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Tyler Clementi's Parents Want Prosecution For Roommate
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 22, 2011
Modified Mar 22, 2011
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Gothamist
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 22, 2011
Modified Mar 22, 2011
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Six months ago, Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi committed suicide after finding out his roommate, Dharun Ravi, had seen him engaged in sexual conduct with another man over a webcam. After the incident, Ravi wrote on Twitter, "Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12," suggesting that he planned to show video of Clementi on iChat. That never happened, and it seems that Ravi and friend Molly Wei were the only two who ever saw Clementi's sexual conduct. However, lawyer Paul Mainardi said the family wants prosecution: "We feel it is important to establish accountability and to further establish that Tyler was subject to criminal acts, not merely a college prank as some may argue."
Dharun Ravi and classmate Molly Wei were each charged with multiple counts of invasion of privacy, and both have dropped out of Rutgers. However, they have yet to be arraigned or indicted, and Mainardi says Clementi's parents want the case to be resolved. "Now that the criminal investigation has been substantially completed, it is hoped that the prosecutor will announce additional charges against Tyler’s former roommate and proceed to submit those charges to the grand jury promptly," he said, though he didn't mention whether Wei should also be prosecuted.
Clementi's parents also said they would soon launch the Tyler Clementi Foundation to raise awareness about internet privacy and bullying. Lawyers for Ravi and Wei say their clients are not guilty, and the charges against them don't link the alleged spying to Clementi's suicide.
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dharun ravi
invasion of privacy
molly wei
suicide
tyler clementi
Jaya Saxena
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