Parents call for justice, not punishment

Tyler Clementi

The parents of, Tyler Clementi, a student who committed suicide after a film of him having sex was streamed live on the internet have said they don’t want the alleged culprit to receive ‘harsh punishment’.
But they said they still want the invasion of privacy case to go ahead to prove their son’s death was not the result of a mere ‘college prank.’

Exactly six months after his suicide, Mr. Clementi’s grieving parents issued a statement saying they still want justice for their son – but they don’t want his fellow student Dharun Ravi to be harshly punished.
Jane and Joseph Clementi’s lawyer told the Newark Star Ledger: ‘We feel it is important to establish accountability and to further establish that Tyler was subject to criminal acts, not merely a college prank as some may argue.’

Clementi, 18, jumped to his death from a bridge just a few weeks into his first term at Rutgers University, New Jersey after his roommate allegedly taped the gay encounter.

Ravi faces two charges of invasion of privacy after allegedly hiding a camera in Mr. Clementi’s room to film his intimate encounter with another man. He is also accused of trying to set up a second tape.

His classmate, Molly Wei, also faces invasion of privacy charges after she allegedly watched the video with Ravi.

Both students have since left Rutgers University and are on bail while prosecutors pursue the case. They have been neither arraigned nor indicted and the investigation is still ongoing.

Mr. and Mrs. Clementi said they want their son’s roommate, Dharun Ravi, prosecuted. They made no comment about Molly Wei, who was also charged.

Mr. and Mrs. Clementi’s lawyer, Paul Mainardi, said they would like the case to be resolved soon.

He said: ‘Now that the criminal investigation has been substantially completed, it is hoped that the prosecutor will announce additional charges against Tyler’s former roommate and proceed to submit those charges to the grand jury promptly.’

They did not comment on whether they wanted Wei to be prosecuted too.

Mr. Clementi is believed to have thrown himself off the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River on September 22 last year after discovering messages on Ravi’s Twitter page about the film.

He left a message on his Facebook page which said simply: “jumping off the gw bridge sorry”.

Since his death his parents, who are deeply private, have made plans for a foundation in his name, which they plan to launch in the next few weeks.

They told the Star-Ledger the Tyler Clementi Foundation will aim to help raise awareness about cyber-bullying and how the internet affects the privacy of young people.

Mr. and Mrs. Clementi said: “We have received overwhelming kindness and support from friends, neighbors, our church family and many good people who do not even know us — through cards, letters, calls, flowers, food and prayers.”

Earlier this month the Point Foundation announced it was launching a scholarship in Mr. Clementi’s memory, which will be awarded to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

Tyler Clementi was a gifted violinist. His death has served as a rallying point for anti-bullying and gay rights campaigners, became a focus for gay rights and anti-bullying campaigners, and brought about sweeping changes at Rutgers University.

In January, officials announced they will allow men and women to share rooms from September to make the campus more inclusive for gay students. Parents will not be allowed to veto their children’s choices, and undergraduates will not be asked to reveal if they are gay.

The university is also offering more training to help its staff deal with suicidal students, and has added a module on diversity and bullying to this summer’s freshman orientation program.