Prosecutors rest case in webcam trial

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Prosecutors rested their case yesterday in the trial of a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate's intimate encounter with another man.

Dharun Ravi's lawyers are expected to present several character witnesses starting today. His roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge on Sept. 22, 2010, days after his dorm room liaison.

Ravi's lawyers said their first witness is likely to be Frank DiNinno, an investigator for the prosecutor's office who worked on the case. On cross-examination of other witnesses, defense lawyers raised the idea that he was too friendly with the student witnesses in the case. A Rutgers University police detective could also be called.

Defense lawyers said he'll be followed by several students and others, some of them as character witnesses.

They'll also have to decide whether Ravi will take the stand. If he testifies, it won't be until at least Monday.

Ravi, now 20, is charged with 15 criminal counts, including invasion of privacy, bias intimidation and several crimes related to trying to cover up his actions.

He faces up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted of the most serious offense, bias intimidation. He also could be deported to India, where he was born and remains a citizen, if he's convicted on any counts.

Ravi isn't charged with Clementi's death, though in many ways the suicide lies at the heart of the case.

The prosecution called nearly two dozen witnesses in 10 days of testimony. The majority of them were college students who testified about seeing the web stream or being told about it. The other man who was seen in the video -- identified only by the initials M.B. -- also testified.

There was brief testimony Thursday focusing on the chain of custody of evidence, including computers and cellphones. Also, Judge Glenn Berman said he wouldn't dismiss any of the charges against Ravi.