News Rutgers freshman suicide after roommate broadcast gay sexual encounter online? - Page 21

**jAZ** · 09-29-2010, 11:34 PM

Wow. Prank gone waaay wrong.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...gers_post.html

Rutgers freshman is presumed dead in suicide after roommate broadcast gay sexual encounter online

Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 5:42 PM
Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger

PISCATAWAY — A Rutgers University freshman appears to have killed himself by jumping off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate broadcast live images of the 18-year-old having a sexual encounter with another man on the internet, according to campus and law enforcement sources.

Tyler Clementi, 18, of Ridgewood, is presumed dead after his car, cell phone and computer were found near the George Washington Bridge last week, law enforcement sources said. His wallet was found on the walkway adjacent to the New York-bound lanes. In a statement released this afternoon, Clementi’s family confirmed the suicide and said his body has not been found.

Dharun Ravi, 18, of Plainsboro, and Molly Wei, 18, of Princeton, were charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for setting up a camera in a dorm room on Sept. 19 and using it to view and transmit a live sex scene, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.

Paul Mainardi of Woodbury, the Clementi family's attorney, said Ravi and Clementi were roommates at Rutgers.

Ravi's Twitter feed on that date referred to seeing his roommate have sex with another man in their room on the Piscataway campus, classmates said.

"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," Ravi said on his Twitter page in a Sept. 19 entry posted at 6:17 p.m.

Two days later, Ravi posted another entry directing his nearly 150 Twitter followers to iChat, an internet messaging service with a live video feed.

"Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12. Yes it's happening again," Ravi wrote in the Sept. 21 post.

Ravi's Twitter feed has since been taken down. But the entries survived in a cached version of the page still available through Google's search engine this afternoon.

Prosecutors said Ravi and Wei set up a camera on Sept. 19 and broadcast live images of Clementi having a "sexual encounter." Ravi is also accused of trying unsuccessfully to broadcast a second sex scene Sept. 21.

The Clementi family released a statement this afternoon. "Tyler was a fine young man, and a distinguished musician. The family is heartbroken beyond words. They respectfully request that they be given time to grieve their great loss and that their privacy at this painful time be respected by all," it said.

"The family and their representatives are cooperating fully with the ongoing criminal investigations of two Rutgers University students," the statement said.

Clementi was an accomplished violinist who had received a college scholarship from the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra for his musicianship and leadership.
The violinist left a lasting impression with some in the Bergen County town, said Hiro Kagei, 17, who played in the orchestra with the teenager. A solo Clementi played in a concert last year "blew the audience away," he said.

"Now that he’ dead, it’s sad to think we won’t hear something like that anymore," Kagei said.

On the Rutgers campus, classmates described Clementi as quiet. At a mandatory dorm meeting called the day he was reported missing, only three students said they had spoken to Clementi since they moved into the dorm last month, according to students who were at the meeting.

Ravi and Wei — who were classmates at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North before enrolling at Rutgers this fall — did not respond to e-mail requests to comment Tuesday. Steve Altman, Ravi’s attorney, also declined to comment.

Ravi surrendered to Rutgers police Tuesday and was released on $25,000 bail, the prosecutor’s office said. Wei surrendered to the campus police Monday and was released on her own recognizance.

Under New Jersey’s invasion-of-privacy laws, it is a fourth degree crime to collect or view images depicting nudity or sexual contact involving another individual without that person’s consent, the prosecutor said. It is a third degree crime to transmit or distribute the images.

If the students are convicted on a third degree offense they could face up to five years in prison each under state law. Conviction on a fourth-degree crime could lead to probation or up to 18 months in prison.

FAX · 09-30-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

and that's the mitigating factor... he put himself at risk, because his privacy wasn't guaranteed.

employers don't expect their employees to steal from them, yet they video them on the job.

It's an interesting argument, Mr. stevieray.

But, would you not agree that there is a difference between the possibility of someone "walking in on you" during sex and having your encounter broadcast on the internet?

FAX

DJ's left nut · 09-30-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

dick move and I'm no lawyer...

but when I think more and more about it...the less "illegal" it seems...

His room too...his webcam...and I don't think there is any laws regarding when he can and cannot use his webcam, and who can and cannot view his webcam...especially when it is in his own room.

