Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Spycam Linked to Rutgers Suicide leads to Conviction

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A former Rutgers University student convicted in a webcam spying episode that ended in his gay roommate’s suicide could be headed to prison in a case experts say stands as a tragic lesson for young people about casual cruelties and unintended consequences in the Internet age.

Dharun Ravi was found guilty Friday of all 15 charges against him, including invasion of privacy and anti-gay intimidation. The jury decided that he not only spied on Tyler Clementi and another man as they were kissing but also singled out Clementi because he was gay.

Ravi, 20, could get up to 10 years in prison by some estimates and could be deported to his native India even though he has lived legally in the U.S. since he was a little boy.

The case stirred a national conversation about anti-gay bullying and teen suicide. It also illustrated the dangers of technology in the hands of people who have grown up with the likes of Twitter and Facebook.

More

No comments: