The daredevil couple accused of scaling the Empire State Building returned to court Tuesday, where they delivered a message of “peace” as their lawyers disclosed that plea negotiations had taken place.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, appeared in a downtown Manhattan courtroom facing multiple charges linked to their July 1 climb of the iconic New York City skyscraper.
The pair, who have attracted a large online following for their appearance as well as their high-risk stunts, held hands while standing before the judge.
The Russian couple is known for carrying out dangerous climbs on high-rise buildings. They face charges including reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, burglary, criminal tampering, violation of a local law and possession of burglar’s tools.
District Attorney Alfonzo Gentry told the court that prosecutors had met with the couple’s defense team on August 6 and September 24 to discuss a possible plea agreement.
It is not yet known whether Nikolau and Beerkus will ultimately accept a plea deal.
Outside the courthouse, the pair removed their jackets to reveal white shirts printed with images of bulletproof vests and the word “PEACE” displayed across the front and back.
They spoke about love and peace while urging members of the public not to attempt a similar stunt.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32, returned to a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday morning as they face multiple charges over their July 1 climb of the iconic New York City building
The Russian couple, known for their dangerous high-rise climbs, face multiple charges over the summer stunt, which took them about 1,400 feet above the ground
After leaving court, both removed their jackets to reveal white shirts featuring bulletproof vest designs and the word “Peace” printed across the front and back
“We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us,” Beerkus told reporters.
“We want to say, please don’t try to repeat what we did because we are professionals, great professionals with 15 years of experience, and we want to say it’s very dangerous.”
Nikolau first apologized for her English before saying the couple’s “performance” was intended to represent the “power of love” and “peace.”
“And we choose love,” Beerkus added, before the couple walked hand-in-hand to their car.
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Their legal team said the couple would not be taking questions and confirmed that the case remains ongoing. Nikolau and Beerkus are due back in court on October 27.
During their summer climb, the couple reached the Empire State Building’s spire, approximately 1,400 feet above the ground, and unfurled a banner carrying a message of love: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
The wording appears to be a variation of a quote associated with British politician William Gladstone, although it is frequently and incorrectly attributed to rock star Jimi Hendrix.
At their previous court appearance, Nikolau displayed a large engagement ring as she and Beerkus shared a passionate kiss outside the courthouse.
Nikolau apologized for her English before describing the couple’s “performance” as a message about the “power of love” and “peace,” while Beerkus added that they “choose love”
After climbing the iconic skyscraper some 1,400 feet above ground to its spire over the summer, they had deployed a banner, also with a message of love, that read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace’
While masked during the dangerous stunt, Nikolau posted a video to her social media showing off her engagement ring with a stunning view of Manhattan far above the ground in the background
The couple wrote online last month: ‘Whatever happens in court, we will respect the process and accept the consequences of our choices.’
While masked during the dangerous stunt, Nikolau posted a video to her social media showing off her engagement ring with a stunning view of Manhattan far above the ground in the background.
After the pair descended they were taken into custody by the New York City Police Department at around 1pm.
Tourists and onlookers gazed up in astonishment at what was unfolding above them as the Empire State Building’s observation deck was quickly cleared.
Julie Morris, who saw the scene unfold, told CBS News: ‘We were right at the top. I could see two people open the gates – the mesh gates – and they went up to the top.
‘I just assumed they were allowed up there.’
On the street below the iconic building, police had taped off the area and closed the street.
The stunt couple had previously starred in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, and are seen frequently posed atop terrifyingly tall buildings on their social media.
