Judge Defends Giving Dharun Ravi 30 Days in Jail

The judge who gave Dharun Ravi 30 days in jail for his role in the death of Tyler Clementi says it would have been "unconscionable" to give a longer sentence.

Judge Glenn Berman said in a court hearing, according to The New York Times, that "I can't find it in me to remand him to state prison that houses people convicted of offenses such as murder, armed robbery and rape. I don't believe that that fits this case. I believe that he has to be punished, and he will be."

The 30-day sentence, plus a fine, community service and probation, were what Berman felt was the right punishment after a jury convicted Ravi on 15 charges. The Times says Berman pointed out that Ravi is only 20 years old and he claimed that lawmakers never intended harsher bias crime sentences to be used in privacy cases.

Ravi had been convicted of spying on Clementi and then of covering up his tracks when police began investigating.

Prosecutors have said they plan to appeal Ravi's sentence.