[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Hi, everyone, I'm Dan Abrams, and this is "Court Cam."
- You should be ashamed of yourself.
- I want dude off my case. [spits]
- Got a runner.
[yelling]
- Get out!
- This is not TV court. This is for real.
♪ ♪
- First up, we're in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
for a sentencing hearing.
29-year-old Damien Lang has been convicted
of second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon,
and two felony firearms charges.
A year earlier, police say Lang,
who spent most of his adult life
behind bars with convictions for home invasion
and armed robbery, got into an argument outside a restaurant
with 21-year-old Bryce Salter.
The incident, which was caught on a security camera,
showed Lang shoving Bryce to the ground.
When Bryce got up, the defendant could be seen
firing three shots into his back.
[gunshots]
Lang then fled the scene.
Bryce was taken to a hospital but died the next morning.
Police were able to identify
Lang's vehicle leaving the scene
on another security camera,
and 10 days later, he was arrested.
Lang admitted shooting Bryce and afterwards
taking apart the gun and discarding it
somewhere between Kalamazoo and Lansing.
He also told police he acted in self-defense,
believing Bryce was trying to steal his car.
Lang pled not guilty, but after a week-long trial,
the jury found him guilty of all charges.
Today, before a packed gallery,
Lang appears before Judge Paul Bridenstine
to hear his sentence.
But first, while Lang sits quietly
with a smirk on his face,
members of Bryce's family
deliver victim impact statements,
beginning with Brandon Salter, Bryce's father.
- You see, my son was going to be magic.
He had respect.
You know, I taught him well.
What this is is disgusting behavior,
to shoot my son in the back.
He's 130 pounds, 21 years old,
having a good time with his friends.
My son was never on no tough-guy stuff.
My son wasn't never on no anything
other than good vibes.
Just by happenstance, my son ran into this disgusting pig.
- The defendant chose not to speak,
so the final word belongs to Judge Bridenstine.
- Mercilessly gunned down by you.
No opportunity to be the father he could be and should be.
It's clear to me that there are a number of broken hearts,
and they may never mend.
As far as count one, murder in the second degree,
as a fourth habitual offender,
it is the sentence of this court that
you serve a minimum 70 years to a maximum of 100 years.
[gallery cheering]
- Thank you.
- As Lang is removed from the courtroom,
Bryce's father has a few parting words
for his son's killer.
- I'm gon' try that [bleep].
[prolonged and repeated bleeps]
[shouting]
- In addition to the murder sentence,
the judge ordered another 30 consecutive years
for his other charges,
giving Lange a minimum of 100 years in prison.
He won't be eligible for parole until 2123.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
Next we go to a trial in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
♪ ♪
53-year-old Lori Ann Phillips has been charged with
second-degree reckless homicide.
Four and a half years earlier,
Phillips was wrapping up a night out with her husband,
48-year-old Mark Phillips.
According to police, the couple had been drinking
and, while sitting in their pickup outside their home,
got into a heated argument.
After Mark exited the truck, Phillips claims she drove away
and that when she arrived back home later that night,
she slept on a couch and didn't see Mark.
The next morning, she told police she went outside
and found Mark unresponsive in a snowbank and called 911.
- No! No! No!
- Mark died at the scene.
An autopsy determined the cause of death
was multiple blunt force injuries.
Phillips denied any involvement
in her husband's death,
but investigators weren't buying it,
believing she hit her husband with their truck
before fleeing the scene.
Phillips was eventually arrested and charged.
It's day five of the trial,
and Phillips is being cross-examined
by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Burdick.
Phillips is represented by attorney Chris Zachar.
- So you remember answering Mr. Zachar's questions.
♪ ♪
- Yes.
- Co-prosecutor Jessica Skemp believes Phillips is
being coached while on the stand by her attorney.
- We need to approach.
- The prosecutors share their concerns
with Judge Elliot Levine,
prompting a disapproving look from the defense.
♪ ♪
- Attorney Skemp accused Mr. Zachar of
nodding his head and gesturing towards the defendant.
Is that correct? - Yes.
- Mr. Zachar, were you doing that at all?
- No, I was not, Judge.
- What exactly did you think he did?
- Mr. Burdick would ask a question,
would look at Lori,
and, like, slightly shake his head yes,
slightly shake his head no.
- Ms. Phillips, did you see him shaking his head "yes" or "no"?
- No, I was paying attention to the person
that was talking to me.
- Did that influence any of your questions?
- Not at all.
- I've been watching Attorney Skemp staring at Mr. Zachar.
I think Mr. Zachar is very conscious of it,
and I'm very conscious of it.
I have to pay attention to the trial.
Act professional. Stop doing this.
♪ ♪
- I just would like the record to know that
because you did dismiss my concerns,
which were brought to me by people in the gallery,
through a message, and I started watching,
I sidebarred after I saw it happen.
- Judge Levine then addresses the gallery
and any inappropriate texting between them
and the prosecution.
