Ravi's use of a webcam to spy on his roommate may have led to the student's suicide. (Creative Commons)

Defense attorneys argued that twenty-year-old Ravi did not deserve to serve time behind bars and rejected the notion, presented by the prosecution, that Ravi's spying had been motivated by an anti-gay bias.

Despite the relatively light sentence, the judge had harsh words for Ravi during sentencing.

“You lied to your roommate who placed his trust in you without any conditions, and you violated it,” said the judge, Glenn Berman of New Jersy's State Superior Court. “I haven’t heard you apologize once.”

Eighteen-year-old Tyler Clementi was Ravi's roommate. He threw himself over the George Washington Bridge shortly after learning Ravi had videotaped his romantic encounters.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

While Ravi never was accused of causing Clementi’s death, the circumstances sparked a national debate on bullying and other pressures facing gay youths. During the trial, prosecutors sought to portray Ravi as a homophobic, self-satisfied college freshman who took pleasure in humiliating his shy, sensitive roommate.

Clementi's family appeared displeased by the verdict. They and their attorney cancelled a scheduled post-verdict press conference but did say that they would appeal.

Ravi faces possible deportation as he was born in India and still maintains his citizenship there. The judge has added a special notation to his sentence, however, recommending he not be deported, CBS reported. Ravi must report to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional facility by May 31.

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