Roommate Hit With Bias Charge In Rutgers Suicide
PISCATAWAY, NJ (CBS) - A North Jersey teen is charged with a hate crime stemming from the suicide last September of his roommate at Rutgers University.
The 15-count indictment smacks charges of bias intimidation on Dharun Ravi -- saying he invaded the privacy of the 18-year-old with whom he shared a dorm -- knowing the freshman would be intimidated because he was gay.
Tyler Clementi jumped off a bridge to his death after authorities say Ravi spied on his sexual encounter with another man and posted it online.
Steven Goldstein is chairman of the civil-rights group Garden State Equality.
"We believe the book should be thrown at Mr. Ravi for a heinous, heinous crime," Goldstein said.
The bias charge carries a five-to-10 year prison term. Ravi's lawyer has said the webcam stream was viewed only on one computer and did not show the men having sex.
In a statement, Clementi's family calls Ravi's alleged acts "cold" and "calculated" and says they're eagerly awaiting justice for their son.
Reported By Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio
