E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Chip East / Reuters
Dharun Ravi, right, convicted of a hate crime for using a webcam to spy on his roommate's gay tryst, leaves Middlesex County jail with his attorney, Steve Altman left, Tuesday in North Brunswick, N.J.
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi, convicted of bias crimes for using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's sexual encounter, was released from a New Jersey jail on Tuesday after serving 20 days of his 30-day sentence.
Ravi, 20, clean-shaven when he entered prison, left looking unshaven when his lawyer, Steven Altman, picked him up from the Middlesex County jail shortly after 8:30 a.m. ET. They left from a side exit and avoided a throng of media awaiting his release. Ravi did not comment as he left.
Ravi began his jail term on May 31 after being convicted March 15 of bias crimes for using a computer-mounted dorm room webcam to spy on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, 18, and an older man Clementi met online. Days after learning that Ravi had snooped on him and used social media to urge others to watch as well, Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010.
Ravi automatically was given five days off for good behavior and five for working, allowing him to leave after serving 20 days of his 30-day sentence imposed by Judge Glenn Berman, who could have given him a 10-year prison sentence. Ravi still faces three years of probation, plus more than $11,000 in fines and assessments, 300 hours of community service, and counseling.
AFP - Getty Images
Tyler Clementi in one of his Facebook profile pictures obtained Sept. 30, 2010.
Prosecutors are appealing the sentence, arguing that Ravi should have to serve more time for his actions. Ravi is appealing the conviction, saying he is not guilty.
Ravi will start paying off the fines and begin working on the community service part of his sentence, his lawyer said.
His time in jail was nearly as long as his time as a Rutgers student. He could have sought to stay out of jail during his appeal.
On Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they would not seek to deport Ravi, an Indian citizen who has lived most of his life in the United States.
See earlier coverage of the Dharun Ravi-Tyler Clementi case
The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart talks with msnbc's Alex Wagner about the sentencing of Dharun Ravi for spying on his roommate's gay tryst.
The Associated Press and Reuters contibuted to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
convicted of a Bias Crime? How PC we have become. It was voyeurism not a hate crime.
this creep should be tared and feathered & deported
And watch all the haters come alive in here now!!!! Newsvine at its finest!!!!
I hope this experience has left an impression on this young man's mind. He has brought pain to a lot of people, not only the family & friends of the boy who killed himself but also his own family. This is a country made up of people with different beliefs, cultures, ethnicities and we must help our children appreciate those differences instead of condemn them.
If I did something like this that caused another person so much pain that he killed himself, I'd don't know if I'd ever get over the shame and guilt. Asking for another roommate would have been a better choice than harassing someone to death. If you don't like someone, remove yourself--don't kill them.
I'm also a proud American Veteran. This was just voyeurism UNTIL he posted it on the web and invited others to watch. Then he stepped all over the man's personal and civil rights. I agree with A Broadcaster.
I've spoken to many people about this case and they all say kids do NOT bother to think of the consequences of their actions. His culture is a factor...remember, he is NOT an American citizen...His parents have raised him to think he is superior and can do no wrong. His mother was crying in court because he wasn't eating.
It was more than voyeurism and more than just a 'prank'. Wie accepted responsibility and accepted the consequences. I have no doubt that she will think twice before allowing herself to become involved in the smallest 'prank'.
We can only hope that he now sees things a little differently. If he doesn't, perhaps he should move back to his country.
I agree with Kevin in NY (and I am also a veteran and about as conservative as they come)
Here's another way to look at it - take away the fact that the roommate was gay and imagine if this kid put a camera in your daughter's room, taped her in an intimate encounter with a man and then published it on the web and she killed herself. He would have been doing a lot more than 20 days in prison.
At the very least, deport him.
I hope he can somehow in the future get over his hatred for the differences in people. The only place where we may affect real change is within ourselves and not within others. I do believe this person got off way too lightly.
whoknow,
This has happened several times. research it: -
Here's another way to look at it - take away the fact that the roommate was gay and imagine if this kid put a camera in your daughter's room, taped her in an intimate encounter with a man and then published it on the web and she killed herself. He would have been doing a lot more than 20 days in prison.
They got no time in jail at all. This whole thing was a PC stunt for homo's and homo sympathizers....
