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Jury Selection Begins In Rutgers Spycam Case

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The first phase of jury selection began Friday in the trial of former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi.

The 19-year-old is accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate's intimate encounter with another man.

Ravi's roommate, freshman Tyler Clementi, committed suicide in September 2010 days after the intimate encounter.

Ravi faces 15 charges, including bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and hindering prosecution. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ravi is not charged in connection with Clementi's death.

About 200 prospective jurors were brought to the Middlesex County Courthouse on Friday to fill out questionnaires. Some had been dismissed because of hardships.

On Tuesday, lawyers are expected to go through the surveys and then begin interviews the next day.

It is unclear when open statements will be held.

Jury selection got underway as published reports revealed Ravi may have felt guilt about what happened with Clementi.

Ravi reportedly sent text messages saying he had no issues with his roommate's homosexuality just minutes after Clementi wrote on Facebook that he planned to end his life.

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