Staten Island Statue of Liberty climber seeks jury trial; prosecutors oppose

silive ^ | 9/26/18 | Mira Wassef

[Libloather]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The Staten Island lady who scaled Lady Liberty wants a group of her peers to decide her fate -- not a judge -- when her case heads for trial this fall.

Therese Patricia Okoumou, 44, is asking for a jury trial, even though she does not have a legal right to one considering the "petty offenses" she is facing, according to court papers filed in Manhattan federal court.

The St. George resident faces charges of trespassing, interfering with agency functions and disorderly conduct after climbing to the base of the landmark and refusing to get down, officials said.

She pleaded not guilty. The trial is set for Nov. 5.

[Libloather]

"The legality or illegality of actions taken in conscience -- taken because of a higher moral calling -- can and should be judged by a jury of one's peers," said defense lawyers Ronald L. Kuby and Rhidaya Trivedi, in a court filing. They also concede that their client has no right to the jury trial, but the judge has the discretion to grant one.

Make her pay for everyone who had their vacation ruined that day.

[Dilbert San Diego]

She said she was inspired by Michelle Obama saying when they go low, we go high. So she wanted to go as high as she could.

Since she’s a minority, an immigrant, and a female, no significant punishment will be given to her. I hate to be so cynical, but, I don’t expect her to pay any price or get convicted of any significant charges here.

[BenLurkin]

Isn’t it up to the defendant?

[Professional]

Someone post the vid of her and her press conference. This chick is innocent by reason of batshitcrazy...

[shelterguy]

She said she was inspired by Michelle Obama saying when they go low, we go high. So she wanted to go as high as she could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wanna get high?? Sniff glue. Stay off national monuments.

[Gay State Conservative]

IIRC this is a Federal trial and I would think that Federal law is very clear on such a matter....not that Rat Party operatives are subject to laws,Federal or State.

[Gay State Conservative]

There's a special place in hell waiting for Ron Kuby.He can join his mentor,William Kunstler,when he arrives.

[lee martell]

No Jury Trial!!
She can’t dazzle them with her brilliance,
so she wants to put on a show
and baffle them with her BS!

If the prosecutor agrees to jury trial, that means he doesn’t really want to win this case, and is sympathetic to the plantiff. This sort of thing happens a lot out here in the San Fran area. The Kate Steinle murderer was allowed to be tried without conviction. It’s like throwing a ball game.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

She's not even an American. She is a foreigner.
 

[deadrock]

So, the kid gloves treatment.

[Reno89519]

Why not deport her and save few dollars? Else prison, then deport.

[j.havenfarm]

It depends on the charges. No constitutional right to a jury unless you’re looking at 180 days or more max penalty

[BenLurkin]

Ah. Makes sense.

[leaning conservative]

She should have to pay transportation, food, lodging,to ksts & time for all the people who went & had to e acuate. And then be deported.

[stars & stripes forever]

[Why not deport her and save few dollars?]

Plus a souvenir of remembrance of her escapade...

[leaning conservative]

Tickets

[leaning conservative]

Evacuate...geez!

[SendShaqtoIraq]

i thought you always had a right to a jury trial

[VanShuyten]

Pump up the charges to felonies, find her guilty in a jury trial, throw her in prison, revoke her green card, and boot her when she gets out of prison.

[bgill]

Just yank her citizenship and deport her.