You people never actually get your facts straight do you. He never published anything on the internet!!. He invited some of his college buddies to a video chat with him, in the end only one other girl viewed the video feed with ravi, nothing was recorded and nothing ever made it to the internet. Deport him for what? you thinking straight? im my opinion this guy is wrongfully convicted. No one knows why Celementi killed himself, and that is why Ravi wasn't tried for charges relating to Celementi's suicide, for all we know he may have had a falling-out with his boy friend. In fact after the video incident happened and after Clementi found out about it, Celmenti brought his boy friend back to the same dorm room. The only reason this was even a case is because Celementi was gay and all of gay America went up in flames after hearing of this news. Far worse stuff happens on college dorms than this and no one ever cares, frat boys record videos and collect suvineres at every possible event, walks of shame happen every day its just what happens at colleges.
He should have been given much more time (like 3to -6 months) and serviced every single minute if it.But it should not matter the sexual orientation of the other person.
Ravi is out of jail? EXCELLENT. Now he and his worthless little family that thinks they are SOOOOO much better than everyone else can go back to their own country. I heard life in India is tops! So awesome that we here in the US could never hope to compare to the opulence. It's a veritable oasis of opportunity isn't it? Everyone there is so amazing that they have every right to lord their superiority over everyone else don't they?
Lol.. India is an armpit. Perfect for douchebags like Ravi & family. They should enjoy it, savor the stench.. 'cause a whole bunch of Americans don't want them here anymore and I'm with 'em.
Until someone does it to you.
***********************************************************************************
********************************* Why did he get out of being DEPORTED ? He is an illegal.
***********************************************************************************
Can we as Americans grow up a little? There was a time when we solved our problems man to man, not through litigation and definitely not by jumping off a bridge.
No, no, no, this is too much to ask. Continue to sue and press charges on everything and everybody because they 'wronged' you. Gone are the days when men, whether that's a gay man, straight man, bi-man, woman-man, acted like men.
The courts have more important things to worry about then your fragile egos and taste for vengeance
It was only Clementi's sexual orientation that made him a target. Ravi thought it was OK to spy on and then humiliate him because of who he chose to have sex with. I see that as a problem, whatever the gender or sexual orientation of the individuals.
Ravi shamed Clementi and drove him to suicide as surely as pre-teen and teenage bullies target and abuse other kids. He's just older--too old to behave that way, especially WHEN HE IS A GUEST IN OUR COUNTRY! How dare he (and his family,) come to our country and exhibit anything less than politically correct behavior!?!
Forget the jail time, forget the fines--send him and his whole family back to their own country where they can hate to the extent their culture encourages and/or allows. It has no place here!!
How do you know what was in this young mans' mind? And I am not defending him. I think he was wrong. But how do we know he watched because it was two men? How do we know he would not do thie same if it were a man and woman? We don't. That is why I do not agree with so called "hate crimes". How do any of us know what is in someones heart or mind? and period.
Lee2-3538213
Oh, for God's sake, get your facts right! He was a legal permanent resident, not illegal........
He wasn't illegal and it doesn't pertain to anything regarding this case...by saying this you are doing the same thing you are accusing him of..hating someone due to their sexual orientation or race...get off of it.
I know being a perfect American makes it so none of us ever commit crimes..get a grip..what a bunch of self rightousness crap..I know plenty of Americans born and raised here in the USA who have committed crimes that were much worse..maybe even worthy of being discussed.
@ Blueburner. You are absolutely correct.
It was HATE and NO he didn't serve enough time. We can only hope 'what goes around comes around' and Karma will one day kick his butt.
Smug, arrogant son of a b!tch should have been locked up alot longer and then deported to whatever country he came from!!!!
Just because you spy on the girl undressing in her bedroom next door doesn't mean you hate her.
No, but it's invasion of privacy and if caught you'll be arrested. If you videotape her and post it on youtube, you will be arrested and convicted of a felony sex crime. This was a little bit more than just spying on his roommate. He made it a public show for the purpose of humiliating him. It was egregious harassment. If someone had done this to you during your most intimate moments and posted it on the web, I bet you'd make a beeline to the nearest lawyer and police station.
At least the guy who committed suicide won't have to suffer the "up the butt" pain anymore.
I beleive that Tyler would have comitted suicide sometime in his lifetime, even if this had not happened. People who chose that route are cowards who look for the easiest way out and blame someone else for their problems. My brother in law took the cowards route and if I could have said one thing to him before he went, it would have been FU for what this family will go through so you dont have to deal with it. What was he going to do? never come out, and hide his homosexuallity forever. If your gay be proud, isn't that what it's all about.
