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Lawyer For Trump Tower Climber Asks Judge To Consider Possible Mental Illness
By
Emma Whitford
Published Aug 17, 2016
Modified Aug 17, 2016
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By
Emma Whitford
Published Aug 17, 2016
Modified Aug 17, 2016
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Stephen Rogata, the 19-year-old from Virginia who attempted to gain an audience with Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump by climbing the exterior of Trump Tower with giant suction cups, was arraigned in Manhattan court on Wednesday, a week after his arrest. The teenager reportedly appeared in court via video chat from Bellevue Hospital, where he's been held under observation for the last week.
The Manhattan DA's office confirmed that Rogata has been charged with reckless endangerment, BASE jumping, criminal trespass and trespass. His bail has been set at $10,000 bond and $5,000 cash. The initial arrest charges were reckless endangerment and criminal trespass.
DNAInfo reports that Legal Aid Society attorney Tara Collins asked the judge on Wednesday to take her client's mental state into consideration, arguing that prison would be detrimental to his health.
"At best what he did was profoundly stupid and lacking in good judgment," she said, adding, "As the court knows, 19-to-20 is the age when some mental illness begins to develop. Jail would be awful for my client."
Police say they received a 911 call of a person climbing Trump Tower in Midtown at 3:30 p.m. last Wednesday. According to the criminal complaint, a Trump Tower custodian saw Rogata begin his climb. Midtown North Sergeant Christopher Hewitson also testified that he saw Rogata "drop a laptop from his person, and that the laptop landed on the fifth floor atrium where people were standing." Rogata managed to reach the 21st floor before officers pulled him in.
While Rogata was still mid-climb, a video surfaced that appeared to show him professing his support for Trump and explaining why he decided to climb.
"I am an independent researcher seeking a private audience with you to discuss an important matter," the young man in the video says. "I guarantee that it's in your interest to honor this request. Believe me, if my purpose was not significant, I would not risk my life pursuing it."
Rogata's next court appearance is set for October 13th.
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donald trump
stephen rogata
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Trump Tower
Emma Whitford
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