As a result, Dharun Ravi, 19, might end up spending more time in prison than earlier believed.

The trial of Ravi, who earlier turned down a plea deal, is scheduled to begin February 21.

A former student of Rutgers University, Ravi is accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate’s intimate encounter with a man in September 2010. His roommate Tyler Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge a few days later.

Dharun Ravi is charged with bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and hindering prosecution.

In a 15-count indictment before a New Jersey court, the crime was earlier listed as a third-degree charge, but federal prosecutors on Wednesday told the court this was a mistake and that Ravi now faces a charge of second degree crime.

Meanwhile, Tyler’s older brother James said he wants people to know that “Tyler’s much more than the way that he died”, CNN reported on Thursday.