Dharun Ravi Feels 'Very Sorry About Tyler' Clementi: Interview

Dharun Ravi says he's "very sorry about" Tyler Clementi, his Rutgers University roommate who committed suicide in 2010.

Breaking more than a year of silence, Dharun Ravi spoke for the first time about spying on his gay former roommate Tyler Clementi and insisted he's not homophobic.

Clementi committed suicide in September 2010, days after Ravi spied on him in a romantic encounter with another man using a videocamera planted in their dorm room.

Last Friday, a New Jersey jury convicted Ravi, an ex-Rutgers University student on 15 charges, including bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and evidence tampering.

"I'm very sorry about Tyler," Ravi told the Star-Ledger. "I have parents and a little brother, and I can only try to imagine how they feel. But I want the Clementis to know I had no problem with their son. I didn’t hate Tyler and I knew he was okay with me. I wanted to talk to his parents, but I was afraid. I didn’t know what to say.

These are some of the first words from Ravi, 20, who had publicly held his tongue since his arrest weeks into his freshman year.

Ravi spoke expansively with the Star-Ledger in an interview published today as he awaits sentencing on May 21. He faces 10 years in prison and possible deportation to India, where he was born.

Ravi didn't face charges for killing Clementi. The trial focused on his behavior towards his roommate in the days before he died.

Ravi wrote on Twitter about catching a glimpse of his gay roommate's love life. When Clementi requested private use of their dorm room again for another date, Ravi invited friends to tune in to his webcam for a broadcast.

Clementi complained to dorm officials when he learned of Ravi's intrusion and committed suicide by jumping from the George Washington Bridge.

Prosecutors offered Ravi a plea deal that included no prison sentence, but Ravi turned it down in December.

"I'm never going to regret not taking the plea," Ravi said in the interview. "If I took the plea, I would have had to testify that I did what I did to intimidate Tyler and that would be a lie. I won't ever get up there and tell the world I hated Tyler because he was gay, or tell the world I was trying to hurt or intimidate him because it's not true."

Ravi was raised in Plainsboro, an ethnically diverse suburb in the Garden State. He said the multitude of nationalities prevented people from forming prejudiced opinions, although it wasn't until he enrolled at Rutgers that he encountered gay people.

After using a webcam activated from a friend's dorm room, Ravi tweeted about seeing Clementi "kissing a dude," and invited friends to a "viewing party" when he learned his roommate planned a second tryst with the man identified only as "M.B."

But Ravi insisted that he only spied the first time because he thought M.B. was a suspicious character, because of his scruffy appearance and unfriendly demeanor. Later, when police said Clementi disappeared, Ravi said he feared M.B. was behind it.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE RUTGERS WEBCAM SPY CASE:

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)

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Comments

[raani12]

06:19 PM on 05/08/2012

Before anyone in this country go about to insult another culture..especially the MOST ancient in the world..INCREDIBLE INDIA!!! they ought to think...INCREDIBLE AMERICA would not exist if it weren't for its most neglected NATIVES...how dare you claim yourself an "American"..Who are you to take ownership!!!! BRAVO to all the NATIVES of this land..in all of their MODESTY!!!

To you hypocrites out there.. who are prepared to insult the best of our worlds for your own selfish gain..and, in using a most sad crime to do so!!!

[ananndii]

07:57 PM on 05/17/2012

You are absolutely correct. India is the best country period.

[raani12]

03:55 PM on 05/08/2012

If any groups of individuals wish to protest..this is their given rights..To haul down an entire culture in all of is WORLDLY wisdom can never be tolerated.. Shame on you..You make the far right look compassionate!!!!

P.S. Go ahead and not post this...as I said before it is saved for the entire world to view in the very near future..Hypocrites!!! Want your rights but others should not be allowed to speak!!! I am an INDEPENDENT simply because I view the extreme right the same as your hypocritical extreme left!!!

[raani12]

03:54 PM on 05/08/2012

I understand that Huffington Post has no interest in posting my concerns as per the ABUSIVE manner to an entire culture of Hindustani...Indians throughout the world..This media in allowing the most damaging attacks on a most ancient culture and the most ancient democracy is in highly offensive..LET ME MAKE MYSELF CLEAR AGAIN!!!! MR. RAVI LIKE ANY OFFENDER OF THE LAW MUST PAY FOR HIS CRIME!!!!! However that Huffington Post intentionally geared individuals of the CLEARLY GAY POPULATION by which to intentionally insight much more hate than Mr. Ravi could have done is democratically unaccepted in any culture which claims to be civil,,Now this media has permitted the poisoning of thousands of minds against Indians who happen to HINDUSTANI as though Mr. Ravi's crime ought to shake down an entire people and its culture of most ancient wisdom..whereby the ENTIRE world gain inspiration..A small example..who does not use yoga and its various systems for the sake of their health... This is only minute example!!!! How dare Huffington Post insult my culture, my tradition my philosophy and the entire Indian population!! YOU allowed, permitted, and instigated the majority of your commentators for many weeks now to insult my culture on the name of Mr. RAVI. This is not acceptable. Huffington Post ought to be embarrassed of its action especially when it was clearly instigated for the purpose of "gay rights protest and activities" as the political timing and climate was on spot. Indeed adventuresome!!!

