Fight over terra-cotta warrior's stolen thumb focuses on The Franklin Institute

[CatWoman]

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A photo taken prior to an exhibit at The Franklin Institute shows the thumb that was later taken from a statue at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. (Photo: Photo provided)


PHILADELPHIA – A court fight is underway in the case of a party-goer who allegedly took a thumb from a centuries-old statue at an exhibit of terra-cotta warriors.

But this battle isn’t over Michael Rohana, a Delaware man awaiting trial on federal charges in connection with the digit’s disappearance during a boozy party in a museum.

It focuses instead on the scene of the crime, Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute.

Rohana’s attorneys want the museum to provide extensive records about its security arrangements, particularly those in place when some 700 people attended an Ugly Sweater Party on the night of Dec. 21, 2017.

A federal prosecutor is opposing that request, arguing the records could encourage jurors to blame The Franklin Institute for the thumb-napping.

In a flurry of recent filings, two public defenders also argue the charges against Rohana are excessive.

They challenge the government’s estimate of the thumb’s value, a key factor in two of the three felony charges.

And they question whether the thumb was “under the care, custody and control” of a museum – another key element – when it was taken from the Cavalryman, a statue unearthed at the tomb of China’s first emperor.

https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/crime/2019/03/14/franklin-institute-rohana-cavalryman-terracotta-warriors-thumb/3159498002/

[Sneederbunk]

1. Prosecutors are hopeful the judge will give Rohana the finger.

[CatWoman]

2. LOL

good one!!

[RobinA]

3. Why?

Why, in the name of all that’s holy, would you have an ugly sweater party at the Franklin Institute?

[CatWoman]

4. drunk, privileged frat boys roll that way

I suppose