TZ Protester Arraigned: Says Stunt 'Felt Cathartic'

Michael Davitt—the 54-year-old Rockland County man who to protest county government last week—was arraigned in Greenburgh Justice Court Thursday afternoon.

Davitt is facing five misdemeanor charges: reckless endangerment, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest. He is also facing two vehicle and traffic law violations. A third—abandoning his motor vehicle on the Hudson crossing—has been withdrawn.

Davitt faces no felony charges, and was freed shortly after the Nov. 7 stunt on .

After Judge Doris Friedman read through Davitt's charges and rights, she asked if he could afford an attorney. "I'm impecunious at this point," he responded, adding he is unemployed.

Davitt is, however, collecting a pension of about $17,000 a year.

"I apologize for the problems I caused in the town," he continued. "I'm not adverse to pleading guilty to some of these charges [with certain conditions]."

Friedman cut off Davitt before he could name his conditions.

"I won't let you plead without the advice of an attorney," she said.

Davitt was consequently assigned legal aid—attorney Richard Vercollone, who had no comment on the matter.

Davitt arrived at the court a few minutes prior to his case in a three-piece suit and fedora, eager to discuss his protest and the repercussions.

"It's surreal to me," he said, reflecting on the three hours he spent dangling between the Tappan Zee Bridge and Hudson River. "It was cathartic—when I hit the water I was born again. Not in a religious sense, but in a sense that all my efforts thus far had not been for nothing—because I survived."

Davitt has been openly protesting Rockland government since 2008, when he lost his job as a substance abuse counselor with the county. He says some family members currently are not speaking to him because of his stunt.

Davitt also discussed his recent dealings with the county—on Wednesday night, he was ejected from the for being disruptive, authorities said. Davitt has a different take on the event.

"I felt like Cool Hand Luke; I went in there and I was top of the world," he said.

But when people trickled out before he had a chance to speak, Davitt said he was let down.

"I felt abandoned," he explained.

The sheriff's department escorted Davitt out Wednesday night before he had a chance to speak.

Davitt's case Thursday afternoon was adjourned, and will be reopened on Dec. 9.