Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei

UPDATE, March 16, 2012: Dharun Ravi Found Guilty in Rutgers Trial

A New Jersey jury today found former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi guilty on all counts for using a webcam to spy on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, having a gay sexual encounter in 2010.

Ravi, 20, was convicted of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, witness tampering and hindering arrest, stemming from his role in activating the webcam to peek at Clementi's date with a man in the dorm room on Sept. 19, 2010. Ravi was also convicted of encouraging others to spy during a second date, on Sept. 21, 2010, and intimidating Clementi for being gay.

Ravi was found not guilty of some subparts of the 15 counts of bias intimidation, attempted invasion of privacy, and attempted bias intimidation, but needed only to be found guilty of one part of each count to be convicted.

The convictions carry a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison. Because Ravi is a citizen of India, and is in the US on a green card, he could be deported following his sentencing. The US deports most criminals convicted of felonies, with the exception of thefts of amounts under $10,000.

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UPDATE, April 20, 2011: Dharun Ravi indicted on 15 counts tied to spying on, suicide of Rutgers roommate Tyler Clementi
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Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei are scum (allegedly).

Ravi is the roommate from hell (allegedly). Wei was Ravi's high school classmate and a fellow Rutgers freshman.

They are horrible people, miserable excuses for human beings (allegedly).

From WPIX:

NYPD harbor units have recovered the body of an individual believed to be Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman who jumped to his death after two other students secretly filmed him during a sexual encounter with another man, PIX 11 News has learned.

Sources say there was no wallet and no identification on the body.

Clementi was spotted on the walkway of the George Washington Bridge on the night of Sept 22. Earlier in the evening, the 18-year-old freshman had posted a chilling goodbye message on his Facebook page.

"Jumping off the gw bridge sorry," Clementi wrote on Facebook before jumping to his death. Sources tell PIX 11 News, Clementi's car was later discovered along the New Jersey border with both his cell phone and computer inside.

Fellow freshmen students Dharun Ravi, 18, of Plainsboro and Molly Wei, 18, of Princeton have since been charged with invasion of privacy for allegedly placing a camera in Clementi's room.

Ravi and Wei were charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for using a camera to view and transmit a live image of the teen during the sexual encounter on Sept. 19.

Ravi, who was Clementi's roommate, was additionally charged with two more counts of invasion of privacy for trying to use the hidden camera to view the same student during another sexual encounter just three days later on Sept. 21.

Days before the shocking suicide, Ravi updated his Twitter account, admitting to friends that he enabled his webcam to spy on Clementi who had asked his roommate for some privacy.

"Roommate asked for the room till midnight," he tweeted on Sept. 19. "I went into Molly's room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay."

...Ravi was released on $25,000 bail Tuesday after surrendering to Rutgers police, while Wei was released on her own recognizance Monday after surrendering to authorities.

According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan, it is a fourth-degree crime to collect or view images depicting nudity or sexual content of an individual without that person's consent. The crime becomes a third-degree offense if the images are transmitted or distributed.

WPIX video


How could Ravi and Wei be so cruel?

Why would they do something that they knew would deeply hurt Tyler Clementi?

Did they think it was fun? Is bullying their hobby?

Clementi asked his roommate for privacy. Instead, Ravi allegedly violated his trust in a stunningly callous way. Ravi and Wei's lack of compassion is chilling.

According to Forbes, Ravi discovered that Clementi was gay from comments he made on a gay message forum, "JustUsBoys," and Clementi was aware of Ravi's video voyeurism.

A month-old tweet from Ravi indicates he discovered his roommate’s sexuality based on comments Clementi made on a gay message forum. Ravi tweeted on August 22, “Found out my roommate is gay,” and linked to a post he said was Clementi’s on JustUsBoys. It’s the same forum that Clementi appears to have turned to after discovering he’d been spied on. As Gawker noted, a user on the forum by the name of “cit2mo” posted a thread “college roommate spying…..” on September 21 at 7:22 a.m.

so the other night i had a guy over. I had talked to my roommate that afternoon and he had said it would be fine w/him. I checked his twitter today. he tweeted that I was using the room (which is obnoxious enough), AND that he went into somebody else’s room and remotely turned on his webcam and saw me making out with a guy. given the angle of the webcam I can be confident that that was all he could have seen.

so my question is what next?