[dws51564]

01:59 PM on 03/25/2012

I think we should play a game. How many rationalizations and excuses can people find for Ravi's behavior? After that we can play the how many of them were effective in court? The first game will take forever the second one will take a few seconds and is the only one that counts. We often don't agree with the conclusions of due process but we all agree to live by them. What else needs to be or can be said that is truly relevant?

[dwayner]

01:17 PM on 03/26/2012

hahahahahaha. Your way of thinking is polluted with something.

[dws51564]

04:37 PM on 03/26/2012

So basically you fall into both categories I stated plus a side order of homophobia. Congratulation you hit the bigot three of a kind. However, the jury has a full house. The BIG house

[Mafdet]

12:09 AM on 03/25/2012

It's too bad that he went down the path of claiming he only viewed Clementi and his guest because he was suspicious of the guest. After all, he set up the webcam, with the assistance of a friend who helped him focus it on the bed, before he knew who the guest was.  I don't really think that upper middle class kids know how to hate.  I think the closest that the privileged come to hate is a form of mean-girls-syndrome.  But when people pay over 50K for an education and have to share a room that's a bit bigger than a closet, they don't need the added stress of some jerk trying to get their peers to mob up and ridicule them daily.  I'm fine with the sentence Ravi received.  He should have taken the deal.

[damasg]

06:28 AM on 04/08/2012

The article has Ravi referring to the guest's "scruffy appearance and unfriendly demeanor". Suggests that he met the "guest" face to face. & btw it's ok for people to pay 50K for a "closet" and being asked to leave that twice in three days till after midnight.

[badwolf62]

10:19 PM on 03/24/2012

There's just a few people that don't understand plea bargaining. Ravi was offered a deal whereby most of the charges would be dropped if he agreed to plead guilty to privacy violations, community service (600 hours) , bias and possible deportation but no jail time. He refused it.because it contained the word bias..Now he stands convicted of all the charges including bias, faces 10 years in prison and almost certain deportation. Some people think he was right to not accept the plea deal because he says he not BIAS. Good job Ravi. Now you are convicted of it and 14 more charges and instead of being on probation and possibly being allowed to stay in the Country you get to go to the big house in NJ and when released have a plane ticket waiting to New Dehli...enjoy the trip!

[Mafdet]

12:14 AM on 03/25/2012

I think he didn't take the deal because the prosecutors who offered it had no authority to keep him from being deported and their recommendation would have meant nothing to the Federal authorities who would have been pressured by Clementi's family and the gay community to deport Ravi.  So Ravi concluded that he should go to trial because if he lost, he would still be deported - same as if he took the deal.  And there was the possibility he would be acquitted.  I think he was not acquitted for but one reason:  He didn't take responsibility for what he did.  It was obvious that he wanted to hurt Clementi, hate aside, and he should have just said so.  Everyone understands the mean-girls-syndrome.

[badwolf62]

12:57 AM on 03/25/2012

I agree with most of what you said. Ravi never really took any responsibility for what he did and didn't think he did anything so bad. If he had taken the plea deal I doubt he would have been deported and most people would have been satisfied with admission of bias, the community service and after the media died down would have just moved on. By sensationalizing it in the media, forcing it to trial and not showing any remorse, Ravi was bound to lose and now is faced with jail, a large fine and being a convicted Felon almost guarantee's deportation. Had he not have tampered with witnesses or evidence he might have had a chance in court but those two charges and ultimate convictions are something that irritates judges, juries and the FEDS.. if you take responsibility for what you have done Courts are more lenient, when you try to cover it up thyey become more stringent. No matter what now, Ravi is a convicted Felon and will probably get some jail time, a fine and Deported.

[Tenjikuronin]

03:29 PM on 03/29/2012

Dharun Ravi is South Indian, he would not be sent to New Delhi.

[badwolf62]

04:04 PM on 03/29/2012

who cares? I don't care where they send him as long as he goes!!!!

[dws51564]

09:39 PM on 03/24/2012

So instead of getting up in front of the jury and expressing his feeling he goes on T.V. after he is found guilty. Once a coward always a coward. The rules seem to change when he doesn't have to worry about cross examination under oath.

