Former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi was sentenced to just 30 days in jail Monday for spying on gay roommate Tyler Clementi, who then committed suicide.
Ravi, 20, was clearly relieved as the judge handed down the unexpectedly light sentence, which also included three years probation, 300 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine.
Ravi could have faced up to 10 years in state prison for invasion of privacy and bias intimidation for using a webcam to watch Clementi’s tryst with an older man.
Both sides planned to appeal the sentencing. Shocked prosecutors said they objected because Ravi faces no state prison time. Defense lawyers asked for a stay of the sentence pending their own appeal.
“I have disenchanted both sides," Middlesex, N.J., Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman said.
Berman chided Ravi for his apparent lack of remorse.
“I haven’t heard you apologize once,” he said.
But he said Ravi acted not out of hate but “a colossal insensitivity” and said he would not recommend Ravi be deported to his native India.
Berman also made it clear he did not think that the authors of the bias law had this sort of case in mind.
"I do not believe they contemplated or envisioned this type of behavior, regardless of how offensive or unconscionable it was,” he said.
Ravi, his family and his lawyers left the courthouse without comment.
Some gay rights groups said they were disappointed with the sentence.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...rs-sentencing-gaunt-nervous-article-1.1081785
Ravi, 20, was clearly relieved as the judge handed down the unexpectedly light sentence, which also included three years probation, 300 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine.
Ravi could have faced up to 10 years in state prison for invasion of privacy and bias intimidation for using a webcam to watch Clementi’s tryst with an older man.
Both sides planned to appeal the sentencing. Shocked prosecutors said they objected because Ravi faces no state prison time. Defense lawyers asked for a stay of the sentence pending their own appeal.
“I have disenchanted both sides," Middlesex, N.J., Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman said.
Berman chided Ravi for his apparent lack of remorse.
“I haven’t heard you apologize once,” he said.
But he said Ravi acted not out of hate but “a colossal insensitivity” and said he would not recommend Ravi be deported to his native India.
Berman also made it clear he did not think that the authors of the bias law had this sort of case in mind.
"I do not believe they contemplated or envisioned this type of behavior, regardless of how offensive or unconscionable it was,” he said.
Ravi, his family and his lawyers left the courthouse without comment.
Some gay rights groups said they were disappointed with the sentence.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...rs-sentencing-gaunt-nervous-article-1.1081785