Defense says Dahrun Ravi was immature

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The attorney for a Rutgers student accused of spying on a gay roommate says the young man's actions were immature but not criminal.

Dahrun Ravi, 19, allegedly used a webcam to spy on Tyler Clementi, 18, kissing another male student on Sept. 19, 2010. The videos were never posted online but Ravi publicly tweeted about the incident.

Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge and died three days later.

Ravi is charged with invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, witness tampering, and hindering arrest.

In the opening statement Friday at Ravi's trial, defense attorney Steven Altman said Ravi was not homophobic, ABC News reported.

"You're going to see evidence that Dahrun is not homophobic, not anti-gay. Evidence that he never recorded, never broadcast images of his roommate. He never harassed his roommate, or ridiculed or spoke negatively about his roommate. He thought he was nice guy and had no problem with him," Altman said.

Altman said Ravi occasionally acted immaturely when discussing his roommate's sexuality among his friends. "He might be stupid at times, but he's 18 years old and he's certainly not criminal," Altman said.

Prosecutor Julie McClure said Ravi's efforts to watch Clementi's date with a man was planned, malicious and criminal. She said Ravi targeted and ridiculed Clementi for being gay.