New York (AP) — A Virginia man who scaled the all-glass face of Trump Tower last week using suction cups planned his climb, ordering equipment on Amazon, practicing ahead of time and waiting until his parents were away before traveling to New York City, according to prosecutors.
Stephen Rogata, 19, dressed in blue hospital garb, answered a judge’s questions but made no other comments during his court appearance Wednesday via video linkup from a Manhattan psychiatric hospital.
“This was a well-thought-out, planned stunt,” said Pierre Griffith, an assistant district attorney, noting Rogata waited until his parents went on vacation before driving from Great Falls, Virginia, to New York ahead of the Aug. 10 climb.
Rogata’s hourslong climb of Donald Trump’s 58-story namesake Manhattan skyscraper was streamed live by various news organizations and bystanders who watched gleefully as he slowly ascended floor after floor using a harness and climbing ropes. – READ MORE
