The middle finger has long been seen as an international sign of disapproval and disobedience. But in courtroom settings it can also serve as a weapon of choice.
Florida Bar association is investigating an attorney representing Parkland massacre killer Nikolas Cruz over an online video in which she appears to give cameras the middle finger.
Reynal
The middle finger has long been used as a sign of disobedience and disrespect since Roman times, becoming an integral part of contemporary political art such as that created by Ai Weiwei.
Reynal is a veteran federal prosecutor with extensive experience prosecuting white-collar crime and public corruption cases, major drug trafficking investigations, as well as serving on Organized Crime Strike Force and United States Magistrate Judge panels.
Reynal has traveled extensively through Central and South America, where she was inspired by indigenous art. While traveling she also created totem sculptures using mosaic tesserae and shell for exhibition at Betty Parsons Gallery and Newport Art Association in Rhode Island. Reynal now lives with her husband and son in Iowa while also writing a book on interior design as well as hosting her own popular television series.
Bankston
Recently, the middle finger has been associated with sexual imagery; however, its use has become more mainstream over time and many celebrities have given the gesture – including Britney Spears giving a group of photographers in Mexico her signature middle-finger gesture.
Reynal in the video repeatedly called Bankston out as being dishonest before flipping him off and warning Reynal about attorney ethics rules related to courtroom decorum. Judge Bickford suggested Reynal review these regulations.
Reynal has an extensive background in litigation and has experience prosecuting criminal cases as well as defending insurance claims. He is well versed in evidence rules and courtroom procedure. Reynal’s clients include both individuals and corporations. Reynal has represented clients in high-profile cases across several states as well as represented plaintiffs in civil rights suits. Reynal served seven deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan from platoon through battalion level with Air Assault, Stryker, and light infantry formations before joining Reynal’s firm.
Curtis
Curtis was caught giving the middle finger to a camera during a Parkland massacre trial and is being investigated by the Florida Bar Association, who claims she violated their professional conduct rules – though why they’re investigating her is unknown.
Curtis noticed a cameraman pointed towards her prior to the trial’s first day, so she waddled towards Cruz’s defense table, rubbed her face, and raised her middle finger, an act many interpreted as an insult.
Manuel Oliver, father of victim Joaquin, voiced strong criticism over this gesture during victim impact statements this week in court. Oliver claimed it reeked of assembly line behavior that showed indifference towards victims.
Cruz
Cruz stands 6 feet tall and weighs 240 pounds, sporting an imposing beard and sporting an eye piercing tattoo that reads, “B.A.”. A graduate from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Cruz joined the FBI as a section chief in BAU in 1998 – socializing regularly with JJ while keeping their friendship hidden from other members of their team.
Last night, Cruz watched his Houston Astros team battle it out against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and fans gave Cruz middle fingers and thumbs-down gestures, sparking pictures and videos that quickly went viral on social media. Houston eventually won 6-5.