Because you're not a lawyer.

You continue to ignore the fact that

A) He provided his roommate with an actual expectation of privacy and
B) He stated that he intended to record his roommate
C) He publicized a private act.

It's absolutely illegal. The law could not be more clear in this regard.

This isn't even remotely close.

DJ's left nut · 09-30-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

when did he say that?

I read...

"turned my cam on, saw him making out with a dude"

"wow check out my cam, it's public, he's doing it again!"

He never said...

"jimmy rigged my room so I can spy on my roommate having a gay encounter"

HIS CAM
HIS ROOM

He can do whatever he wants with it.

Wow...you went to law school? I've never taken a class in law and it appears as if I know more about this shit than you do...

This is common sense...

HIS DORM ROOM...HIS WEBCAM...HE CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS WITH IT...

Just like my hypothetical roommate scenario...if two people have sex in my room and didn't realize I had surveillance going...too bad. My property now to do with it what I like...don't **** in my room!

When he said "check out my webcam at this time and place for a show"

You're wrong. You think you have a point because you're ignorant.

Toddlers think it's the flame the propells a rocket, doesn't make them right.

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You don't have consent to record this person who does have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

so you're saying I can't have a live webcam in my room going at all times???

I can't have viewers on my own webcam?

This is a law?

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Agreed.

But your hope is that, by teaching them right/wrong, you'll keep them out of these situations.

That's every parents hope and it's really their job.

But that's NOT the intent of the criminal justice system. It picks up where the parents leave off and has entirely different motives at that point.

Comparing parenting motivation to criminal law motivation just doesn't fit.

no, I'm hoping they'll keep THEMSELVES out of those situations.

Mr. Laz · 09-30-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

hey

it was a dick move

but read my hypothetical

I doubt it's illegal...and I bet his lawyer uses that very point...

it's his webcam
it's his room

and there are no laws telling him when he can and cannot have HIS WEBCAM ON, IN HIS ROOM...and there are no laws telling him he cannot HAVE HIS WEBCAM SET TO PUBLIC...

if you don't want to get outed...don't have gay sex in your dorm room

i doubt that flies because if it did then it would set legal precedence for all sorts of privacy issues.

sun tanning salons - whomever owns the building has a right to setup webcams and video tape any patron

Hotels/Motels - rooms are now no longer private because the owners can look/video tape any person staying there

changing rooms - now free game because the people changing in those rooms do not own those rooms and should not have any real expectations of privacy

etc,etc,etc ... it's endless

|Zach| · 09-30-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

so you're saying I can't have a live webcam in my room going at all times???

I can't have viewers on my own webcam?

This is a law?

You can have it going all the time...you can have viewers on your webcam.

However, if you are broadcasting a uniquely identifiable person who has a reasonable right to privacy like in this case. It is illegal.

Mr. Laz · 09-30-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

and that's the mitigating factor... he put himself at risk, because his privacy wasn't guaranteed.

employers don't expect their employees to steal from them, yet they video them on the job.

and he specifically asked and received agreement from his roommate for a certain time period of privacy.

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

It's an interesting argument, Mr. stevieray.

But, would you not agree that there is a difference between the possibility of someone "walking in on you" during sex and having your encounter broadcast on the internet?

FAX

As I've already stated, both parties made unwise decisions.

again, the situation is extremely unfortunate.

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

i doubt that flies because if it did then it would set legal precedence for all sorts of privacy issues.

sun tanning salons - whomever owns the building has a right to setup webcams and video tape any patron

Hotels/Motels - rooms are now no longer private because the owners can look/video tape any person staying there

changing rooms - now free game because the people changing in those rooms do not own those rooms and should not have any real expectations of privacy

etc,etc,etc ... it's endless

Ah, true.

I think apartments/dorms are a little different...but I see your point.

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

and he specifically asked and received agreement from his roommate for a certain time period of privacy.

he didn't receive it, did he?

DJ's left nut · 09-30-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

no, I'm hoping they'll keep THEMSELVES out of those situations.

Oh c'mon, you're being hyper-technical. If you'd like, I can edit the sentence to say "by teaching them right/wrong, they'll stay out of these situations" and the meaning is exactly the same.

You're hoping that your teaching will give them the tools to keep themselves out of bad situations.

