Man accused of aiming laser at Trump helicopter acquitted in 35 minutes
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Jacob Winkler was acquitted by a jury in Washington DC after being charged with aiming a laser at Marine One while it transported Donald Trump, with the verdict reached in about 35 minutes.
- The case marked another high-profile defeat for US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, whose office has aggressively prosecuted individuals accused of threatening federal officers or the president but faced multiple failures.
- Winkler, described by his defenders as homeless and possessing only a cat toy keychain, was arrested based on a Secret Service agent's claim of seeing him point a red laser at the presidential helicopter.
- Critics argue the prosecution wasted federal resources on Winkler’s case instead of focusing on more serious threats, highlighting concerns about criminalizing poverty in the nation’s capital
