Tyler Clementi's guest, "M.B.," expected to testify in court in Rutgers spycam trial
(CBS) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The man with whom Tyler Clementi had an intimate encounter is expected to take the stand as early as Wednesday in the trial of former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi, CNN reports.
The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that for more than a year, Clementi's date has been identified by only his initials, "M.B.," as the court tried to protect him and help his "continuous and overwhelming" fear that his identity would be revealed in the invasion of privacy case.
All the public knows thus far about the mystery man is that he doesn't want to be known. His appearance will be part of a dramatic close to the prosecution's case against Ravi.
M.B.'s attorney, Richard Pompelio, says his client is apprehensive but resolute about his upcoming testimony. Asked to describe M.B.'s mood on the eve of his first public appearance in the case, Pompelio said, "How would you feel when you know you're going to have open heart surgery the next day?"
"He's coming into a strange environment over which he has unfortunately no control, and he's going to do the best he can to get through the thing unscathed," Pompelio said. "He knows it's got to be done."
As the case wound its way to trial, Pompelio failed to convince a judge to keep M.B's name, address and phone number a secret from the defense.
However, the judge will allow M.B to testify without using his name and he is not allowing him to be videotaped or photographed.
Prosecutors say that in September 2010, Ravi and another student used a webcam to spy on and broadcast images of Clementi and his guest in his dorm room without his knowledge.
Days later, Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge.
Ravi, 20, now faces a 15-count indictment that includes charges of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, tampering with physical evidence, witness tampering and hindering apprehension or prosecution.
Complete coverage of Tyler Clementi and the Dharun Ravi trial on Crimesider
