Hundreds of cockroaches were set loose inside a city court house in Albany, the capital of New York, on Tuesday early morning. WNYT-TV reported that the occurrence took place while 4 people were being arraigned at the courthouse. Eventually, one offender started to tape the procedures, and a run-in took place when they disregarded commands to stop.
The four had actually been jailed at a demonstration in May about lease control problems, according to the Times Union.
Throughout the run-in, the cockroaches on lettuce were launched from plastic containers.
Court authorities stated that the court house was closed down on Tuesday in order to fumigate the afflicted location.
The director of public info with the Unified Court System said that an investigation was being performed into the incident and added fees might be applied to who was accountable.
“What transpired is not advocacy or activism, it is criminal behavior with the intent to disrupt a proceeding and cause damage,” said spokesman Lucian Chalfen. “Prosecution and restitution for the costs of the clean up as taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for these actions.”
Police charged 34-year-old activist Clyanna Lightbourn with damaging physical evidence, resisting arrest, criminal contempt, and disorderly conduct, however she was not determined as the individual who launched the cockroaches and it was uncertain who did it.
Albany District Attorney David Soares likewise released a statement about the occurrence.
“The office of the Albany Conty District Attorney is aware of this morning’s incident involving the reported released of several-dozen insects in the courthouse. Court proceedings were moved to a virtual format in the immediate aftermath, and an exterminator was brought in to clear the area,” said his statement in part.
“While the incident remains under investigation, the Office of the District Attorney would like to emphasize that while the right to protest is protected, we oppose the disruption of court proceedings, and the apparent display of disrespect shown to the court, All parties are innocent until proven guilty” he concluded.
District Attorney Soares statement on Cockroaches reportedly released in City Court: pic.twitter.com/zzxYVve0ax
— Albany County District Attorney's Office (@AlbanyCountyDA) June 7, 2022
The court was set up to resume proceedings on the following business day.
Here’s a local news video about the unsettling incident:
H/T The Blaze
