Judge wants to visit Statue of Liberty before sentencing climber Theresa "Patricia" Okoumou
A judge in Manhattan, who is overseeing the case against Theresa "Patricia" Okoumou — the woman who was convicted of scaling the Statue of Liberty last year, said on Thursday that he would only sentence her after getting a first-hand look at the perch himself, according to reports.
Federal Judge Gabriel Gorenstein, in a written order, said that he would like to visit the Statue of Liberty so that he can "better appreciate the risks or hazards created by defendant’s conduct," according to the New York Post.
According to the court documents, the judge added that if it is safe, he wants to stand on a ladder "so that the Court (and counsel if requested) can view while remaining on the ladder, the surface of the area where the defendant was situated."