PlusFrench Daredevil Defends Scaling NYC SkyscraperFrench Daredevil Defends Scaling NYC SkyscraperThe Associated PressA French daredevil who scaled a 52-story Manhattan skyscraper in the name of global warming should be honored by New York City, his lawyer said Wednesday. (June 11)This French daredevil should be honored-- not prosecuted-- for scaling the New York Times building. That's according to Alain Robert's (ah-LAN' roh-BEHR') attorney. Robert appeared in court Wednesday on misdemeanor charges stemming from last Thursday's stunt at the skyscraper. The 45-year-old said he climbed the 52-story building to bring attention to global warming. It's a message he continued to spread outside court when he had two feet firmly on the ground. [Notes:aptn] 12:12:45SOT: I climbed for global warming, this is my fight. Not only my fight, but it should be our fight b/c we're fighting for the next generation for a better worldALAIN ROBERT/DAREDEVIL [Notes:aptn]Robert faces a year in jail if he's convicted on reckless endangerment, trespassing, disorderly conduct and graffiti charges. But his attorney believes his client should be honored by New York City-- like a mountain climber who was honored in 19-77 after scaling the World Trade Center. [Notes:aptn] 12:18:10SOT: IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN DO FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, IW OULD BE VERY HAPPY TO DO IT [Notes:aptn]Robert said he's a professional climber who's climbed more than 80 buildings worldwide. And he maintains that every possible precaution was taken to ensure no one was hurt. [Notes:aptn] 12:12:36SOT: NEARLY ANYBODY COULD CLIMB THE BULIDNG, UNLESS THEY'RE AFRAID OF HEIGHTSALAIN ROBERT/DAREDEVIL [Notes:wabc]And that point was proven just hours after Robert was arrested. A second man, a New Yorker with a different agenda, climbed the Times building just hours after Robert. That man was also arrested. [Notes:aptn] Robert is expected to be back in court October 1st. Prosecutors will have until then to decide whether to present his case to a grand jury. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: skyscraper climber french daredevil defends scaling nyc Added: June 11, 2008