I could just be more careful next time…make sure to turn the cam away…
buttt…
I’m kinda pissed at him (rightfully so I think, no?)
and idk…if I could…it would be nice to get him in trouble
but idk if I have enough to get him in trouble, i mean…he never saw anything pornographic…he never recorded anything…
I feel like the only thing the school might do is find me another roommate, probably with me moving out…and i’d probably just end up with somebody worse than him….I mean aside from being an asshole from time to time, he’s a pretty decent roommate…

the other thing is I that don’t wanna report him and then end up with nothing happening except him getting pissed at me….

Other users advised him to report it to the school and make sure his roommate’s computer was closed during future encounters. Cit2mo replied:

I feel like it was “look at what a fag my roommate is” –other people have commented on his profile with things like “how did you manage to go back in there?” “are you ok?”

and the fact that the people he was with saw my making out with a guy as the scandal whereas i mean come on…he was SPYING ON ME….do they see nothing wrong with this?

unsettling to say the least….

so I decided to fill out the room change request form….its not guaranteed that you get a change…and i don’t have to switch if I change my mind or work things out over the next week (they won’t start filling requests until next week)…but I figure I might as well as see what they can offer me….

More users advised him of the illegality of this video voyeurism. A famous case of this, of course, is that of Erin Andrews. The man who made peephole videos of her undressing was ultimately sentenced to 30 months in prison. Cit2mo responds:

oh yah, on the school website it says recording people where there is an expectation of privacy (bathroom bedroom etc) without the consent of everyone involved could….COULD…..result in being expelled

the only things is…there are too many ‘could’s ….the fact that he didn’t ACTUALLY record me (to my knowledge) and the fact that the school really prolly won’t do much of anything….

but anyway, i’ll be talking to my RA later today for sure…..

and yah, revenge never ends well for me, as much as I would love to pour pink paint all over his stuff…..that would just let him win…..

Cit2mo did end up going to the RA after Ravi’s tweet on September 21st:

so I wanted to have the guy over again.

I texted roomie around 7 asking for the room later tonight and he said it was fine.

when I got back to the room I instantly noticed he had turned the webcam toward my bed. And he had posted online again….saying….”anyone want a free show just video chat me tonight”…or something similar to that….

soooo after that…..

I ran to the nearest RA and set this thing in motion…..
we’ll see what happens……

I haven’t even seen my roommate since sunday when i was asking for the room the first time…and him doing it again just set me off….so talking to him just didn’t seem like an option….

meanwhile I turned off and unplugged his computer, went crazy looking for other hidden cams….and then had a great time.

Cit2mo’s last posting to the site on the morning of September 22nd indicates that he emailed an RA a paragraph about what had happened. Though he seemed calm and collected in his postings to JustUsBoys, that night, he posted “Jumping off the gw bridge sorry” to his Facebook, and committed suicide.

Clementi's postings indicate his struggles with Ravi and his feelings of powerlessness.

Ravi and Wei are conscienceless cyberthugs and hopefully they will pay for their criminal behavior. No slap on the wrist for these thugs if they are found guilty. They must suffer the consequences for breaking the law. Without question, they should be expelled from Rutgers.

Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick issued a statement on Clementi's death.

I deeply regret that today we learned from the family of one of our students that they believe their son has committed suicide. We are profoundly saddened by this report, and our hearts and prayers are with the parents, family, and friends of this young man, who had started at Rutgers this semester as a first-year student on the New Brunswick Campus.

While there is a lot of information being communicated, we don’t have all the facts in this case.

This young man was reportedly the victim of an incident that took place in one of our residence halls last week. Two fellow Rutgers students have been arrested and charged with invasion of privacy for their actions in that incident. If the charges are true, these actions gravely violate the university’s standards of decency and humanity.

The case is being investigated by the Rutgers University Police Department. The students—like all who are accused of a crime—must be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is also being investigated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs under the code of student conduct. Please know that while Rutgers does not comment publicly on the specifics of cases involving active criminal investigations and allegations of student conduct, the university is taking this case very seriously.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family during this most difficult time. While I did not have the privilege of knowing this young man, I have learned that in addition to his academic abilities, he was a gifted musician. Our university community feels the pain of his loss, and I know there is anger and outrage about these events.

Rutgers is a community that is extraordinarily proud of its diversity and the respect its members have for one another. In fact, we have just launched a two-year dialogue focusing attention on civility in the context of one of the most culturally and racially diverse research universities in the nation. I ask that all members of the Rutgers community honor the wishes of the family by providing them with privacy during this painful time and by committing to the values of civility, dignity, compassion, and respect for each other.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Of course, Ravi and Wei have to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The cybertrail will be easy enough to trace. (See postings from "JustUsBoys.") I trust it won't take long to determine if they actually did what they are accused of doing.

