Ex-Rutgers student in webcam case to go to jail

Ex-Rutgers student in webcam case to go to jail

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A former Rutgers University student convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate has given up his right to remain free while New Jersey prosecutors appeal his 30-day jail sentence.

Dharun Ravi appeared today in state court in New Brunswick, N.J., to formally put on the record his decision to report to jail Thursday.

The state’s appeal of Superior Court Judge Glenn Berman’s sentence as too lenient had automatically stayed the sentence.

But Ravi announced Tuesday he had decided to start his jail term despite the appeal. He also issued his first public apology while continuing to deny his actions were motivated by hate or bigotry.

Ravi was convicted of bias intimidation and invasion of privacy in the spying on roommate Tyler Clementi, who later killed himself.