Are you really sitting here trying to argue that you don't teach your kids in the hopes that they will make the proper decisions in life or are you just getting a kick out of being obtuse?

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You can have it going all the time...you can have viewers on your webcam.

However, if you are broadcasting a uniquely identifiable person who has a reasonable right to privacy like in this case. It is illegal.

Ok, gotcha...

Guess I can't crown myself after all.

|Zach| · 09-30-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

he didn't receive it, did he?

Law.

Broken.

Mr. Laz · 09-30-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

he didn't receive it, did he?

yes, he did ... the roommate agreed to leave until midnite.

which apparently was just a setup for the camera that they roommate has already setup and started advertising the upcoming "event" online.

um ... maybe you should read the story before continuing discussion.

just sayin'

09-29-2010, 11:34 PM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9817493	Rutgers freshman suicide after roommate broadcast gay sexual encounter online? Wow. Prank gone waaay wrong. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...gers_post.html Rutgers freshman is presumed dead in suicide after roommate broadcast gay sexual encounter online Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 5:42 PM Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger PISCATAWAY — A Rutgers University freshman appears to have killed himself by jumping off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate broadcast live images of the 18-year-old having a sexual encounter with another man on the internet, according to campus and law enforcement sources. Tyler Clementi, 18, of Ridgewood, is presumed dead after his car, cell phone and computer were found near the George Washington Bridge last week, law enforcement sources said. His wallet was found on the walkway adjacent to the New York-bound lanes. In a statement released this afternoon, Clementi’s family confirmed the suicide and said his body has not been found. Dharun Ravi, 18, of Plainsboro, and Molly Wei, 18, of Princeton, were charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for setting up a camera in a dorm room on Sept. 19 and using it to view and transmit a live sex scene, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan. Paul Mainardi of Woodbury, the Clementi family's attorney, said Ravi and Clementi were roommates at Rutgers. Ravi's Twitter feed on that date referred to seeing his roommate have sex with another man in their room on the Piscataway campus, classmates said. "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," Ravi said on his Twitter page in a Sept. 19 entry posted at 6:17 p.m. Two days later, Ravi posted another entry directing his nearly 150 Twitter followers to iChat, an internet messaging service with a live video feed. "Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12. Yes it's happening again," Ravi wrote in the Sept. 21 post. Ravi's Twitter feed has since been taken down. But the entries survived in a cached version of the page still available through Google's search engine this afternoon. Prosecutors said Ravi and Wei set up a camera on Sept. 19 and broadcast live images of Clementi having a "sexual encounter." Ravi is also accused of trying unsuccessfully to broadcast a second sex scene Sept. 21. The Clementi family released a statement this afternoon. "Tyler was a fine young man, and a distinguished musician. The family is heartbroken beyond words. They respectfully request that they be given time to grieve their great loss and that their privacy at this painful time be respected by all," it said. "The family and their representatives are cooperating fully with the ongoing criminal investigations of two Rutgers University students," the statement said. Clementi was an accomplished violinist who had received a college scholarship from the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra for his musicianship and leadership. The violinist left a lasting impression with some in the Bergen County town, said Hiro Kagei, 17, who played in the orchestra with the teenager. A solo Clementi played in a concert last year "blew the audience away," he said. "Now that he’ dead, it’s sad to think we won’t hear something like that anymore," Kagei said. On the Rutgers campus, classmates described Clementi as quiet. At a mandatory dorm meeting called the day he was reported missing, only three students said they had spoken to Clementi since they moved into the dorm last month, according to students who were at the meeting. Ravi and Wei — who were classmates at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North before enrolling at Rutgers this fall — did not respond to e-mail requests to comment Tuesday. Steve Altman, Ravi’s attorney, also declined to comment. Ravi surrendered to Rutgers police Tuesday and was released on $25,000 bail, the prosecutor’s office said. Wei surrendered to the campus police Monday and was released on her own recognizance. Under New Jersey’s invasion-of-privacy laws, it is a fourth degree crime to collect or view images depicting nudity or sexual contact involving another individual without that person’s consent, the prosecutor said. It is a third degree crime to transmit or distribute the images. If the students are convicted on a third degree offense they could face up to five years in prison each under state law. Conviction on a fourth-degree crime could lead to probation or up to 18 months in prison.
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