Not everyone is as tough as your are. Some people are more sensitive, more fragile. We all have different pain threshholds. Blaming the victims is just another way of excusing bad behavior.
Not all homosexuals commit suicide. Most have learned to live happy, productive lives among people who have put their prejeudices aside. But anybody can be tortured to the point of wanting the ultimate relief of pain.
who pays for it...I hear the pain in your words, as harsh as they are, that is the reality for the family left behind...but please...calling someone who commits suicide a coward is unfair.
I have, many times in my life, cried in anguish that being dead would be better than whatever I was dealing with at the time...and yet somehow, imagining the aftermath not only made me cry harder but made me realize it was NOT the answer.
Not everyone has that within themselves...not everyone has what they feel is a loving support system...or the desire to continue living.
I do hope this young man finally feels some remorse for his fellow human beings. I'm sure this was nowhere near what he expected back when he was busy setting up to video his roommate, but it's about time he becomes an adult and learns how to look down the road before taking the first step.
They truly accept Karma as a part of religious beliefs in India. Hopefully, he and his family will return there and Karma can kick their a------es.
This kind of stuff is what happens when you home school your kid, put him through private school, or don't allow him to experience what the world is like past the white picket fence. That goes for both of them.
he is lucky but it is against the law to evesdrop without a warrart and since he is illegal deport him he and his whole family r parasites and shud be investigated americans have had enough of theseillegals
It's already been announced that he will not be deported.
he wasn't illegal...he was a student at a university...he had a student's visa making him legal resident
If you mean "warrant", I thought dubya said it was ok to eavesdrop after 9/11.
Shud? Sweet Mother of Jesus.
He's a ex-con now...nothing but hard times rest of his life. GOOD!
LOL undecuated fo sure.
Oh the irony...
Irony in that you take an intentional spelling mistake and comment on it, LOL the irony my man is quite correct. Want a cookie? Language troll please stick to topic.
How can it be evesdropping if he could have just walked into 'his' room and seen the two of them? It is a common room and you only have so much privacy.
Seeing and recording to share are two different things.
Have you ever spent time in a college dorm room? Usually roommates tell the other that they would like to be alone in the room for a few hours and the roommate will make himself scarce for that time. So he would not have just walked into "his" room and seen the two of them.
What a waste. Now that he is an ex-con, the money that was given to Rutgers for his degree, is no more important then the toilet paper you would find in any bathroom. This guy could have had it all.
That wont stop him from anything, I am an excon and own a rocking successful business. You think jail actually wrecks your chance in life??? LOL, only an idiot lets that happen.
Rocky-road.....Good for you!!!
Amen Rocky, it is the worthless ones that let it stand in the way of a decent life... When convicted isn't it meant to rehabilitate, meaning making them come out a productive citizen.
Hi - 5 Rocky!
Hmm, Holy Mother Mary, it's 30 days already, that was fast, wasn't it like three weeks ago he was sent to jail.
If you had read the article, you would know it was 20 days - which is less than 3 weeks.
Sam, I do believe Antonio was being sarcastic about only serving 20 of 30 days.
Sam Adams is so fast to attack others on anything possible. Is it possible you actually have a life?
Not his fault the kid killed himself, wow some people are just haters glad you are not my friends, nor would you ever be. So the kid filmed him and disgraced him big freakin deal no need to take your life man for that there is no excuse whatsoever. Loss of life due to a weak spine is no need to hang someone else. But most a the trolls scream blood for whatever reason possible so the flame begins.
I usually wouldn't agree with you, but, geez, this was totally blown out of proportion; if you want to point fingers at someone, point them at the suicide kids Catholic parents who probably are why he was so freaked out about someone finding out that he was gay. But honestly, life is hard, and if teasing (and that is what this was, not bullying) makes you kill yourself, I'm not sure you were equipped to make it through this world.
Jerk deserves prinson time, long term.
