Ravi (Rutgers) gets 30 days in jail

[tazber]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 12:47pm

I know many gay groups and organizations lobbied for him to not receive any time at all.
Link

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 12:48pm

Cue the "this is a travesty" brigade.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:02pm

I don't think it is, really. After the discussions on this board about it once the verdict was announced I have come to the conclusion that while he definitely had homophobic intentions he really can't be blamed for the suicide.

It's the old argument that he didn't hold a gun to Clementi's head and say "jump". He contributed to what happened for sure, but clearly Clementi had deep rooted issues and his tragic suicide could have been triggered by any number of variables.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:06pm

I don't think it's a travesty. I think for all the crimes he was convicted of, this is still a pretty light sentence. Not that I'm calling for a longer one. I really just want Dharun Ravi to disappear from public consciousness (or at least my consciousness) after this. After all the handwringing here about how he was getting a raw deal (after the verdict, but before the sentencing) I just hope I never have to see this f@cker's face again.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:06pm

I agree with him not being the cause of the suicide. While it was a factor we have no idea what else went on or was said.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:09pm

And it also bears repeating that he wasn't convicted of driving Tyler Clementi to suicide.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:18pm

Aren't protesters getting more jail time than this guy?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:21pm

Can we stop hearing about him now? I'd have sentenced him to put on a live webcast...but that's just me.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:22pm

He's got to pay fines and do community service, too, so I think that coupled with the jail time seems about right to me.
Live blog: Dharun Ravi sentenced to 30 days in jail

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 1:38pm

I think this is a fair sentence, overall.

Never hearing from him again after this? Agreed!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 2:19pm

I still...STILL do not understand why the dumb F*CK didn't take the deal offered him!

He should get an additional 30 days just for being stupid.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 4:34pm

Michelangelo Signorile draws an interesting line from Mitt Romney pinning down a crying gay boy and chopping off his hair, which was not a crime in 1965, to Dahrun Ravi intimidating and humiliating his gay roommate without any physical assault, and how in 2012 that is now a felony.

He also points out that the judge made a distinction between "hate crime," which this wasn't, and "bias crime," which this was.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/ravi-romney-and-anti-gay_b_1533300.html

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 5:57pm

I'm not a legal expert but I'm really glad the judge didn't go anywhere near the maximum sentence. 10 years + a threat of deportation seemed incredibly harsh to me for a kid who truly could never have predicted the unfortunate consequences of his actions and still hasn't really given an indication that he is homophobic.

To be honest, between the fine, some jail time, probation, and community service, I think this was probably about as fair a sentence as possible.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 5/21/12 at 6:27pm

Thanks for the link, joey. I agree that the sentence was the right one. The jury did its job and so did the judge.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:22pm

I am not the least bit sympathethic to Ravi. Clearly the kid is an a**hole but I never felt he deserved the maximum sentence. Ravi's actions aside, I think there were probably several contributing factors that lead to the suicide of Tyler Clementi.

So for some who think Ravi just got a slap on the wrist, you have to take into account that his life is forever ruined (by his doing, of course). He has a criminal record now that will affect his ability to gain employment and in some cases housing. He will forever be known as the guy who caused his roommate to commit suicide...even if it wasn't the main cause.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:25pm

I think he'll be okay, really. I've read enough "Boys will be boys" comments (as well as "Would we have cared if the gay kid didn't kill himself?" and "Would it have been different if the other kid wasn't gay?") to know that he's got plenty of people sympathetic to him out there.

Like I said earlier, I really hope he just fades away and we never have to hear about him again.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:35pm

I was attempting to talk to a friend about who it was right not to charge Ravi with "manslaughter" but I just gave up because her mind wouldn't be changed.

And, as as already been stated, this will hang over him for the rest of his life. Can he ever complete his degree at this point? I can't imagine him being accepted into any schools.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:37pm

I'm sure Bob Jones would accept him.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:45pm

I am thinking Jaime Cepero will will an Emmy in the Lifetime Movie "Watching the Sadness: The Dharun Ravi Story."

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/23/12 at 1:45pm

Also, he's spending 30 days in jail with men. If he is homophobic (and not homosexual as as been suggested) his time spent in jail may be extra unpleasant.

But, my point is that his actual sentence is much more than what is shown on paper.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/30/12 at 2:31pm

Since I'm bumping this, I want to start by saying I've read Eris's comment about 20 times and I'm still not sure what she means.

At any rate, I don't agree with everything David Ehrenstein says, but I think this is worth a read.
Fait Diver: A "Sincere" Apology