I think dharun ravi is responsible and the cause of tyler taking his own life and should receive at least 10 years in prison and serve the full 10 years. This will give him plenty of time to think about what he did.

"Is it fair to blame Ravi for Clementi's death? Was Clementi's suicide a direct result of the taping? What do you think?"

Even prosecutors don't think this, he's not charged with this, so what is the point of speculation?

I know that I would not like it for someone to point a computer's camera (smaller then a pencil's eraser) at my bed so that they could record & broadcast my most intimate moments. What's the reason, the purpose, of doing this; other then to bully & humillate to the point of not wanting to live any more. Ravi did this out of hate & immaturity.....which is not proof of cause of death....but it's damn close.

If he is found guilty, he could lose his immigration status and be sent back to his country of origin, after completing his sentence.

From what all I have read I am not convinced Dharun bullied Tyler because he is gay, but I'm not convinced that it wasn't a factor either. I DO think Dharun bullied Tyler because he thaught he could and thought of Tyler as inferior. Dharun strikes me as one of those kids who thinks nothing is their fault (his refusal of the plea deal as example). He refuses to take responsibility for his actions. His parents did not do a good job making sure that growing up priveliged did not lead to a sense of entitlement and total lack of empathy. Personally I hope he is convicted of the invasion and interfering charges and the feds begin deportation proceedings. Just because your family has been successful does not give any person the right to treat other people that way. Dharun strikes me as a spoiled little rich kid with a massive sense of entitlement who thinks he is above the law.

His defense lawyer's claim that Ravi set up the camera to keep an eye on his belongings (specifically an I-Pad) is a complete lie! I say it is a lie for two reasons, First if he was worried about his I-Pad the camera would have been pointed at the I-Pad and NOT Tyler's bed. Second, the second attempt to view Tyler and his friend while also broadcasting it in order to get more people to watch it contradicts the premise that they didn't intend to view Tyler's romantic activities.

This is a tragic death of a bright young man. Ravi is a citizen of India, and this is an observation, not an excuse, homosexual sexual relationships were a crime in India up until 2009. How his upbringing and cultural influences impacted his view of his room mate is unknown.

I found this instructive. I feel for Tyler and anyone who cannot be him or her self. But it seems Tyler had issues prior to the taping, so I don't for a second think that its a simple as he was taped and it led to him killing himself. It didn't help, but this poor kid had issues before he got to Rutgers.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2010/09/30/can_we_pause_before_blaming_the_webcam_wielding_roommate_for_tyler_clementis_suicide.html

Tyler, he killed himself. Why is everybody looking to blame others? Tyler's actions are his, and only his responsibility. Yes, Ravi may have had privacy issues, but nothing in the trial rises to the level of criminal action. Let us face it, a 'political correct gay' society is looking for revenge, pure and simple.

Blame a culture that allows judgment by "Bullies". A category which should definitely include our Governor.

I think that Ravi and the general anti gay bias in society helped push Tyler to commit suicide, however, Ravi is not being tried for Tylers suicide but for invasion of privacy.

Imagine that your daughter had gone away to college and was in her first month at school. Imagine that she invited a guest over and her roomate set a webcam pointing to your daughters bed and taped your daughter in an intimate encounter with her guest and posted it on the internet. I can't imagine anyone not being outraged at this. This would be similar to a person sticking a camera in your bedroom window!

Had Tyler not discovered this heinous act, it was obviously that Ravi was going to continue to put on a show for his friends and invite more to join in the fun at Tylers expense.

I have very little sympathy for Ravi. I do however feel sorry for M. B. and Ravi's college friends that he dragged into this mess and Tyler's family and friends.

Maybe the question should be 'who did Tyler blame for his death'. Since the note Tyler left in his backpack will not come into the trial, as it should not, only his parents might get to see it. I don't think they have seen it yet or have any idea what it contains. Perhaps that is for the better.

My two cents worth is that Ravi intended to hurt, bully, shame, humiliate, embarrass his roommate because of his sexual orientation.
Ravi, according to the prosecutors, made several failed attempts to alter what he wrote on his Twitter and Facebook accounts. The forensics from his hard drive prove that he had hate in his heart and made a conscience decision to cause Tyler harm.
I have little doubt that Ravi was responsible for Tyler's death indirectly. He pushed him over the "psycological edge".
I just wish that people would learn to live and let live.

"First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the homosexuals and I did not speak out because I was not a homosexual.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." -Martin Niemoller (1892-1984)

My heart goes out the Clemente family. I am sorry for your loss. Dharun Ravi is not responsible for someones suicide. Suicide by definition is taking your own life. If someone can make you do this there are much deeper issues at hand.

This incident certainly illustrates the gap between user maturity/intent and the possibly grave consequences of technology use. It used to be that the worst a dopey kid could do is break a few windows or steal some junk. Now, lives can be destroyed in an instant by immature or malicious persons with a few mouse-clicks.

Don't misunderstand me, but I think Ted Kaczynski was on to something when he criticized technology for its dehumanizing effects.

I find this poll incredibly insensitive and inappropriate. I think being respectful of the family's loss would include not polling our community's opinion on the causes of his death. When I think of a poll I think of what is the best Italian restaurant in town or who has the best ice cream. I do not think of making light of someone's tragic loss. This is incredibly offensive and I hope that out of respect for the family you will shut this poll down. Let the courts do their work.

I agree Jeanne...I wanted to say something, too, but couldn't come up with the words. This is bothersome.