1 00:00:02,002 --> 00:00:04,872 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:11,044 ♪ ♪ 3 00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:12,112 - Let me swear you in. 4 00:00:12,246 --> 00:00:13,480 - I'm granting the motion. 5 00:00:13,580 --> 00:00:14,848 - I want to be on the record. 6 00:00:14,948 --> 00:00:17,618 - They're expected to be models of understanding. 7 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:21,722 - Come here on vacation, leave here on probation. 8 00:00:21,822 --> 00:00:24,858 - But every so often, even judges reach their limit-- 9 00:00:24,992 --> 00:00:25,859 - Excuse me? 10 00:00:25,993 --> 00:00:27,027 - --and lose their cool. 11 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:28,762 - Stop. Stop. 12 00:00:28,862 --> 00:00:29,963 Stop. 13 00:00:30,063 --> 00:00:31,498 - From pure outrage-- 14 00:00:31,632 --> 00:00:33,567 - Stop talking, because I really 15 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:36,703 don't see any way to protect the community from you. 16 00:00:36,837 --> 00:00:38,405 - --to snide remarks-- 17 00:00:38,472 --> 00:00:41,275 - You're anything but a Boy Scout in this matter. 18 00:00:41,375 --> 00:00:43,911 - --and downright cruel behavior. 19 00:00:44,044 --> 00:00:45,445 - I need to get to the hospital. 20 00:00:45,512 --> 00:00:46,446 - Mr. Carter-- 21 00:00:46,513 --> 00:00:47,781 - And I'm asking to be excused. 22 00:00:47,915 --> 00:00:49,516 - I am not going to do that at this time. 23 00:00:49,583 --> 00:00:53,887 - This is "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges." 24 00:00:53,987 --> 00:00:56,323 - --and you'd die in the Department of Correction. 25 00:00:56,423 --> 00:01:00,627 [clock ticking] 26 00:01:00,694 --> 00:01:02,829 - Welcome to this special edition of "Court Cam." 27 00:01:02,930 --> 00:01:04,398 I'm Dan Abrams. 28 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:05,666 Judges are human. 29 00:01:05,799 --> 00:01:08,635 And sometimes during tense court hearings 30 00:01:08,702 --> 00:01:10,771 they can get pretty angry. 31 00:01:10,871 --> 00:01:13,874 So let's get right into our list of irate judges 32 00:01:13,974 --> 00:01:18,312 with number 5 and a judge who's in no mood to hear excuses 33 00:01:18,445 --> 00:01:20,480 from a young robbery suspect. 34 00:01:23,283 --> 00:01:25,319 First we're in the 67th district court 35 00:01:25,385 --> 00:01:29,122 in Flint, Michigan, for a virtual arraignment hearing. 36 00:01:29,222 --> 00:01:31,592 27-year-old Kylan Dorner has been 37 00:01:31,658 --> 00:01:34,428 charged with unarmed robbery, a felony. 38 00:01:34,494 --> 00:01:36,263 Four days earlier, Dorner, 39 00:01:36,396 --> 00:01:38,799 a student from Illinois studying aviation, 40 00:01:38,865 --> 00:01:41,234 was visiting Flint on vacation. 41 00:01:41,335 --> 00:01:43,904 During a dispute over payment with the front desk 42 00:01:44,037 --> 00:01:46,473 clerk at his hotel, Dorner allegedly 43 00:01:46,606 --> 00:01:49,242 pushed the clerk aside and took $600 44 00:01:49,309 --> 00:01:51,011 in cash out of the register. 45 00:01:51,111 --> 00:01:53,447 Surveillance cameras captured the incident, 46 00:01:53,513 --> 00:01:55,148 and Dorner was arrested. 47 00:01:55,282 --> 00:02:00,988 If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. 48 00:02:01,088 --> 00:02:04,424 Today Dorner's before Judge Herman Marable to determine 49 00:02:04,558 --> 00:02:06,460 if he can be released on bond. 50 00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:08,895 Dorner is represented by a public defender, 51 00:02:09,029 --> 00:02:13,233 but he's planning on hiring a private attorney. 52 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:15,035 - You said he's retaining a lawyer. 53 00:02:15,102 --> 00:02:17,204 Is that right? 54 00:02:17,270 --> 00:02:19,439 You know who you're hiring at this point? 55 00:02:19,506 --> 00:02:22,042 - As soon as I get out of here, that's my first-- 56 00:02:22,109 --> 00:02:24,077 my first call I'm making. 57 00:02:24,144 --> 00:02:27,848 I have no other plans but to comply, comply, comply. 