Dharun Ravi will accept his jail sentence despite previous reports that he and his legal team would seek an appeal in last Monday’s court ruling. The former Rutgers student was sentenced to a 30-day jail term including 3 years’ probation after being found guilty of contributing to his gay roommate’s suicide.
Ravi, 20, issued the following statement:
“Last Monday, I was sentenced to 3 years probation, 300 hours of community service, a fine of more than $10,000.00, and 30 days in jail. Since the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office appealed that sentence, the sentence does not have to start until the appeal is decided. Nevertheless, I decided to accept and hopefully complete the sentence as soon as possible. It’s the only way I can go on with my life.
I accept responsibility for and regret my thoughtless, insensitive, immature, stupid and childish choices that I made on September 19, 2010 and September 21, 2010. My behavior and actions, which at no time were motivated by hate, bigotry, prejudice or desire to hurt, humiliate or embarrass anyone, were nonetheless the wrong choices and decisions. I apologize to everyone affected by those choices. I am surrendering myself to the Middlesex County Correctional Facility on Thursday, May 31, 2012, to start my 30-day period of imprisonment.”
The legal team for Ravi have indicated they will pursue an appeal even though he will serve the jail sentence, according to NBC News.
