NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The trial of a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate’s intimate liaison with another man began yesterday with questions about whether the defendant had a problem with gay people.
A prosecutor told jurors that Dharun Ravi, now 19, spied on roommate Tyler Clementi and acted maliciously “to deprive him of his dignity.’’ Clementi, in an act that sparked a national conversation about the bullying of young gays, committed suicide days after the alleged spying in September 2010.
I wasn't bullied for that; however, as I look back in life I realized I was sexually abused at summer camp and bullied in high school.
Ravi’s lawyer said his client is not bigoted. “He may be stupid at times,’’ defense attorney Steven Altman said in his opening statement. “He’s an 18-year-old boy, but he’s certainly not a criminal.’’
His attitude matters in the trial because the 15 charges Ravi faces include bias intimidation, which can carry a 10-year prison sentence.
To get a conviction on that charge, prosecutors must persuade jurors that Ravi acted out of bias against gays.
Ravi also is charged with invasion of privacy. And he is accused of trying to cover his tracks by taking measures including deleting a Twitter message and instructing a witness what to tell police. He is not charged with Clementi’s death.
Of course, it's okay if the government does it.
In her opening statement, prosecutor Julia McClure did not mention Clementi’s suicide....
--more--"
Related: Rutgers Roomates
At least they got there:
"New Jersey trooper’s triplets in bus crash" by Associated Press | February 17, 2012
CHESTERFIELD, N.J. - A dump truck collided with a bus carrying elementary schoolchildren yesterday, killing an 11-year-old daughter of a state trooper and critically injuring three other students - two of them the triplet sisters of the dead girl, authorities said.
The accident occurred just after 8 a.m. at a four-way intersection in Chesterfield, south of Trenton. It sent the bus, with 25 students aboard, crashing sideways into a traffic signal pole, crumbling the side. Police said 17 students received injuries, most of them minor....
Chesterfield police Chief Kyle Wilson said the bus had a stop sign while the dump truck had a flashing yellow light....
No charges were filed. Police said the investigation was incomplete....
Neighbors openly wept near the accident scene.
The town of about 8,000 residents has thousands of acres of preserved farmland, but also a lot of new home construction near the school.
Chesterfield Elementary has nearly 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
--more--"
And off-campus:
NJ house fire claims 5, including 4 children
"Man who shot deputy must pay $5.9m" Associated Press, February 13, 2012
TRENTON, N.J. - An off-duty New Jersey county sheriff’s officer who was shot and seriously wounded when he tried to intervene in a domestic dispute has won a $5.9 million civil judgment against the gunman....
--more--"
