DC Jury Clears Man in Laser-Targeting of Marine One Amid Trump-Era Tension

A Washington, DC jury acquitted Jacob Winkler of a felony charge for aiming a laser at Marine One as a Trump-era helicopter flight, delivering the verdict in about 35 minutes and marking a setback for US Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office, which had pursued harsh penalties for perceived threats to the president. Defenders argued the case wasted resources policing poverty, noting Winkler was homeless with a cat toy keychain at the time of his arrest.