58 00:02:27,948 --> 00:02:29,783 - Judge Marable tells Dorner what 59 00:02:29,916 --> 00:02:33,120 bond conditions he'll have to comply, comply, 60 00:02:33,186 --> 00:02:35,789 comply with if released. 61 00:02:35,889 --> 00:02:41,194 - You'd be on a GPS tether if you got out. 62 00:02:41,261 --> 00:02:42,963 - I live in Illinois. 63 00:02:43,063 --> 00:02:45,465 - Well, you can't tether to Illinois. 64 00:02:45,599 --> 00:02:48,435 Do you have anywhere that you'd be living in Genesee County? 65 00:02:48,502 --> 00:02:49,436 - No, I don't. 66 00:02:49,503 --> 00:02:51,171 I went here on vacation. 67 00:02:51,271 --> 00:02:55,342 I have no need or ideas of doing anything funny, though. 68 00:02:55,475 --> 00:02:57,911 Whenever you need me here, whenever you need me for Zoom, 69 00:02:58,045 --> 00:03:00,680 anything, I will be here. 70 00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:02,582 But I live in Illinois. 71 00:03:02,716 --> 00:03:05,719 - When the judge reviews the probable cause affidavit, 72 00:03:05,786 --> 00:03:08,655 Dorner starts to speak out of turn. 73 00:03:08,789 --> 00:03:11,591 - You went behind the counter, 74 00:03:11,658 --> 00:03:14,428 pushed the victim out of the way, 75 00:03:14,528 --> 00:03:17,097 and took $600 from the cash register. 76 00:03:17,230 --> 00:03:19,099 Okay, and this is-- - I didn't-- 77 00:03:19,232 --> 00:03:20,867 - --caught on a security cam. 78 00:03:20,967 --> 00:03:21,835 - I didn't take any-- 79 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:24,571 I didn't take the $600. 80 00:03:24,671 --> 00:03:27,107 - I'm sorry. 81 00:03:29,910 --> 00:03:31,078 - So-- so-- 82 00:03:31,144 --> 00:03:32,212 - Sorry. 83 00:03:32,312 --> 00:03:33,613 - We got enough people to cause trouble 84 00:03:33,714 --> 00:03:35,348 around here who live here. 85 00:03:35,482 --> 00:03:36,716 So why does this guy-- - I called the police. 86 00:03:36,783 --> 00:03:38,985 - --coming all the way from Illinois to do this? 87 00:03:39,119 --> 00:03:43,824 He has no criminal activity back home. 88 00:03:43,957 --> 00:03:47,260 He acts up when he comes to Michigan. 89 00:03:47,394 --> 00:03:48,862 ♪ ♪ 90 00:03:48,995 --> 00:03:53,066 Come here on vacation, leave here on probation. 91 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,502 ♪ ♪ 92 00:03:55,635 --> 00:03:58,839 So I don't know what's going on with this guy. 93 00:03:58,905 --> 00:04:00,373 How's he doing in school? 94 00:04:00,474 --> 00:04:01,808 - I've been flying planes. 95 00:04:01,908 --> 00:04:03,410 I'm trying to become a pilot. 96 00:04:03,510 --> 00:04:05,612 I'm in the aviation program. 97 00:04:05,712 --> 00:04:07,247 - Well, they ain't gonna give him a pilot's 98 00:04:07,314 --> 00:04:09,449 license with a felony. 99 00:04:09,549 --> 00:04:10,484 - I'm aware, sir. 100 00:04:10,584 --> 00:04:11,952 I'm aware. 101 00:04:12,018 --> 00:04:14,588 I made a very big mistake here. 102 00:04:14,688 --> 00:04:15,589 I'm sorry. 103 00:04:15,689 --> 00:04:16,857 - Yep. 104 00:04:16,990 --> 00:04:18,558 - The judge is not convinced that 105 00:04:18,625 --> 00:04:24,431 this pilot-in-training won't take flight back to Illinois. 106 00:04:24,498 --> 00:04:26,800 - I think he's a flight risk, because he's 107 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:29,069 not from around here. 108 00:04:29,202 --> 00:04:30,303 - I promise-- 109 00:04:30,437 --> 00:04:31,404 - And I think there's a public safety-- 110 00:04:31,471 --> 00:04:34,741 - --I will come back. 111 00:04:34,875 --> 00:04:35,742 - I don't know. 112 00:04:35,876 --> 00:04:37,110 I don't know. 113 00:04:37,244 --> 00:04:39,112 - Dorner makes another attempt to persuade 114 00:04:39,246 --> 00:04:40,747 the judge to release him. 115 00:04:40,881 --> 00:04:42,149 - I have dogs back home. 116 00:04:42,282 --> 00:04:44,951 I have no one to take care of them. 117 00:04:45,018 --> 00:04:46,786 ♪ ♪ 118 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:52,726 - There is a local person doing their job 119 00:04:52,826 --> 00:04:59,032 who allegedly got assaulted by you. 120 00:04:59,099 --> 00:05:01,835 Talking to me about your dogs is just 121 00:05:01,902 --> 00:05:03,670 not doing anything for me. 122 00:05:03,804 --> 00:05:04,838 - I'm not. I'm not trying to-- 123 00:05:04,938 --> 00:05:05,839 - Your dogs. 124 00:05:05,939 --> 00:05:07,741 You're concerned about your dogs. 125 00:05:07,874 --> 00:05:10,076 What about this poor woman who was at the hotel? 