- Do not text in this courtroom.
Put your phones away.
I do not-- if I hear there's more texting
or any other indication, I will take your phone.
I'm frustrated with this because
you're delaying the trial.
I don't believe anything inappropriate was done.
We're going to move on with the trial.
- The jury returned.
Three days later, they reached a verdict.
- State of Wisconsin versus Lori Phillips verdict.
We, the jury, find the defendant, Lori Phillips,
not guilty.
♪ ♪
- Phillips was found not guilty,
and the case is closed.
♪ ♪
- Next, we're in Detroit, Michigan,
for a pretrial conference.
♪ ♪
25-year-old Cierra Yearrell has been charged with assault.
♪ ♪
15 months earlier, Yearrell was arrested
and released on $5,000 bond.
She pled not guilty.
Today, she appears before Judge E. Lynise Bryant
to discuss next steps in the case.
Yearrell is represented by public defender
Joseph Pernicano, and right away,
things get off to a rocky start.
- Counsel, how do you wish to proceed?
- Yes, Judge.
At this time, would you entertain a motion to withdraw?
♪ ♪
- Um, I guess so.
- This is the second public defender
that's asked to withdraw from Yearrell's case,
and the judge's patience seems to be running thin.
- Ms. Yearrell, I need you to look at me.
Because you're looking up in the ceiling.
When it comes to picking lawyers,
when you hire your own lawyer,
then you get to decide what lawyer you want.
You get your lawyer of your choosing.
Again, you're looking up in the ceiling.
And I'm trying to be patient this morning.
And I think you just cursed at me,
because I'm good at reading-- - No, I did not.
You're just trying to start something.
I did not just curse at you.
- You said I'm trying to start something?
Girl, who you talking to?
- Look. you're being rude right now.
I'm not even being rude to you. - Who you talking to?
- You've been rude all morning.
I haven't even been rude to you.
- I have been at my level best.
- The judge places Yearrell on mute
in an attempt to move things forward.
- I don't have to keep giving you a lawyer.
You're confused in your thinking.
I will talk to the Michigan Indigent Defense Counsel office
and see if they're willing to appoint
one more lawyer for Ms. Yearrell.
- Despite being on mute,
Yearrell shows her frustration.
- And let me just let the record reflect,
she is slamming her hands together.
She is continuously talking while the court is talking.
She now has her hands on her head, you know, and--
and it's just inappropriate.
- When things calm down,
Judge Bryant gives the defendant one last chance.
- OK, so you can unmute yourself, Ms. Yearrell.
- I can talk now?
[tense music]
♪ ♪
- Ms. Yearrell, what do you want to say to the court?
- I just asked could speak, and you just looked around
and didn't say anything.
- Ms. Yearrell, what do you want to say to the court?
This is your last--
this is my last time asking you.
- OK, what I want to say to the court is,
how y'all just gonna go off of what some lawyer's saying?
You ain't ask me not one question.
You ain't ask me nothing. You ain't ask me nothing.
- First of all, lower your voice,
because you're yelling at me.
- Because you sitting here trying to make it
just off of what a lawyer say.
- First of all, you're yelling at me,
and I'm not going to allow that.
- The judge mutes Yearrell again.
But before she can wrap up the hearing,
she receives a chat message from the defendant.
- Let me just read what she sent to me directly
in the chat, which was inappropriate.
And her chat says, "Can you let me know
"if you're going to lock me up
so I can get my babysitter in order?"
Now, what's interesting to me is that
I've not said anything about locking anybody up.
So you can unmute, because what's going to happen is
if you keep cursing at me, you are going to get locked up.
Now-- - That's your goal, anyway.
That's your game plan, anyway.
- You don't know what my game plan is.
You don't know anything about me.
So we're going to come in person January 31st.
Mr. Pernicano, you are discharged from the case.
Everyone have a great day. Stay safe.
♪ ♪
- Two weeks later, Yearrell physically appeared in court
and pled guilty.
Her sentence is pending.
The max she could receive is 93 days in jail
and a $500 fine.
- Next, we're in Troy, Michigan,
for a sentencing hearing.
♪ ♪
31-year-old Andrew Hall has pled guilty
to second-degree murder,
attempted carjacking, unlawful imprisonment,
assault with intent to do great bodily harm,
and several other charges.
♪ ♪
Five months earlier, according to police reports,
37-year-old Amanda Pasionek was at her car,
about to leave a big-box store,
when Hall, who already had
multiple convictions for domestic violence,
ordered her at gunpoint to get into the back seat.
When Amanda fought back,
police say Hall began strangling her.
After a witness nearby heard the struggle
and approached the car, Hall fled the scene,
but not before a security camera captured
an image of him nearby.
The victim suffered a broken bone in her face
and eventually made a full recovery.
Four days later, police say Hall arranged a meeting
with 38-year-old Lisa Moffett,
a sex worker and mother of four.
