Ex-Rutgers student in webcam spy case released from jail

Chip East / Reuters

Dharun Ravi, right, convicted of a hate crime for using a webcam to spy on his roommate's gay tryst, leaves Middlesex County jail with his attorney, Steve Altman left, Tuesday in North Brunswick, N.J.

By msnbc.com news services

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi, convicted of bias crimes for using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate's sexual encounter, was released from a New Jersey jail on Tuesday after serving 20 days of his 30-day sentence.

Ravi, 20, clean-shaven when he entered prison, left looking unshaven when?his lawyer, Steven Altman, picked him up from?the Middlesex County jail shortly after 8:30 a.m. ET. They left from a side exit and avoided a throng of media awaiting his release. Ravi did not comment as he left.

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Ravi?began his jail term on May 31 after being convicted March 15 of bias crimes for using a computer-mounted dorm room webcam to spy on his roommate, Tyler Clementi, 18, and an older man Clementi?met online. Days after learning that Ravi had snooped on him and used social media to urge others to watch as well, Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in September 2010.

Ravi automatically was given five days off for good behavior and five for working, allowing him to leave after serving 20 days of his 30-day sentence imposed by Judge Glenn Berman, who could have given him a 10-year prison sentence. Ravi still faces three years of probation, plus more than $11,000 in fines and assessments, 300 hours of community service, and counseling.

AFP - Getty Images

Tyler Clementi in one of his Facebook profile pictures obtained Sept. 30, 2010.

Prosecutors are appealing the sentence, arguing that Ravi should have to serve more time for his actions. Ravi is appealing the conviction, saying he is not guilty.

Ravi?will?start paying off the fines and begin working on the community service part of his sentence, his lawyer said.

His time in jail was nearly as long as his time as a Rutgers student. He could have sought to stay out of jail during his appeal.

On Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they would not seek to deport Ravi, an Indian citizen who has lived most of his life in the United States.

See earlier coverage of the Dharun Ravi-Tyler Clementi case

The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart talks with msnbc's Alex Wagner about the sentencing of Dharun Ravi for spying on his roommate's gay tryst.

The Associated Press and Reuters contibuted to this report.

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