Corliss was arrested on the 102-story landmark's 86th-floor observation deck April 27, 2006, after he climbed over a guardrail and "suicide fence" while wearing a parachute and a helmet that had a video camera attached.
Corliss, then host of the Discovery Channel's "Stunt Junkies" program, was fired after the attempt. The 32-year-old Malibu, Calif., man is charged with misdemeanor reckless endangerment and faces a year in jail if convicted.
Manhattan prosecutor Mark Crooks said Corliss acted with "selfishness, arrogance and recklessness," choosing the "busiest hour" at the "busiest location" in the city to attempt the parachute jump.
More than 20 bus lines - as well as countless tourist buses, cabs and pedestrians
- were using the streets below during the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. rush hour, Crooks said.
Defense lawyer Mark Heller said Corliss, who claims to be a professional BASE (building, antenna, span, earth) jumper, did not act recklessly because he studied wind currents and street traffic patterns before attempting to jump.
Heller also said there was no specific law at the time against what Corliss did. Earlier this year, the City Council passed a law that outlaws stunts of the type Corliss attempted.