Hall attacked Lisa in a stairwell,
beating her to death.
Again, a security camera caught footage of Hall
after leaving the scene.
Later that day, a police officer
spotted Hall walking near a bus stop
and recognized him from the security footage.
She called for backup,
and Hall was arrested without incident.
He was charged with killing Lisa
and for the parking lot attack.
He pled guilty to both.
Today, Hall appears before Judge Cheryl Matthews
to hear his sentence.
But first, Amanda Pasionek,
the woman Hall assaulted in the parking lot,
faces down her attacker
for the first time since the incident
and describes what happened to the court.
- On that day, he ripped open my door
as I was trying to shut it,
told me to be quiet, placed a gun to my head,
and demanded that I get in my back seat.
This was not an option, so I immediately grabbed
the gun from my head and fought.
During our struggle for control of the gun,
he asked me if I was crazy and then savagely punched me,
shattering the right side of my head.
He forced himself on top of me and began strangling me
in order to silence my screams,
squeezing and pushing his entire weight onto my neck
so I couldn't breathe.
[sobs] And I was so sad that
I wasn't going to see my baby boy turn one,
but that, thankfully, at least I got to be his mom
for 10 months.
[voice breaking] As I was dying,
I stared into his eyes
because I wanted to make sure
that he would never forget my face,
and I hope it haunts him.
Please hold him accountable for his unspeakable acts,
ensuring that he is never allowed to inflict pain
and suffering on another soul ever again.
This wasn't just a robbery or a carjacking.
Please see this man for exactly who he is
and who he chose to be: a murderer.
[applause]
- When she's finished, Hall offers a very brief statement.
- And when he's done,
Judge Matthews has the final word.
- For the murder of Lisa Moffett,
Hall was sentenced to 40 to 60 years in a state prison.
And for his attack on Amanda,
the judge sentenced Hall to another 27 to 40 years.
If he serves the minimum,
Hall will be released in 67 years,
when he'd be 98 years old.
- Next, we're in Eureka, Kansas, for an arraignment.
♪ ♪
29-year-old Matthew "MattMan" Reed has been charged
with driving without registration and insurance.
Today, he appears from work before Judge Phyllis Webster
to discuss next steps in the case.
Representing the county is attorney Jill Gillett.
- All right, State of Kansas versus Matthew D. Reed.
"MattMan" Reed appears in person and pro se.
Count one, that is a misdemeanor.
Now, the maximum fine on that would be $2,500.
Then there is a possible sentence
of 30 days to six months.
The next charge, you're looking at a B non-person misdemeanor.
That means your sentence could be up to six months
in the county jail,
and the law in Kansas does require at least a $300 fine,
up to $1,000.
You also can look into the diversion if you think that
that might be something you're interested in.
- Well, I have a perfect driving record.
The smartest thing would be to get it off my record.
What would be the time frame on that?
Because I've lived in Wichita my whole life,
and I moved here for a girl.
- You moved to Eureka for a girl?
- Yeah. Yeah.
And I work at the greenhouse, but it's seasonal work.
So I'm off work early.
I've only lived here about 2 and 1/2 months.
I didn't make enough money to be able to get
my tags and insurance. - OK.
- And so I'm having a hard time finding work.
So, yeah, I think filing for diversion
would probably be the best bet.
- And Ms. Gillett, if you want to go with the diversion,
her number is 6-2-0...
got a pencil?
G Mm.
No, I got a Dremel instead but go ahead.
- A Dremel?
- I do.
[Dremel grinding]
All right, 6-2-0. - 6-2-0...
8-3... [Dremel grinding]
[bleep], [bleep], 7-1.
- What is it?
- [bleep], 7-1. [bleep] 71.
[Dremel grinding]
- OK.
- Just call that number and tell them
you'd like to find out about diversion.
[Dremel grinding]
- I find it interesting you're using a Dremel.
Because I've suggested lipstick
and people have laughed at me for it.
- OK, now what about another court date?
- January 5th at 11:00.
[Dremel grinding] - You said January 5th?
At what time?
- [laughing] You're cracking me up, sir.
Nobody has ever done that before.
- At 11:00. - 11:00 a.m.
- [chuckles]
- At 11:00 a.m.? - Yes, sir.
[Dremel grinding] - OK.
- The judge moves on to MattMan's bond.
- I'm going to set your bond at 1,000 OR.
You won't have to pay the money on that
unless you fail to come to court.
OK. Any questions, sir?
- None.
Now I'm stuck in this little town
with no pen and just a Dremel.
- [chuckles] Yeah.
- Well, OK.
I'm going to let you get back to your job, Mr. Reed.
- All right. Good day, ladies.
- Thank you.
- MattMan applied for the diversion program,
and if he completes it without incident,
his charges will be dropped.
♪ ♪
That's it for this edition of "Court Cam."
I'm Dan Abrams. Thanks for watching.
♪ ♪