Student Involved In Tyler Clementi’s Suicide Avoids Jail Time

Just weeks after former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi was indicted on invasion of privacy and bias charges for his alleged role in the tragic suicide of his roommate, Tyler Clementi, last September, the student who supposedly helped Ravi has been approved for a pretrial intervention program that will allow her to avoid criminal prosecution.

Molly Wei was also a Rutgers freshman when she and Ravi allegedly used a computer webcam to view a sexual encounter between Clementi and another man, which they then broadcast online. Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge three days later, apparently in response to Ravi and Wei’s actions and later attempts to spy on him. Last month, Ravi was indicted, both for his potential role in spying on Clementi, but also because prosecutors claim that he urged witnesses not to testify against him, and deleted a tweet telling his followers to watch Clementi online. The charges could result in 5 to 10 years of prison.

Wei, however, may escape without serving jail time. She has agreed to a pretrial intervention program, which includes 300 hours of community service and participation in cooperation to avoid cyberbullying. She will also testify against Ravi in court.

Tyler Clementi’s parents said that they approved of harsher treatment for Ravi, explaining that while they felt that Wei had made a misguided decision, they hoped that the intervention program would help her “become a person who makes better decisions, a person who helps people and a person who shows kindness to those she comes into contact with.”

It’s hard to know what exactly Wei’s role was in the bullying that caused Clementi’s death, but it seems plain that her life has already been irrevocably altered by the fallout from her actions. Such a program may not be possible for Ravi, since he seems to have been the primary instigator in a hate crime.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mark Alan D.

11:28PM PDT on Oct 19, 2011

FYI - Thursday, October 20, 2011 is International SPIRIT DAY - one of the minor holidays on the LGBT Calendar. It is asked that you wear a PURPLE SHIRT as a sign of LGBT support, and in memory of the LGBT Teens who have died because of their orientation.

send a green star

Jerry t.

5:36PM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

Court deals to turn witness only frees the rats. But if she can move on from this, justice is served. Justice does not live in jail.
The lesson here? If I do something, it's ok if I can blame someone else.
This is not justice. Justice is adjustment, not judgement. Punishment is vengeance.

Annmari L.

12:45PM PDT on Jul 12, 2011

Nicole M.: You must not have read the full story of this cruel crime against another human being. Go back and do your homework before excusing the two perps. They DID actually push the young man to kill himself. Maybe if you were in a similar situation you would understand how hard it can be to be young and bullied for who you love AND have your privacy invaded and posted online for all to see. Maybe then you will understand.

Jane L.

6:01PM PDT on May 22, 2011

I would agree with those who feel that the girl got a lighter sentence when it was TWO of them who were involved in the incident. Tho that may be the case, she knows what she did, what she contributed to. If she could hear her conscience, the guilt would be enough to imprison her for the rest of her life. After all, she really did conspire to the death of another human being. That can not be taken lightly.

Don G.

7:38AM PDT on May 13, 2011

I just wish someone could've done something for Tyler before he jumped...

Didn't anyone ask about the guy he had an encounter with? I can't help but wonder what happened to him after...

Shanie M.

1:32PM PDT on May 11, 2011

Cyberbullying is so-o-o wrong & evil on every level. Anyone descending to this level of bullying MUST be stopped! No parental intervention, etc. Punishment must be given...a bully is a bully, is a bully...and the majority of bullies are cowards, envious & jealous cowards!

Doug D.

2:21AM PDT on May 11, 2011

I hate to say it, but I believe she is getting light treatment because she is a female. I don't think it is right, but our justice system tends to sentence males more strictly. I don't think it is right at all the she be released without serving time as she was just as involved as Ravi, and knew that what they were doing was wrong.

Mick R.

11:00PM PDT on May 10, 2011

Both these people deserve serious jail time. This is typical of our justice system. The woman should not get a deal. By the way, Maureen L., why should one get "the maximum sentence" and the other walk away basically free and clear. Something lacking in your sense of justice as far as I'm concerned.

Lin M.

5:17PM PDT on May 10, 2011

Well if it were my child who died, how ever he did, some one is at fault, their actions is what killed him. Punish both or all involved.

trina f.

12:01PM PDT on May 10, 2011

Nobody has the right to invade the private activities of innocent people, including the federal government. To excuse intrusion of any aspect of daily life as acceptable, logical (I.e., as a safety measure) or normal is a mistake & will make us prey to abuse.

These two people intended to exploit & thereby injure this young man, by making him into a clown. They turned him into a spectacle, subjected his sex life as a source of entertainment & disgraced his character. No, they did not murder him, but they paved a path for his suicide.