Lawyer Gives Perspective on Ravi Verdict, Says: It’s Extremely Shocking

Now that a jury has found Dharun Ravi guilty of a host of charges in the Rutgers webcam spy case – including invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, witness tampering and hindering arrest – experts say the legal implications could be very significant.

Noted New Jersey criminal defense attorney Greg Gianforcaro describes the verdict as a landmark case – a very significant decision that could mean  any invasion of privacy cases that are prosecuted in the future may be tied to the sexual orientation of the alleged victim.

Gianforcaro says he was shocked when the jury announced Dharun Ravi had been convicted of some of the most serious charges in the case.

“The fact that it was second degree bias intimidation,” he says, “Which meant that he was found guilty of third degree invasion of privacy – it’s extremely shocking….the reason Ravi was found guilty of third degree invasion of privacy was because they were viewing Tyler Clementi’s private parts (on video) – the issue here is, the only private parts they viewed was Tyler Clementi’s chest…a lot of people have said that they don’t feel looking at a man’s chest is a viewing of one’s private parts, so I think that is the biggest issue that the defense is going to raise on appeal.”

READ MORE:

• ARTICLE: Tyler Clementi's Father Reacts To Dharun Ravi Verdict
• ARTICLE: Jury Finds Dharun Ravi Guilty in Rutgers Webcam Trial
• SECTION: Following the Dharun Ravi Trial