30 Days in Jail for Webcam Spy: Is It Enough? [POLL]

Former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi, whose webcam set up to spy on his gay roommate Tyler Clementi may well have contributed to Clementi’s suicide, was sentenced in a New Jersey courtroom Monday — to 30 days in jail.

Ravi, 20, was found guilty in March of a “bias crime.” While at Rutgers, he had set up a webcam to spy on Clementi kissing another man — then shared everything he saw on Twitter.

During the trial, Clementi’s father noted that his son checked Ravi’s Twitter page 37 times just before committing suicide. Clementi jumped from the George Washington Bridge in 2010, after posting a message on his Facebook page: “Jumping off the gw bridge. Sorry.”

Clementi’s mother described Ravi as a cold fish who failed to look up from his computer and acknowledge her son when they first shared a room. Ravi’s defense: he set up the webcam in order to ensure Clementi’s lover did not steal Ravi’s iPad.

The judge noted that Ravi had not apologized for the crime, nor did he stand for sentencing. In addition to his month of jail time, he will also pay $10,000 in 300 monthly increments, and do 300 hours of community service and 3 years probation. The prosecution, seeking more jail time, says it will appeal.

Is it enough? Does the punishment fit the crime? Vote in our poll below, and let us know your take in the comments.

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