Cyber-Bullying
Paper details:
In September 2010, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge. The suicide occurred after the 18-year-old discovered that his intimate encounter with another man in his dorm room was broadcast on the Internet. The offenders, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, set up a webcam and live streamed Clementi’s encounter without his knowledge. In April 2011, Ravi was indicted on 15 counts, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation. Wei was offered a plea bargain to testify against Ravi. Neither offender was charged with the death of Tyler Clementi. Questions remain as to whether this was merely a display of cyber-hate or if this incident could legally be deemed a hate crime.
For this assignment, review the Tyler Clementi case and think about whether or not Clementi’s right to privacy was violated. Consider whether the offense should be considered cyber-hate or a hate crime. Then think about why the offenders were not legally charged with Clementi’s death.
The Assignment (2–3 pages)
• Explain whether or not Tyler Clementi’s constitutional right to privacy was violated.
• Explain whether the offense should be considered cyber-hate or classified as a hate crime.
Explain why the offenders were not legally charged with the death of Tyler Clementi.