NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate’s love life was convicted Friday of invasion of privacy and anti-gay intimidation in a case that exploded into the headlines when the victim threw himself to his death off a bridge.Read the rest here.
Dharun Ravi, 20, shook his head slightly after hearing guilty verdicts on all 15 counts against him. He and his lawyers left the courthouse without comment, his father’s arm around his shoulders.
My take: There is no question of harassment and invasion of privacy. That's a given. But I am not a fan of so called "hate crime" laws. Anything which places a thought or opinion, no matter how odious, under the ban of public law is unconstitutional in my opinion. I think the family of the victimized young man has a very good civil case here (wrongful death), but the criminal charges are hugely overblown. This was a legal lynching. Look for a vigorous appeal.
I doubt the family brings a lawsuit. The state of NJ went overboard to NOT allow lots of awkward inquiries. Any decent trial attorney would have that creepy family's laundry strung up all over the conference room during deposition.
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