Dharun Ravi, the young man who, last year, thought it would be cute to secretly videotape 18-year-old Tyler Clementi as he had sex with another young man then post it to the Internet Friday rejected a plea deal that would've kept him out of prison AND help prevent his deportation back to his native India. Really? He'd rather go to trial in February, where he won't get any deals from the State. And, I think that's appropriate. His foolish actions cost the life of an 18-year-old just starting to find his way in life. Tyler Clementi had just started his college career at Rutgers, as had Ravi. Ravi's decision to expose Tyler, shame him, instead costed his life. If we're to send the message that we will have zero-tolerance for bullying, I don't think he SHOULD get anything but the stiffest penalties allowable by law. Make no mistake: many of these young people who bully understand that the worst that will happen to them is a slap on the wrist. Big deal. "Three days detention"!? Not a problem. Complete expulsion and jail time? They'd think twice before bullying these young, vulnerable people.
Dharun Ravi deserves to pay for his actions. Tyler Clementi paid because of them.
I totally agree with you. He should go to jail for a long time.
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