Not guilty plea for Dharun Ravi, suspected Tyler Clementi harrasser
(CBS/WCBS/AP) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The attorney for Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student accused of secretly spying on his roommate Tyler Clementi's same-sex romantic encounter and broadcasting it on the Internet, entered a not guilty plea on Ravi's behalf.
Clementi killed himself days after the incident.
Ravi faces 15 charges, the most serious of which could land him 10 years in prison.
It was the first court appearance for the 19-year-old. Ravi, of Plainsboro, was silent throughout the court appearance, which lasted less than 10 minutes. Clementi's parents and brother sat in the back of the courtroom for the brief hearing.
Lawyer Steven Altman entered the not guilty plea for Ravi and waived having the indictment against him read in court.
Clementi's suicide in September reignited the debate over bullying and led to a criminal investigation into whether Ravi's actions played a role in his death.
Prosecutors in Middlesex County, New Jersey said Ravi's use of a computer webcam to view Clementi's same-sex dorm room encounter amounted to bias intimidation, which is a felony.
Ravi's friend, 19-year-old Molly Wei, entered a pre-trial intervention program, and must, if asked, testify truthfully against Ravi, who faces a 15-count indictment.
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Coverage of Tyler Clementi on Crimesider
