Distressed Tyler Clementi Had Sought Room Change
Evidence is emerging that Tyler Clementi tried to get Rutgers University officials to change his dorm room before he took his own life.
Clementi, 18, a promising violinist from Ridgewood, N.J., is the freshman who leaped to his death from the George Washington Bridge after, police say, he learned that his roommate had secretly streamed video of him in a sexual encounter with another man.
There will be a moment of silence Saturday before Rutgers University's homecoming football game to remember Clementi.
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Tyler Clementi Suicide Result of Hate Crime?
Tyler Clementi, Taped Having Sex, Kills Self
He was supposed to play with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra Saturday for the first time.
Instead, the performance will be dedicated in his memory, and his chair left empty.
On Friday, students wore black as they signed condolence cards on campus.
Clementi's roommate, Dharun Ravi, of Plainsboro, N.J., and another student, and Molly Wei, of Princeton, N.J., both 18, are charged with invasion of privacy, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison if they're convicted.
Police say Ravi streamed the video twice - apparently enough, reports CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor, to make Clementi request the room transfer.
In a Web posting on Sept. 22, Clementi said, "I ran to the nearest RA (dorm residents' assistant) and set this thing in motion. … We'll see what happens. … He seemed to take it seriously. … He asked me to e-mail him a written paragraph about what exactly happened. … I e-mailed it to him, and to two people above him."
Rutgers hasn't said how far that request got but, Glor says, Clementi jumped from the bridge.
On Friday, in the wake of Clementi's death, N.J. State Sen. Shirley Turner introduced a bill that would raise the maximum fine for privacy invasion from $15,000 to $150,000 and would hike the possible prison sentence to five to 10 years from the current three to five. Turner says "severe consequences" are needed in cases like this.
Even if the new legislation passes, officials say, Ravi and Wei would face penalties under the current law.
But Middlesex County, N.J. Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan said Thursday that more charges were possible under the state's hate-crimes law.
Copyright 2010 CBS. All rights reserved. Clementi, 18, a promising violinist from Ridgewood, N.J., is the freshman who leaped to his death from the George Washington Bridge after, police say, he learned that his roommate had secretly streamed video of him in a sexual encounter with another man.
There will be a moment of silence Saturday before Rutgers University's homecoming football game to remember Clementi.
Voice Your Opinion
Tyler Clementi Suicide Result of Hate Crime?
Tyler Clementi, Taped Having Sex, Kills Self
He was supposed to play with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra Saturday for the first time.
Instead, the performance will be dedicated in his memory, and his chair left empty.
On Friday, students wore black as they signed condolence cards on campus.
Clementi's roommate, Dharun Ravi, of Plainsboro, N.J., and another student, and Molly Wei, of Princeton, N.J., both 18, are charged with invasion of privacy, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison if they're convicted.
Police say Ravi streamed the video twice - apparently enough, reports CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor, to make Clementi request the room transfer.
In a Web posting on Sept. 22, Clementi said, "I ran to the nearest RA (dorm residents' assistant) and set this thing in motion. … We'll see what happens. … He seemed to take it seriously. … He asked me to e-mail him a written paragraph about what exactly happened. … I e-mailed it to him, and to two people above him."
Rutgers hasn't said how far that request got but, Glor says, Clementi jumped from the bridge.
On Friday, in the wake of Clementi's death, N.J. State Sen. Shirley Turner introduced a bill that would raise the maximum fine for privacy invasion from $15,000 to $150,000 and would hike the possible prison sentence to five to 10 years from the current three to five. Turner says "severe consequences" are needed in cases like this.
Even if the new legislation passes, officials say, Ravi and Wei would face penalties under the current law.
But Middlesex County, N.J. Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan said Thursday that more charges were possible under the state's hate-crimes law.
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1) Tyler was an 18 year old young man; he had only been at Rutgers for a month or a little over.
2) Tyler was adapting to a life at college, a roommate who apparently was homophobic, and having to start over in a new area and new life.
3) Now look at the fact he was a homosexual, did his parents know? Was he the type of young man to be out of the closet? Was he scared about his own sexuality and terrified of the rejection he may have received from family, friends, or acquaintances? Was he struggling with the fact he was different?
For anyone to judge what this young man did is wrong, unless you have been severely depressed in your life, terrified, and traumatized by society, than you may have a right to judge Tyler.
Depression, fear, and being ostracized from one?s circle is very traumatizing for anyone. Young gay men have a difficult time being gay. Anyone who knows a gay person or is gay, are always concerned with how they will be treated in our society. It is not fun for anyone to be left out or judged by society.
NJ has allowed civil unions, but that is not marriage. Laws are not supposed to be based on religious values; the idea of the constitution does state church and state are to remain separate. Federal law is above state law.
Gays and Lesbians need a Federal Law for marriage. NJ is a liberal state and every person needs to have the right to marry whoever they feel fit to marry. We need better laws that will protect gays and lesbians from hate crimes, discrimination, and from being an example like Tyler Clementi. Tyler is the victim here, he impulsively took his own life, but what part of that did his roommate have in it all?
The two 18 year olds who are charged with crime have ruined their lives. What college will accept them? What company will hire them? This is a horrific situation for all parties involved.
The Bible was written by human beings with human foibles. It is not the word of God, but men's interpretations of what they believe to be God's word.
Your condemnation of gay/lesbian Americans is nothing less than ignorant and homophobic.You cause great harm to those who are different than you by your rantings. Change your ways.
In any event, given the understanding/acceptance of same sex partners in today's western society and beyond. I wish that young Clementi did NOT have to take such drastic measures ... it is very sorrowful. Deepest sympathy to his parents "May his Soul Rest in Peace."
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that there is some convoluted logic kenny.
I cannot understand or accept the reason why someone else's sexual behavior in or out of their bedroom has anything to do with me or you or anyone else!! Jesus stood for love and light, if one wants to think Christian, not hate and judgment and disrespect and ridicule. What kind of background/family/religion do you come from? Surely isn't the same as mine. Might be wise to rethink your biased view of the world!!!!
"Everything gets on the internet" as far as you know, has any of your sexual encounters been posted anywhere???