Chair thrower tossed out of dental hygienist school: Lawyer

A 19-year-old woman who allegedly hurled a chair over a highrise balcony down to Maple Leaf Square has been expelled from her dental hygienist course.

Marcella Christianna Zoia, 19, never appeared for her case at Old City Hall but her lawyer Gregory Leslie said his client has suffered consequences since last month when Toronto Police charged her with mischief endangering life, mischief damage to property valued under $5,000 and being a common nuisance.

“She was expelled from her course and that’s very unfair,” Leslie told reporters Friday.

“Where’s the presumption of innocence for a young lady who made a mistake” when she pitched a chair over the 55 Bremner Blvd. balcony, said Leslie.

“She’s upset and very remorseful. She wants this matter to be over with. It will be resolved in a way that benefits her and society,” said Leslie. “It has been extremely embarrassing for her and she has lost a lot of friends.”

“If the Crown is expecting my client to go to jail, then we will absolutely go to trial. We don’t want to go to trial,” said Leslie.

He added that Zoia, who works as a bottle server at high-end bars, was under strong pressure from others to launch the chair.

A person of interest is being pursued by the police in the ongoing investigation, but that man is not forthcoming at this stage, said Leslie.

Video of the notorious chair toss went viral.

Police issued a call for public help identifying the woman shown throwing the chair, which missed the Gardiner Expressway and crashed to the street below.

Leslie said his client just turned 19 in November and her outwardly-happy exterior after the bail hearing doesn’t show the emotional turmoil and distress she has experienced since last month.

Zoia was released on a consent bail of $2,000 and was ordered to live with her mother.

Her case returns to court April 26.