Canadian Instagram influencer dubbed 'Chair Girl' escapes prison after throwing chair from high-rise balcony
An Instagram 'influencer' in Canada has escaped a prison term after throwing a chair from a 45th floor balcony.
Marcella Zoia, 20, threw a chair from a rented high-rise at 10am on a Saturday morning, with the footage filmed in February 2019 quickly going viral on social media.
The chair landed on the Gardiner Expressway – one of the city's busiest highways.
Zoia handed herself into police after the footage was shared on social media. She was arrested and charged with Mischief Endangering Life, to which she pleaded guilty in November 2019.
Marcella Zoia was shown throwing the chair from a high-rise and onto a busy highway. Instagram @marcellacz_
Despite prosecutors seeking a six-month prison term Zoia was let off with a $1,700 fine and 150 hours of community service as well as two years of probation.
The sentence was handed down this week via teleconference after being delayed due to COVID.
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The viral video saw Zoia's followers jump from 4,000 to 61,200 after she was labelled 'Chair Girl'.
Footage of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Supplied
Zoia's lawyer, Gregory Lesie, told CTV News he is "pleased" with the sentence and that Zoia is "ecstatic" that the matter is finally over.
He said his client had been fearful of prison and "maybe had a tear or two in her eyes" when she learned she wouldn't have to go.
Mr Lesie explained that Zoia had been drinking alcohol on the night of the offence and was influenced by peer pressure when she threw the chair from the rented high-rise balcony.
She issued an apology for her actions on her own social media account, writing: "I apologise to everyone offended by my actions. I truly regret it and I will take responsibility."
9Honey has contacted Zoia for comment.