[Mitchell Glaser]

06:16 PM on 03/24/2012

So now this guy is all sympathy for his roommate's family. Where was his sympathy for his roommate when he exposed the guy to public humiliation? And where was his sympathy when he pressured witnesses and destroyed evidence to escape punishment? I'm glad he didn't take the plea bargain.

[badwolf62]

10:37 PM on 03/24/2012

I'm glad he didn't take the plea deal too. Now he dosn't have to admit bias to stay out of jail, instead they proved he was bias and he can go to jail.

[In your Rear View Mirror]

03:33 PM on 03/24/2012

Enjoy prison life Ravi. You'll get yours in the end.

[Jim in California]

04:05 PM on 03/30/2012

No pun intended?

[badwolf62]

10:03 AM on 03/24/2012

Information only:
A 3rd degree witness tampering (lowest) conviction carries a 3-5 year sentence under New Jersey N.J.S.A 2C:29.3 and a $15000.00 fine
Evidence tampering 4th degree (lowest) carries a minmum sentence of 18 months and possible fine.
If the Judge throws out all other 13 convictions (unlikely) Ravi would get 4 1/2 years in prison. under NJ law a convicted Felon must serve 85% of his sentence to be released, that's 3 years and 8 months.
Ravi admitted to witness tampering and evidence tampering and there is no doubt of his GUILT.

[dws51564]

07:10 PM on 03/25/2012

In other words he would do serious time in jail and possibly be deported even if he wasn't found guilty of bias intimination. I have been making this point all along. If you notice this is the reason why Ravi supporters have been trying to down play what he did as an immature prank. Since when did spying on someone during sexual relations become nothing more than a prank? Oh and he did it twice.

[badwolf62]

07:43 PM on 03/25/2012

true. the bias intimidation is only one charge, there are 14 more. Just the witness and evidence tampering could get him jail time. those 2 charges anger Judges more than people know. Ant "Felony" conviction can be cause for deportation. this was no prank. Ravi intended to humiliate and embarrass Tyler and that's not a joke or prank. Ravi's apology is what the joke is because he has been convicted. if Ravi had been acquitted his attitude would be that of I told you so.

[Will Moser]

08:24 AM on 03/24/2012

The Tyler Clementi suicide gives the world a rare viewing into the agony, struggle, and fear that many gay teens experience. Even enlightened straight people, who believe that being gay is "no big deal" should take notice. For many gays, especially teens, it is a "big deal". Not only do you have to accept that you are forever different than about 90% of the world's population, you also need to face the fact that many expectations that you had for yourself, and that your family, especially mother and father, had for you are forever changed. As if that's not enough, you then are faced with the daunting challenge of "coming out", risking further rejection, ridicule, and even physical harm, and in some instances, disownment by family members. It's no wonder that the suicide rate among gay teens is more than twice that of the national average of straight teens. It is likely that Tyler would have come to peace with his sexuality, as many others have, but Dahrum Ravi's planned, thought-out, and methodical exposure short-circuited Tyler's process. For Ravi to assert that Tyler's public humiliation at his hand had little to do with Tyler's suicide is callus and arrogant. His sentencing should reflect that reality.

[Susan Davids]

11:35 AM on 03/25/2012

Clementi began the whole problem by celebrating his gayness in sight of other students, by inviting the older guy not once but three times to the dorm room. Had he been so sensitive as you describe, or "intimidated" as his supporters choose to believe, would he have done the same actions repeatedly. He even communicated to his online friend at JustUsBoys that he was not happy with the fact that Ravi's friends enquired of Ravi whether he was ok, instead of telling him off for watching Clementi and his new contact through the webcam for a few seconds. He had also said in response to his online friend's query that he had saved Ravi's twitter messages, but he did not think he had enough to get Ravi into trouble. Another similar remark of Clementi was that "white guys don't get discriminated against, lol". Further, he had mentioned to his online friend that although his father was ok with his orientation, his mother rejected it completely. Clementi's suicide note 3 pages long, and his other documents with titles such as "sorry", "why is everything so painful" and "gah" should be released. They will throw a lot of light on his mental condition.

[dws51564]

01:14 PM on 03/25/2012

Even the defense had enough sense not to blame the victim.

[SuperBenFranklin]

07:49 AM on 03/24/2012

It is amazing how the mob with torches are so caught up with hanging Ravi, they could really care less about Tyler and why he really did commit suicide.

Because sorry, Ravi was not it. Even based on Tyler's own writings, he was annoyed but not distraught. He handled it properly, even had a second date, and even said that Ravi's not that bad a roommate. And the second time, nothing was recorded. So from Tyler's point of view, his roommate saw him kissing his boyfriend, and then the second time, he just unplugged the computer. No sex tape. No viewing party. Nothing happened. And a couple of posts on twitter? I'm sure Tyler heard much much worse going through high school.

