Dharun Ravi Gets 30-Day Sentence

He declines to speak in sentencing hearing
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 21, 2012 12:05 PM CDT
Dharun Ravi Gets 30-Day Sentence
Dharun Ravi's father, Ravi Pazhani, leads him as they leave court in New Brunswick, NJ, in this March 16, 2012 file photo.   (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

After declining to speak on his own behalf, Dharun Ravi was sentenced to 30 days in jail today for spying on and allegedly outing gay roommate Tyler Clementi. Ravi "stared wide-eyed at the judge" as the sentence was read, but had no other reaction, according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger. Ravi must report to jail on May 31, but in the meantime may return home. Judge Glenn Berman also said he would recommend Ravi not be deported.

It could have gone much worse for Ravi, who faced up to 10 years in prison, but Berman made clear he wasn't happy with Ravi's refusal to speak. "I heard this jury say guilty 288 times: 24 questions, 12 jurors, that's the multiplication," Berman said. "And I haven't heard you apologize once." Ravi's parents did speak, however, and they were defiant. "No one cared about the more truthful side of the story because it was not sensational," his father, Ravi Pazhani, complained. "We are not a homophobic family." (More Dharun Ravi stories.)

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