I agree w/ rocky road...his parents wouldn't talk to him, that probably did a lot more damage than Dharun Ravi could of ever done... what Dharun Ravi did was wrong and was most likely the tipping point for tyler but no way it was a hate/bias crime...there was no way dharun could forsee the events that followed including tyler taking his own life. plenty of kids get caught having sex at school. its what happens and happened to me, did i take my own life...no...there where a number of underlying issues with tyler, i don't know who a jury can convict a person when this was clearly a built up over time....if Ravi was persistent each and every day about tyler's personal actions and sexuality, instead it was a simple harmless COLLEGE PRANK..the immature, 18 year old Ravi made a mistake, just like most kids do,... its crazy that so many people think he is to blame for all of it
rocky road you insensitive piece of @!$%#. The immaturity consumes you wow.
You're such a smart ass, let it have been you and see how you could have lived with it.
This is serious matter and you amung others dont get it.
Gotta agree with Rocky here. The kid took his own life BY CHOICE. Yeah, Ravi is a dips**t, but honestly, I don't think I would have been too happy as a straight guy having 2 guys in my SHARED room playing hide the sausage either. The fact is the gay lifestyle will never- let me repeat that -N.E.V.E.R. be 100% accepted in this country- as such, you are going to have stuff like this happen.
The greater crime is the kid killed himself for supposedly being gay. What happened to the "gay, and proud of it" mantra thats been shoved down America's throat for the last 10 years?? Truth be told, this kid had more issues than just getting harrassed for being gay. His parents ostracized him..maybe they should be sent to jail for 30 days, too.
No trolling. He stomped all over his civil rights. This was likely the straw that broke the camel's back. Still, in this day and age, with bullying running rampant and more young people killing themselves, it's about time somebody is made to take responsibility for their actions.
I'm sure Ravi knew that if this was discovered, it wouldn't be all happy and fuzzy and warm. He is smart enough to know this would be painful and embarrassing and he is smart enough to know that his actions were wrong.
He did not directly kill Tyler but his actions pushed him over the edge (no pun intended) and his intentions could never be described as positive. He certainly didn't help matters any.
And, he wasn't "hung" for it. 20 days in jail from a 30 day sentence shows that the powers that be also understood that. He didn't go to jail for Tyler killing himself; Tyler killing himself shone a light on actions that were, in a court of law, found to be illegal.
If I let all the bad stuff that has happened to me in life affect me I would be dead 10x over, whiners move on and take control of your life instead of letting others take it for you, I have no pity for anyone that takes their life, NONE.
Jan-2287732 would you like french fries with that?
I would hardly call videotaping someone having sex without their knowledge and sharing it with other people teasing or a harmless prank. I'll bet you would be much more upset if someone did that to you rather than a mere prank like short-sheeting somebody's bed. I think that deserved disciplinary (if not legal) action. That being said, suicide is a complex thing-there's usually more than one thing going to make somebody consider it. I don't think that Ravi should serve time for that aspect, as there is absolutely no way to prove that suicide was solely due to the taping.
Rocky is asking for it to be his child that become a victim. Betcha Rocky would be all sorts of bent if it was a daughter of his. Mmhm. The point was not about the suicide, but the crimes which he DID commit and WAS convicted of.
Rocky was making a point to an earlier post, Rocky has stated in previous post he is in disagreement with the light sentence Ravi received. Come on people maybe you should read and comprehend.
Rocky, don't worry about the pity...if they've already taken their lives, they won't notice anyway.
So sad his parents turned their backs on him. They should've loved him unconditionally. He was their flesh and blood. Doesn't matter what their pretend deity "says". This was their child, they brought him into this world, watched him grow and learn and love...and to turn away from him at a point where he probably needed them most...is the biggest tragedy of all.
Like I said...some don't have that support system. I cannot imagine how lonely and heartbreaking life is for people whose parents turn away from them. None of us asked to be here last time I checked. To be rejected by the very people who put you on this earth is the cruelest deal of all.
I knew the gd-Obama administration wouldn't deport this POS like he was supposed to be.
Amazing that Obama will pander to the gay crowd and at the same time give the ultimate gift of citizenship to this butt-wipe.
He is said to be now enrolled at Columbia University, paid for by the DREAM Act Hussein authorized.
Saddam authorized enrollments at Columbia??
He has shown no remorse - nor his family - just a lot of self-pity and denial of responsibility for his actions - he basically pushed his roommate off that bridge by his actions based on Hate. He should be prosecuted again and serve real time.
