Ravi trial: Indian student says helped in setting up webcam

An Indian student testifying in the trial of his former classmate Dharun Ravi, who allegedly spied on his roommate's homosexual tryst, has said he had helped the accused set up the webcam to get a better view of the bed.

Lokesh Ojha of Rutgers University took the stand in the trial of 20-year-old Ravi at a New Jersey court.

Ravi has been accused of spying on his roommate Tyler Clementi, who days later committed suicide.

Ojha described how he had helped Ravi adjust his webcam so he could get a clear view of Clementi's bed.

When questioned by Ravi's lawyer Steven Altman, Ojha also acknowledged he had lied under oath during initial questioning with investigators.

"I thought my college career was over," he said. "Because I helped him."

"I helped him set it up," Ojha said.

Ravi is charged with 15 counts, including invasion of privacy and bias intimidation, and faces up to 10 years in prison.

In his testimony, Ojha said Ravi had used his computer to check the video stream from the dorm room he shared with Clementi.

"He told me to check the angle on his webcam," Ojha said, adding that he got a view of Clementi's bed through the webcam.

Another person to testify in court yesterday was Raahi Grover, who said Clementi had sent him an email after finding out that Ravi had watched him kiss another man.

In the email, Clementi said, "I feel my privacy has been violated, and I am extremely uncomfortable sharing a room with someone who would act in this wildly inappropriate manner."