Woman charged in chair throwing
toronto • A 19-year-old woman who allegedly tossed a chair off the balcony of a downtown toronto highrise along a busy highway turned herself in to police to face multiple charges on Wednesday.
Police had launched a public appeal for help identifying the woman after video of the incident sparked outrage earlier this week.
Const. david hopkinson said police had received a slew of tips about the case.
“It’s a very callous thing,” he said of the alleged incident. “you could kill somebody. I don’t believe anyone looks at that and doesn’t say that’s ridiculous.”
marcella Zoia of toronto is charged with one count each of mischief endangering life, mischief endangering property under $5,000 and common nuisance.
her lawyer said she was embarrassed and understands the public anger generated by the alleged incident.
“she wishes it never happened,” Greg leslie told reporters after his client was released on $2,000 bail and ordered to live with her mother. she must also not have any contact with the four individuals that were with her at the time.
“of course, she would never wish anybody would be hurt,” the lawyer said.
leslie added he’ll have discussions with the prosecution and said it might not go to trial but said he will see how it develops.
Jenna Periti, who has known Zoia from the time they attended st. Elizabeth Catholic high school in thornhill, ont., called her a smart girl and said the video “does not do her justice.” she said Zoia came to Canada from brazil just before ninth grade and lived with her mother. she said she was with people who didn’t graduate from high school and who like to drink. “she’s a bright girl, but sometimes she likes to hang out with people who like to get involved in the wrong things,” Periti said.
Police said the incident took place on saturday when the woman allegedly threw a chair and other items from a condo balcony on the 45th floor of a tower overlooking a the Gardiner Expressway.
Investigators said the chair landed in front of the building, and there were no reports of injuries.
hopkinson said the apartment from which the furniture was allegedly tossed was being used as a “shortterm rental property” but could not say through which company it was rented.
airbnb said Wednesday that it has contacted toronto police and offered its support in the investigation. the company said it has no evidence that the woman was an airbnb user but it has suspended the account of a guest with a reservation at that building.
toronto mayor John tory condemned the alleged actions, saying they can’t be tolerated. “It was grossly irresponsible behaviour that could have caused serious injury and death.”