NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The two Rutgers students, who have been charged in connection with broadcasting a sexual encounter of another student, who later killed himself, have withdrawn from the university.
Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, both 18, have been accused of using a Web cam to watch Ravi’s roommate, Tyler Clementi, have an intimate encounter with another man. Wei, who is in good student standing, withdrew because of safety concerns, reports NJ.com. Ravi has also withdrawn, although he has not stated a reason for leaving.
If the duo returns to Rutgers, they potentially face expulsion as a result of violating the student code that forbids students to record images of anyone on university property or in a private situation without his/her knowledge.
Both have been charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for taping the Sept. 19 encounter. Moreover, Ravi is charged with additional invasion of privacy counts for allegedly setting up a Web cam to videotape a second tryst on Sept. 21.
Ravi was released on $25,000 bond, while Wei is free on her own recognizance. Prosecutors are considering upgrading the charges to bias crimes because of Clementi’s sexual orientation.
