The parents of Tyler Clementi have decided not to sue anyone associated with the Rutgers University student’s suicide.
Joseph and Jane Clementi filed court papers shortly after Tyler’s suicide, preserving their right to sue Rutgers for damages, but the deadline has passed. Rutgers has since made significant efforts to improve LGBT life on campus and last year co-sponsored a symposium on bullying and social media with the Clementis.
The attorney for Dharun Ravi, Tyler’s roommate who used a webcam to spy on him with another man, seems perplexed by the Clementis’ decision, however. Ravi was sentenced to 30 days in jail, of which he served 20, and three years of probation. At the time the Clementis thought his punishment was too light and subsequently rejected his apology as a publicity piece.
“Somebody should ask them why, why they would not take action against Rutgers University or my client,” said Steve Altman.
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That question was already answered by the Clementi family attorney, Paul Mainardi.”The Clementi family made a considered decision to not pursue civil suits. They are devoting their energies to the positive work of the Tyler Clementi Foundation.”
Little-Kiwi
Good. They should’t. By their own admission they raised Tyler in an anti-gay Christian denomination and church. THAT had much more of an impact on him than anything Ravi had done. Truth.
If Clementi had been raised to not feel that gay was “wrong”, if he’d been raised to feel that gay was not a “sin”, if he’d been raised in a country where leading political leaders didn’t spew anti-gay hate to rapturous applause from their bigoted followers than Ravi’s words and actions would have been meaningless tripe.
I’m not saying that was Ravi did didn’t contribute to Clementi’s death – but I *am* saying that we’re completely ignoring the root cause of Clementi’s suicide by focusing on Ravi.
Totally.
jwrappaport
Rutgers’s liability seems farfetched to me, but I would love to have seen Ravi dragged through another public trial – there was not a shred of contrition in him at sentencing, and it’s not apparent he learned anything from the experience. He got off with a slap on the wrist as far as this armchair judge is concerned. I wanted at least six months to one year.
I’m reminded, though, of something a lawyer told me once: civil trials, regardless of whether you prevail, are often a very painful experience for everyone involved, and should not be undertaken save in the most dire circumstances. I imagine the parents simply didn’t want to relive Tyler’s untimely death throughout what would likely be very public, very protracted litigation.
Rockery
I guess at some point enough is enough
Rockery
@Little-Kiwi:
No love from you! But it’s true…
balehead
They’re guilty as hell..and they know it!!
Eric Auerbach
Considering that his mom’s rejection probably played a much larger role in Tyler’s suicide than what Ravi did, and that throughout all this that judgmental harpy has refused to accept all responsibility for what happened and instead fed into the Ravi-did-it narrative, I really think it’s rich of them to say that they won’t pursue legal actions against them. How magnanimous.
redspyder
PURSUING not Persuing.
As in “Tyler Clementi’s Family Not Pursuing Legal Action Against Rutgers, Dharun Ravi”
Bad enough that Journalism has declined to the point that Ryan Seacrest gets invited to cover the election as a news correspondent… we have to hold the line at using actual words.
Cam
”
“Somebody should ask them why, why they would not take action against Rutgers University or my client,” said Steve Altman.”
__________________________
The lawyer is stupid or very greedy for saying that. His case is over, he lost, they tried to throw mud at the dead kind and do every other kind of smear. All his carping does is point out that the family COULD have sued and they didn’t.
To win a civil suit against somebody is easier than a criminal case. The guy already LOST the criminal case which basically guarentees a civil win.
O.J. got a not guilty verdict and still got nailed in the civil case.
My guess is, this lawyer would LOVE a case because it would be thousands of additional dollars for him even though he knows it would be a loser for his client.
gppm1103
Yes, what a stupid statement from the attorney. Guess he’ll just have to hunt down another person to put on trial.
It is so obvious that all he gives a crap about is the money.
KDub
Wasn’t he like super scared his mom would find out he was gay; why did he feel that way? Maybe mom should sue herself and stop trying to blame Rutgers.
Provine
As Christians, I suspect they’re both secretly pleased Tyler killed himself. So what if he’s in hell? They’re going to heaven.
Provine
As Christians, I suspect that they’re privately quite happy that Tyler killed himself. It’s what their guide book instructs, after all.
Provine
As Christians, I suspect that they’re privately quite happy that Tyler killed himself. It’s what their guide book instructs.
Provine
As Christians, I suspect that they’re privately quite happy that Tyler killed himself. It’s what their guide book instructs, and they didn’t even have to do any of the real work.