A former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate's intimate encounter with another man won't take the witness stand in his own defense, his lawyer told the judge as he rested his case Monday.
Prosecutors presented about 20 witnesses over 10 days as they built a case against Dharun Ravi. Defense lawyers called nine lawyers in two days.
The 20-year-old Ravi is charged with 15 criminal counts, including bias intimidation and invasion of privacy. Bias intimidation is a hate crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison in New Jersey.
His roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge in September 2010, just days after the intimate encounter. His death brought widespread attention to the difficulties that can be faced by young gays.
Ravi isn't charged in Clementi's death.
Jury deliberations could begin sometime Tuesday. Lawyers' summations are scheduled for 9 a.m.
Lawyers were expected to spend part of Monday afternoon haggling over details of the instructions that will be given to jurors.
Judge Glenn Berman said it's tricky because both invasion of privacy and bias intimidation laws are relatively new and there are some issues that need to be worked out.