The WPIX report states that sources say Clementi had asked to have his room changed, but Rutgers denied that request.

If true, that refusal to move Clementi was obviously a terrible mistake.

When it comes to taking one's own life, ultimate responsibility lies with the individual. Clementi made the choice. He chose to die, but arriving at that decision certainly speaks to Clementi's unbearable anguish, being only 18 and not wanting to live. His suffering probably went beyond the clash with his roommate. The tragic unknown in all of this is whether Clementi would have made the choice to live had Ravi and Wei not treated him like the star in a freak show.

It's heartbreaking that Clementi determined his best option was to jump from the George Washington Bridge.

Rutgers can't be blamed for Clementi's death but it may be responsible for failing to address 18-year-old Clementi's serious problems with Ravi and buddy Wei.

Ravi and Wei didn't kill Clementi, but they're accused of illegal activity that had to be torture for him. His suicide may have been precipitated by their bullying.

Bullying in the Internet age takes on a whole new dimension. Thugs can use the Internet to compound the agony for the victim.

Ravi and Wei didn't push Clementi off the bridge, but they have blood on their hands.
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Here's video of Danielle Birnbohm</>. She lived in the dorm room next to Tyler Clementi and Dharun Ravi on Busch Campus at Rutgers.
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UPDATE, September 30, 2010: Statement of President Richard L. McCormick, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

This is the second statement from McCormick. In his first statement, September 29, 2010, he didn't mention Clementi by name.

His September 30, 2010, statement is a more personal expression of sympathy.

The Rutgers University community is in mourning over the death of first-year student Tyler Clementi.

We grieve for him and for his family, friends, and classmates as they deal with the tragic loss of a gifted young man who was a strong student and a highly accomplished musician. I have spoken with Tyler’s parents to extend my own and the university’s deepest sympathies, and we will continue to respect the family’s request for privacy.

It is up to us at Rutgers to honor this young man’s life by reaffirming, and living up to, our commitment to the values of civility, dignity, compassion, and respect for one another.

I don't want to be cynical about McCormick's motives but this second statement seems to be an attempt to deal with the Rutgers PR nightmare of Clementi's suicide.

I think McCormick has said enough.
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UPDATE, from WPIX: Officials: Body Found In Hudson is of Rutgers Voyeurism Victim

A body recovered from the Hudson River has been confirmed to be Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman who jumped to his death after two other students secretly filmed him during a sexual encounter with another man, officials announced Thursday.

The New York City medical examiner's office determined that Clementi drowned and had impact injuries on his torso after jumping off the George Washington Bridge last Wednesday.

Sources say there was no wallet and no identification on the body.

Clementi was spotted on the walkway of the bridge on the night of Sept 22. Earlier in the evening, the 18-year-old freshman had posted a chilling goodbye message on his Facebook page.

"Jumping off the gw bridge sorry," Clementi wrote on Facebook before jumping to his death.

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UDPATE: NJ student's suicide illustrates Internet dangers

This AP article discusses suicides and cyberbullying. It also includes some new information about Tyler Clementi, Dharun Ravi, and Molly Wei.

In Clementi's case, prosecutors said that his roommate, Dharun Ravi of Plainsboro, N.J., and Molly Wei of Princeton, N.J., both 18-year-old freshmen, transmitted a live image of Clementi having sex on Sept. 19 and that Ravi tried to webcast a second encounter on Sept. 21, the day before Clementi's suicide. Lawyers for Ravi and Wei did not return calls.

Luanne Peterpaul, vice chairwoman of the gay rights group Garden State Equality and a former New Jersey prosecutor, said authorities might be able to pursue the case as a hate crime under state law if they are able to establish that the defendants acted because they believed Clementi was gay.

Ravi posted a message on his now-closed Twitter account on Sept. 19: "Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly's room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay."

Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan said in a statement: "We will be making every effort to assess whether bias played a role in the incident, and, if so, we will bring appropriate charges."

A lawyer for Clementi's family did not respond to requests for comment on whether Clementi had come out to friends and family about his sexual orientation. He also said the family had no comment.

The mourning continued at Rutgers and in Ridgewood, the suburban New Jersey town where Clementi grew up and attended high school.

