A couple who staged a daredevil engagement atop the Empire State Building's antenna, more than 1,000 feet in the air, was released from custody Wednesday after being hit with multiple felony charges for the unauthorized stunt.
Couple Faces Felony Charges for Scaling Landmark
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, appeared together in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday, nearly a day after Kuznetsov proposed on one knee over 1,000 feet above the streets of New York. During the court appearance, Nikolau was not wearing her engagement ring.
Defense attorney Jason Krinsky defended the couple's actions, calling it a message of love. He noted that since she did not say no, credit had to be given to Kuznetsov for the proposal.
How the Stunt Unfolded
According to law enforcement sources, the couple purchased tickets to the observation deck at 9 p.m. on Tuesday and likely hid inside the Midtown landmark overnight. Surveillance video captured them emerging from a hatch on the 102nd floor at approximately 5 a.m. the following morning. Sources stated that Kuznetsov used tools to loosen brackets securing metal cables that stretched across a stairwell, allowing the couple to access the antenna.
The pair was charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of burglary tools, trespass, and criminal tampering.
Defense Argues Charges Are Overblown
Krinsky argued that prosecutors overcharged the couple, asserting that there was no evidence of burglary tools. He further claimed that even the management of the Empire State Building confirmed the stunt posed no risk to tenants, guests on the observation deck, or anyone else inside the building.
The couple was released on their own recognizance, with their next court date pending. The incident has sparked widespread attention on social media, with many questioning the safety and legality of the stunt.
