercussion issue.

[joemondo]

03:06 PM on 03/03/2012

Tyler and his partner were both adults, dunce.

[rsttho557949]

03:53 PM on 03/03/2012

"Tyler and his partner were both adults, dunce."

No, Tyler was a teenager with a responsive mind and his pedophile "partner" was the adult.

Once upon a time when people used good sense, the drinking age or going off to war was when a person was 21. Now that lines up with science that the adult brain doesn't come into existence until about 23 years of age. Some people believe that when a person reaches 18 that they are 'adult" and that is so far from he truth. The only truth is that at 18 they can get buy alcohol or join the armed services play GI Joe and get killed in combat (or mutilated) 3 years earlier in Afghanistan.

You just keep telling yourself that Tyler and "his partner" were adults.

[RickyJ]

01:22 PM on 03/03/2012

According to abcnews, "Clementi, 18 ,left a suicide note, but its contents have not been revealed and he is not charged in connection with Clementi's death". One would think that its contents are very relevant to the issues of this trial. It could confirm or refute the maliciousness of Ravi's actions.

[Caffeine89]

01:08 PM on 03/04/2012

wouldn't be relevent if it was something like "Mom, Sorry for doing this, its not your fault"
And... Given hes no on trial for murder, I dont understand how it would be relevent.
Why do people keep saying that?
Honest question, I keep seeing it posted but havent seen anyone explain why his reasons for death would have standing in the trial that is centered on cyber bullying and potential hate crime.

[TheReignbeaux]

01:09 PM on 03/03/2012

Am I the only one who is disturbed by the way the "suicide" was commited? Although so may things about this case bother me, the worst is that the unfortuate young man "jumped of the GW bridge". If history tells us anything, it's that this would be one of the last ways a homosexual man would choose to end his life. I am more inclined to believe Tyler was thrown off the bridge, possibly during an encounter with Ravi to stop the complaints against him. I can only hope I live long enough to see the law finally catch up to the technical age in which we live.

[Karissa36]

01:34 PM on 03/03/2012

The technical age is catching up fast. Ravi sent two texts to Tyler just after he jumped off the bridge. Like phone calls, texts are routed through phone towers. If Ravi had been near the bridge, his texts would have been routed through nearby towers, so I don't think your theory is correct.

[TheReignbeaux]

03:39 PM on 03/03/2012

Just because Ravi's phone wasn't there doesn't mean Ravi wasn't there...