News Rutgers freshman suicide after roommate broadcast gay sexual encounter online? - Page 17

**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.

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 12:16 PM

wow, that's pretty damn unfortunate...too much we don't know...the kid appears to have been secure in his homosexuality..but it seems odd that you could handle that, but not being teased or "exposed"?..maybe he was struggling with it, or was worried about what his parents would think...who knows?

having sex in the dorm falls on him though..by doing so, he opened up possibility of ramifications (no pun intended) that might ensue....seems it would of just been easier to actually be in a private place if you wanted privacy, instead of a dorm room with tens of people right around the corner.

still, it's a bummer and lots of people effected by it.

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 12:17 PM

I think people don't understand the concept of prisons in society.

These two kids do not belong in a prison, or a jail.

Period.

Lets assume they were two tremendous students with no prior history of crime...

You really think one immature, one incredibly stupid and terrible lack of judgment "prank" really should ruin the lives of two TEENAGE kids??? One life has already been wasted...that can't be fixed...so now as a society we have to take the best course of action...

and you are all saying that is prison time for these two teenage kids?

REALLY?

REALLY?

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 12:19 PM

lets put it this way...

would time in prison teach these two kids a lesson? Would putting them in prison for 2 years make them come out as BETTER people?

or would it ruin their lives?

I'm inclined to think the latter...

and that's what the irrational majority at ChiefsPlanet would like to see...

Wow.

DJ's left nut · 09-30-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

I think people don't understand the concept of prisons in society.

These two kids do not belong in a prison, or a jail.

Period.

Lets assume they were two tremendous students with no prior history of crime...

You really think one immature, one incredibly stupid and terrible lack of judgment "prank" really should ruin the lives of two TEENAGE kids??? One life has already been wasted...that can't be fixed...so now as a society we have to take the best course of action...

and you are all saying that is prison time for these two teenage kids?

REALLY?

REALLY?

So you subscribe to a protectionist/rehabilitationist view of prisons. That's fine, a lot of people do.

Still others subscribe to a retributivist school. In that school, you go to prison as a punishment for your conduct. Not to protect society, not to 'fix' what caused you to act illegally, but to take a time out for failing to adhere to society's laws.

I'm of the retributivist school. These kids broke the law and that law carries with it jail time. As a consequence, they should go to jail.

If you're protected by society's laws, you're also beholden to them.

**Donger** · 09-30-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

lets put it this way...

would time in prison teach these two kids a lesson? Would putting them in prison for 2 years make them come out as BETTER people?

or would it ruin their lives?

I'm inclined to think the latter...

and that's what the irrational majority at ChiefsPlanet would like to see...

Wow.

You think that the purpose of jail is to make people "better"?

Pants · 09-30-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

If you're protected by society's laws, you're also beholden to them.

headshot

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

You think that the purpose of jail is to make people "better"?

Sure. Or at least a place for real criminals to be stashed.

These two are just immature teenage idiots who made a stupid mistake...

They don't deserve to be in jail/prison...

Hootie · 09-30-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

headshot

Fine.

So when the dude gets probation...is that a counter head shot?

**DaKCMan AP** · 09-30-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

wow, that's pretty damn unfortunate...too much we don't know...the kid appears to have been secure in his homosexuality..but it seems odd that you could handle that, but not being teased or "exposed"?..maybe he was struggling with it, or was worried about what his parents would think...who knows?

having sex in the dorm falls on him though..by doing so, he opened up possibility of ramifications (no pun intended) that might ensue....seems it would of just been easier to actually be in a private place if you wanted privacy, instead of a dorm room with tens of people right around the corner.

still, it's a bummer and lots of people effected by it.

It's a reasonable assumption that, even if having sex in a dorm, you won't be videotaped without your knowledge.

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

It's a reasonable assumption that, even if having sex in a dorm, you won't be videotaped without your knowledge.

obviously not.

Garcia Bronco · 09-30-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Dragon

I think people don't understand the concept of prisons in society.

These two kids do not belong in a prison, or a jail.

Period.

Lets assume they were two tremendous students with no prior history of crime...

You really think one immature, one incredibly stupid and terrible lack of judgment "prank" really should ruin the lives of two TEENAGE kids??? One life has already been wasted...that can't be fixed...so now as a society we have to take the best course of action...

and you are all saying that is prison time for these two teenage kids?

REALLY?

REALLY?

I agree. Prison used to be a place where you didn't feel sorry for the people put there.

Garcia Bronco · 09-30-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

It's a reasonable assumption that, even if having sex in a dorm, you won't be videotaped without your knowledge.

that'll be interesting in court. When I lived in the dorm I had no expectation of privacy.

FAX · 09-30-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

It's a reasonable assumption that, even if having sex in a dorm, you won't be videotaped without your knowledge.

Interesting point. And awesome, too.

These days, you can be videotaped or photographed anywhere, anytime. It's a freaking electronic media free-for-all out there.

That's why I always put on a tie and double check my zipper before I turn on the lights in the morning.

FAX

**DaKCMan AP** · 09-30-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

obviously not.

Which is why the two kids are charged with a serious crime. It's a reasonable assumption that when I walk into work I won't get stabbed. It ever occurring doesn't negate that fact that it's a reasonable assumption.

stevieray · 09-30-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

I agree. Prison used to be a place where you didn't feel sorry for the people put there.

They used to looked at prisons like hospitals. The worse it was, the longer you stayed.
I imagine a small number actually learn the lesson, or even want to. it's no secret that it isn't rehabilitve based anymore..prolly why so many end up back in the pokey after being released.

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.
Posts: 24,800

09-30-2010, 12:16 PM	#241
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1164727	wow, that's pretty damn unfortunate...too much we don't know...the kid appears to have been secure in his homosexuality..but it seems odd that you could handle that, but not being teased or "exposed"?..maybe he was struggling with it, or was worried about what his parents would think...who knows? having sex in the dorm falls on him though..by doing so, he opened up possibility of ramifications (no pun intended) that might ensue....seems it would of just been easier to actually be in a private place if you wanted privacy, instead of a dorm room with tens of people right around the corner. still, it's a bummer and lots of people effected by it.
Posts: 74,028

09-30-2010, 12:17 PM	#242
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I think people don't understand the concept of prisons in society. These two kids do not belong in a prison, or a jail. Period. Lets assume they were two tremendous students with no prior history of crime... You really think one immature, one incredibly stupid and terrible lack of judgment "prank" really should ruin the lives of two TEENAGE kids??? One life has already been wasted...that can't be fixed...so now as a society we have to take the best course of action... and you are all saying that is prison time for these two teenage kids? REALLY? REALLY?
Posts: 56,356

09-30-2010, 12:19 PM	#243
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	lets put it this way... would time in prison teach these two kids a lesson? Would putting them in prison for 2 years make them come out as BETTER people? or would it ruin their lives? I'm inclined to think the latter... and that's what the irrational majority at ChiefsPlanet would like to see... Wow.
Posts: 56,356