Student in webcam spy case reports to jail

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Dharun Ravi, convicted of using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate, reported to jail yesterday as the victim's parents rejected his written apology as a "public relations piece" and said the judge missed an opportunity to highlight the seriousness of bias crimes.

Ravi, 20, checked into the county jail after agreeing to give up his right to remain free while prosecutors appeal his 30-day sentence.

His then-roommate at Rutgers University, Tyler Clementi, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010, just days after Ravi used a webcam to see him kissing another man.

Ravi declined to speak at his sentencing last week, during which Judge Glenn Berman scolded him for not apologizing. This week, Ravi issued a statement in which he called his actions "thoughtless, insensitive, immature, stupid and childish."

Joseph and Jane Clementi issued a statement calling Ravi's apology insincere. The Clementis said they were troubled by the judge's decision not to impose more jail time.

Ravi was convicted of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation on the basis of sexual orientation, an offense referred to as a hate crime, and trying to cover his tracks by destroying text messages and tweets and tampering with a witness. -- AP