So what really caused Tyler's death? What caused Tyler who was out of high school, coming into his own, got a boyfriend, parents have been told, has his own brother gay too for support, in college, invited to the orchestra... sure his roommate was being jerky (get in line) but I mean, high school was over, his future was ahead of him, and Tyler's life was heading in a good direction.

What on earth caused Tyler to kill himself? I really think society needs to figure this out. You just can't let someone who had a good future ahead of himself, think his only future is jumping off a bridge, and not figure out what caused it. Ravi was definitely not it.

Doesn't anyone care?

[dwayner]

12:26 PM on 03/24/2012

While I haven't agreed with many of your posts and particularly you attempts to trivialize what Ravi did, I can agree with much of this post. I would point out, that we don't know what Clementi endured during high school. That's purely speculation on your part. I would also point out that Clementi handling the invasion of his privacy well, doesn't negate the first or the attempted second time. As to your statements asking the question why Clementi killed himself when a promising future appeared to be before him, I do care and would think it worth investigating (as much as a suicide can be) the myriad events and emotions that cause a person to feel this is the only solution.

[joemondo]

04:17 PM on 03/24/2012

Ravi isn't charged with Tyler's death, so that was a long post of no relevance.

[SuperBenFranklin]

08:28 PM on 03/24/2012

Sure, Ravi sitting in a jail for 10 years would have happened even of Tyler didn't kill himself. I mean give it up, trying to disconnect the suicide from the treatment Ravi is getting is silly.

[bridgeman]

01:22 AM on 03/24/2012

The victims have become the victimizers...

This kid made a huge mistake but, the untruths told about him are just as egregious.

one wrong doesn't justify another wrong.

PC is social PCP

[badwolf62]

02:16 AM on 03/24/2012

There is no wrong in what the Jury found. Both sides of this arguement knew the Law and the rules long before it went to trial. The Judge understood the Law before he allowed it to proceed to trial and defined it for the Jury prior to deliberations being complete. Ravi stands convicted of 15 counts (FELONY) and he has no one to blame but himself and his own actions for the outcome of the trial. He refused the plea deal believing he could deceive the Jury into accepting his story after tampering with witnesses and evidence. Those two charges alone can get him jail time. Kid? By law he is no kid at 18 but an adult that can sign legal documents, buy property, vote and be held accountable for his actions. The Jury did just that. Now Ravi can face the consequences of what he did in May. You decide to go to Court, you do so at your own risk and live with the verdict! Ravi gets what he deserves in may.

[SuperBenFranklin]

07:30 AM on 03/24/2012

Just like society, you put invent motives and put the, in his head.

You still don't understand that Ravi did not take the deal because it forced him to admit bias which he did not have.

And that most people believe that the jury got it wrong on the bias charges.

So this Ravi does not deserve the punishment he gets.

But for you, who cares about truth and justice, as long as you have scapegoat to hang.

[bridgeman]

10:33 AM on 03/24/2012

This will backfire...watch

[joemondo]

04:18 PM on 03/24/2012

Which "untruth"?

[Gay Iberian]

12:59 AM on 03/24/2012

If you feel sorry about what you did to Tyler, which I don't believe, imagine how his parents and whole family feel about it.

[SuperBenFranklin]

07:32 AM on 03/24/2012

As his religious parents were most likely to source of Tyler's troubles more than Ravi ever was, I'm sure they feel relieved to have someone to deflect the blame away from themselves. They can avoid the hard questions and just blame Ravi like the rest of society.

[badwolf62]

09:38 AM on 03/24/2012

yeah, society blaming Ravi for his own actions and 15 crimes he committed and was found GUILTY of. Imagine that! Ravi was never charged with anything realated to Tyler's death so try telling the truth, even AFTER THE FACT!

[dws51564]

07:50 PM on 03/24/2012

Assume much? Speculate more. The basis of all your posts.

[shupper]

12:10 AM on 03/24/2012

I watched the interview. This young man is very comfortable.He is at peace with himself. How screwed up is that?

[SuperBenFranklin]

07:33 AM on 03/24/2012

Because he knows what he did was nothing like what the media reported and that it did now at all lead to Tyler's death.

[badwolf62]

09:31 AM on 03/24/2012

BS on the media claim. The Jury held him accountable and he's just trying to soften the blow at sentencing.

[shupper]

11:16 AM on 03/24/2012

He did precisely what was reported in the media. He does not contest it.

[dws51564]

07:46 PM on 03/24/2012

Are you surprised this arrogant young man has rationalized his actions.