Report: Ravi Seeking Probation, Not Prison
Friends send letters of support for Dharun Ravi, whom the Associated Press reports is looking to avoid what could be a decade-long prison sentence after his 'spycam' conviction.
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The Associated Press reports the man convicted in the Rutgers spycam trial of Tyler Clementi has requested probation instead of a prison sentence.
Dharun Ravi, 20, of Plainsboro, was convicted in March of bias intimidation charges for his role in using a webcam to spy on roommate Tyler Clementi on separate occasions in 2010. A jury agreed Ravi had targeted Clementi because he was gay.
Days after Ravi again attempted to spy on Clementi romantically involved with a man only identified as "M.B." the 18-year-old Ridgewood resident committed suicide. His body was found in the Hudson River after he jumped from the George Washington Bridge, leaving behind only a cryptic Facebook post.
Ravi was not charged in connection with Clementi's death. His sentence is scheduled for May 21.
According to the Associated Press, Ravi's attorneys have requested he be spared a prison sentence, citing letters from friends who say the native of India is not hateful, nor is he a bully.
Ravi originally was offered a plea deal by Middlesex County prosecutors to avoid jail time. He was convicted on 15 counts and could face up to a decade in state prison and deportation to India.
The AP reports a "Support Ravi" event is scheduled in Edison – where there is a large Indian community – on Friday night, and another rally planned later in May.
RGA
8:02 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Of all the other reasons people can go to jail, and this guy could possibly go to jail for 10 years?!! That is insane! It is not this one incident in Tyler's life that made him
Jump off a bridge!! Why are his parents not going to jail for not supporting their son, and his brother who was fearful to come out prior to Tyler's death!
Lisa Shields
11:37 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
He had EVERY opportunity to avoid prison. He was offered a plea bargain that quite frankly, I found far too generous. He rejected it. So...he rolled the dice. He lost. There are consequences to actions...and Ravi needs to understand it. I don't for a minute believe that he is sincerely contrite...he's just upset that he got caught.