I call bullcrap, he did't push Tyler off the bridge. Tyler had more problems than just what happened with the cam cast. This young man had major mental issues, what they were who knows.
deletion needed
This embroils me. This shouldn't even be news. They prosecute Ravi as a SPY?! Dude went to his gf's house and saw his webcam was still on. Then he noticed his 18 yr old roomate making out with a 45 yr old dude. Then he sarcastically tweeted "I live with a guy who makes out with dudes, Yay" or something to that effect. Then the kid JUMPS OFF A FREAKIN BRIDGE!! And they prosecute Ravi as a spy who premedited the whole thing, the kid had no excuse but to jump to his death. What a load of bull. No one reports on how the kid's mom disowned him. It's the mother's fault, not Ravi's. And who kills themselves anyway??!! I have no sympathy except for Ravi who made a dumb mistake.
I usually get a pretty good chuckle from the comments some of the people on here make. Today was no exception. A vast majority of the people making comments are obviously not very educated conventionally or in the ways of the world either.
I won't add to the nonsense, but just to say thanks for the laughs.
But...But...But...you did add to the nonsense.
WOW you made me laugh so hard I fell out my chair, you political @sstards make my day. Thanks for the great laugh, stupidity is such a funny thing.
I can't believe it that he's not getting deported. If it was up to me he would be on the first tramp freight ship out of America.
I just hope that wherever he goes he is totally shunned.
He's proven to be a self-centered piece of garbage -- his family money saved his derriere from what he deserved -- a long, long prison sentence in general population.
It get me that the news made a big deal out of this when we have known people in office in Washington spying for the federal reserve which is owned by foreigners. Why don't you go after the people who are trying destroy this country or is it because the main stream media is also involved in the destruction of the US. Time for citizens who believe in the constitution of the United States to arm their self and fight back. Get rid of the federal reserve because it is illegal for the US to have a central bank. Bring back all laws to the constitution. We do not need Gates, Buffet and any one else who thinks like them. By the way they are for depopulation and have donated millions towards this
this guy is as sick as the moron who jumped off the bridge. why would anybody want to tape gay sex encounters between and 18 yr old and an older dude and then watch them and tell others to watch as well? this disgusting bitch needs to be deported.oh wait... i forgot, he's illegal,and has more rights and priveleges than u.s. citizens do nowadays.better give him a gubbermant backed tax free for 5 years immigrant minority loan so he can open a 7-11, gas station or liquor store and bring the rest of his family over here from india.
He didn't actually tape a gay sex encounter. The roommate claimed to be straight, a ways into the semester he decided to leave his webcam on when his roomate was alone in the room with one of his "friends" all that was ever taped was the 2 boys kissing. It was never posted youtube or anything like that.
a dude kissing a dude and not like a father son kiss on the cheek and is a gay sex encounter. i've never been bothered by gays , could care less and everybody should be able to choose what they want to do in that dept. as long as they don't push it on other people. thanks for the info though.
i hope his future consists of only flip'n burgers. DEPORT him & that LA lawyer!!
A slap on the wrist for an unrepentant man whose prank led to the death of an innocent person: Judge Berman should be ashamed.
He was never sentenced for the death.
If he wasn't ashamed of his perversion, he would not have jumped to his death..... Oh well.
This guy will fit right in on Wall Street. I am expecting Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, or one of those other upstanding banks to offer this guy a job.
Finally, a post that makes some real sense!
Another waste of human flesh. The state department should reverse their ruling and deport this scum back to India.
He should have never been convicted on anything in the first place. Just remember when you kill yourself you did it. Dont blame the person who made fun of you or the girlfriend who broke up with ... you killed yourself because you chose not to keep fighting for your own life. The kid didnt even post any of the video's or anything, but hey we all know our justice system is fail. Don't even need real evidence anymore, just a string of circumstantial that can fit the prosecutors idea of what happened. And as we all know even I can make all the numbers in my life = 23 if i try hard enough =).
Agree...
This little rat, Ravi, did a horrible thing and gets a tiny slap on the wrist! American justice at it's finest, as usual! Of course HE thinks he did nothing wrong.. His arrogant attitude sucks! Pack him up and ship him back to where he came from, please!
Freedom and lmkj,
I wonder if it were YOUR son that Ravi humiliated and embarrassed in front of the whole world to the point he couldn't take it anymore, if you would still be acting as though he did nothing wrong?? I think not! Your lack of empathy for a young man who was shy and obviously thought his online business was his own does neither of you any credit as human beings!