Rutgers gay-bias spying trial up to jury

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- After weeks of testimony, the case that kick-started national conversations about gay youths and Internet privacy was sent yesterday to a jury that must decide whether a former Rutgers University student is a criminal or just a young man who was confused by seeing two men kiss.

Dharun Ravi, now 20, is accused of viewing a few seconds of his roommate making out with another man in their dorm room and telling people about it in text messages, tweets and in person. He could face years in prison if convicted of charges including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation, a hate crime.

Lawyers gave their summations Tuesday in the case, which has received enormous attention because the roommate, Tyler Clementi, jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010.

Ravi could also face deportation to India, where he was born and remains a citizen, if he's convicted.

An expert says the risk of deportation is highest if he is convicted on the most serious charges.

Last year, prosecutors offered Ravi a plea bargain that called for no prison time -- and help avoiding deportation.

In theory, all 15 of the charges he faces -- among them are hindering apprehension, tampering with a witness and tampering with evidence -- could result in prison time.

But incarceration is likely only if he's convicted of one of the two second-degree bias intimidation charges he faces.