"As the father of a 17-year-old, I can't imagine what those parents are feeling today," Gov. Chris Christie said. "Those people who led him to that bridge are going to have to bear that responsibility for the rest of their lives."

Ed Schmiedecke, the recently retired music director at Ridgewood High, called Clementi "a terrific musician and a very promising, hardworking young man."

"Musically, Tyler was destined for greatness," childhood friend Mary Alcaro, who played in a summer music academy with him, said in an e-mail. "I've never heard anyone make a violin sing the way he did."

Students at West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional High School, from which Ravi and Wei graduated, remembered them as nice people who were not in any way homophobic.

Ravi had gay friends, said Derek Yan, 16, a junior. Yan said he chatted online with Ravi about what college life was like, and Ravi "said he was lucky to have a good roommate. He said his roomate was cool."

Apparently, Ravi and Wei have changed dramatically since they left West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional High School.

If they were nice, as students at the high school remember them, then they've changed dramatically. They've revealed they aren't nice anymore. They're heartless, soulless.

This wasn't some innocent little prank gone bad. They allegedly behaved illegally. They conducted a cold, calculated plan to torment Clementi. Nice people don't do that.

As far as being homophobic goes, they've been outed.

Obviously, if Ravi liked his roommate and thought he was cool, he had a sick, sick way of showing it.

In the end, it doesn't matter what a person says. It's irrelevant that Ravi supposedly had gay friends in high school. The "but some of my best friends are gay" defense is pathetic. It's irrelevant that Ravi said kind things about Clementi to someone online.

Words can be empty, meaningless. It's so simple to say something. What matters is how those words are backed up by actions.

What Ravi and Wei allegedly DID says everything one needs to know about them.
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UDPATE, October 1, 2010: Bias crime charges weighed after NJ teen's suicide
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UDPATE, October 1, 2010: Emotions run high at Rutgers after teen's suicide
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UDPATE, October 2, 2010: Rutgers honors late student at homecoming game
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UDPATE, October 3, 2010: Hating Ravi and Wei Solves Nothing
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UDPATE, October 6, 2010: Rutgers Students Investigated After Death of Classmate Break Their Silence

Ravi and Wei deny they had anti-gay bias.

Wei's lawyer declares she's innocent.
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UDPATE, December 22, 2010: Parents of NJ student who killed himself to sue

The parents of a Rutgers University student who killed himself after his roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on him during a tryst with another man have filed notice that they intend to sue the school.

Joseph and Jane Clementi, parents of Tyler Clementi, filed the notice on Friday. They have to wait six months to file the lawsuit over their son's death, which became a symbol in a national outcry over the bullying of young gays.

In the notice, the couple said "it appears Rutgers University failed to act, failed to put in place and/or failed to implement, and enforce policies and practices that would have prevented or deterred such acts, and that Rutgers failed to act timely and appropriately"

The claim, first reported by The Home News Tribune of East Brunswick, did not list how much in damages the Ridgewood family would seek.

Rutgers spokesman E.J. Miranda said in a statement that the school is not to blame.

"We at the university share the family's sense of loss of their son, who was a member of our community. We also recognize that a grieving family may question whether someone or some institution could somehow have responsibility for their son's death," Miranda said. "While the university understands this reaction, the university is not responsible for Tyler Clementi's suicide."

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UPDATE, April 20, 2011: Dharun Ravi indicted on 15 counts tied to spying on, suicide of Rutgers roommate Tyler Clementi

A former Rutgers University freshman was indicted Wednesday for secretly viewing a same-sex encounter involving his roommate - who later jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge.

Dharun Ravi, 19, of Plainsboro, N.J., could face up to 5 years in prison if convicted of the top charges in the 15-count indictment announced by Middlesex County prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.

Ravi was charged by a grand jury with bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and witness and evidence tampering for using a webcam to spy on Tyler Clementi's dorm room date with another man.

Once Clementi's Sept. 22, 2010, suicide became public, Ravi asked witnesses not to implicate him and gave misleading information to investigators, Kaplan said.

According to the indictment, Ravi also knew the target of his webcam would be intimidated because of his sexual orientation.

"The grand jury indictment spells out cold and calculated acts against our son Tyler by his former college roommate," the Clementi family said in a statement.

"If these facts are true, as they appear to be, then it is important for our criminal justice system to establish clear accountability under law. We are eager to have the process moved forward for justice in this case."