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As fellow defense attorney Steve Altman, third left, listens, attorney Philip Nettl, left, speaks on behalf of Dharun Ravi, second left, as Middlesex County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia McClure, second right, and Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn, Mel Evans, Associated Press
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Judge Glenn Berman holds a folder of letters as he gives instructions during a sentencing hearing for Dharun Ravi in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate kiss another Mel†Evans, Associated Press
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Dharun Ravi, left, looks on as his mother, Sabitha Ravi cries as she reads a statement during a sentencing hearing for Ravi in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who used a webcam to watch his roommate kis Mel†Evans, Associated Press
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As defense attorney Philip Nettl, center, looks on Dharun Ravi, left,and his mother, Sabitha Ravi cry as she reads a statement during a sentencing hearing for Ravi in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers University student who Mel Evans, Associated Press
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As Middlesex County first assistant prosecutor Julia McClure, left, listens, Tyler Clementi's father Joseph Clementi makes a victim statement during a sentencing hearing for Dharun Ravi, in New Brunswick, N.J., Monday, May 21, 2012. Ravi, a former Rutgers Mel Evans, Associated Press

By Associated Press

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The 30-day jail sentence for a former Rutgers University student convicted of spying on his gay roommate has rekindled a debate over the application of hate crime laws.

Prosecutors say Tyler Clementi killed himself after he learned his roommate had used a webcam to view him kissing a man in their dorm room and told other students about it.

Dharun Ravi (dah-ROON' RAH'-vee) was charged with counts including bias intimidation — generally considered what is known as a hate crime. Prosecutors say he was motivated by discomfort with Clementi's sexual orientation.

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Ravi could have gotten 10 years in prison on the hate crime count. His supporters have said the potential penalties outweighed the deed.

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