chanel
Silver Member
The future of Dharun Ravi, a former Rutgers University student charged with secretly viewing his roommate in a sexual encounter with another man, could rest on how jurors interpret his actions.
In opening arguments Friday at Ravi's trial, a Superior Court jury heard two versions of a case that gay-rights advocates say underscores the problems of harassment and bullying faced by homosexual teenagers. The story attracted international attention after Ravi's roommate, Tyler Clementi, 18, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge days after learning that Ravi had used a laptop webcam to spy on him with a man.
McClure called Ravi's actions "malicious and criminal," and argued that he set out to harass and intimidate Clementi because he was gay.
Ravi, who will turn 20 on Tuesday, is not a bigot and is not homophobic, Altman said.
At the time of the incidents described in the criminal case, he said, his client was "an 18-year-old boy" beginning his first year in college. Ravi "might have been stupid," Altman said, "but he certainly wasn't a criminal."
Trial begins for former Rutgers student Ravi
Being somewhat familiar with the stupidity of 18 year old boys, I don't believe Ravi should have to spend 10 years in jail. On the other hand, I do believe there should be consequences - even for stupidity.
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