Trial begins in US webcam spying case

The trial of a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to spy on his roommate opened Friday with prosecutors saying he violated the dignity and privacy of the 18-year-old roommate,who later committed suicide.

Defence attorneys countered that Dharun Ravi,19,behaved childishly but did not commit a crime. If convicted,Ravi faces up to 10 years in prison. Ravi used a webcam in September 2010 to watch Tyler Clementi,who was kissing another man in their dormitory room.

This isnt about Dharun Ravi having to like Tyler Clementis sexual orientation8230; but it is about having the decency to respect it and to respect Tylers dignity and privacy, prosecutor Julia McClure told the jury.

Defence attorney Steven Altman emphasised Ravis youth,saying: Hes a boy,childish,at times immature. He was 18.