126 00:05:10,177 --> 00:05:11,912 ♪ ♪ 127 00:05:17,184 --> 00:05:19,719 - Dorner remained in Genesee County Jail 128 00:05:19,786 --> 00:05:22,956 another week until he was able to post bond. 129 00:05:23,023 --> 00:05:25,392 He later pled guilty to larceny 130 00:05:25,458 --> 00:05:27,460 and was awaiting sentencing. 131 00:05:30,197 --> 00:05:33,233 - Time for our number 4 irate judge. 132 00:05:33,333 --> 00:05:35,635 When an attorney with a family emergency 133 00:05:35,702 --> 00:05:40,607 expects empathy from the judge, he's in for a big surprise. 134 00:05:44,945 --> 00:05:48,882 Next, we go to Dayton, Ohio, for a civil hearing. 135 00:05:48,949 --> 00:05:51,751 42-year-old Selena Saunders has filed a suit 136 00:05:51,852 --> 00:05:54,754 against her employer, the Greater Dayton Regional 137 00:05:54,821 --> 00:05:57,324 Transit Authority, claiming disability 138 00:05:57,424 --> 00:05:59,659 and sexual discrimination. 139 00:05:59,793 --> 00:06:01,962 The disability suit was dismissed, 140 00:06:02,062 --> 00:06:05,232 but the discrimination case is moving forward. 141 00:06:05,298 --> 00:06:07,634 Today Saunders' attorney, Julius Carter, 142 00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:10,403 informs the court that he has a sudden family 143 00:06:10,470 --> 00:06:14,507 emergency, so he's asking to be excused for the day. 144 00:06:24,718 --> 00:06:25,886 - That's fine. 145 00:06:25,986 --> 00:06:29,956 - Ladies and gentlemen, we need to take a break. 146 00:06:30,023 --> 00:06:33,426 - As Carter waits to leave, Judge Mary Kate Huffman 147 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:35,562 moves on to the next witness. 148 00:06:35,662 --> 00:06:36,796 - All right. 149 00:06:36,863 --> 00:06:38,832 The plaintiff has indicated an intention 150 00:06:38,898 --> 00:06:42,168 to call Ms. Crutcher by way of her videotaped deposition 151 00:06:42,269 --> 00:06:44,004 taken on March the 16th. 152 00:06:44,070 --> 00:06:45,672 There was an objection by Mr. Carter. 153 00:06:45,805 --> 00:06:47,941 What's the basis of that, Mr. Carter? 154 00:06:48,074 --> 00:06:52,012 - I have no idea without looking at the information. 155 00:06:52,112 --> 00:06:54,748 - Well, it's on page 44 of the deposition. 156 00:06:54,881 --> 00:06:58,018 - The judge seems to be focused more on the case 157 00:06:58,151 --> 00:07:00,520 than Carter's personal request. 158 00:07:00,587 --> 00:07:03,456 - I've let the court know I need to get to the hospital. 159 00:07:03,590 --> 00:07:04,624 - Mr. Carter-- 160 00:07:04,758 --> 00:07:06,426 - And I'm asking to be excused to do so. 161 00:07:06,559 --> 00:07:09,062 - Mr. Carter, I am not going to do that at this time. 162 00:07:09,195 --> 00:07:11,464 We are going to finish with this witness. 163 00:07:11,598 --> 00:07:13,433 You contacted the bailiff late last week. 164 00:07:13,500 --> 00:07:15,435 You didn't ask for a continuance. 165 00:07:15,502 --> 00:07:17,437 You didn't ask for a phone conference. 166 00:07:17,504 --> 00:07:20,607 Unfortunately, life experiences happen, 167 00:07:20,674 --> 00:07:22,309 and I apologize for those. 168 00:07:22,442 --> 00:07:24,811 But I am concerned about a jury, 169 00:07:24,911 --> 00:07:26,513 and we're in the middle of a trial, so... 170 00:07:28,948 --> 00:07:29,983 - No, Mr. Carter, I am not. 171 00:07:30,116 --> 00:07:31,318 - You must be. 172 00:07:31,384 --> 00:07:32,485 I'm leaving, and I'm going to the hospital. 173 00:07:32,585 --> 00:07:33,954 - You can feel free to do so-- 174 00:07:34,054 --> 00:07:35,989 - If you want to continue to play the video, that's fine. 175 00:07:36,056 --> 00:07:38,792 - Sir, you can make your choice-- 176 00:07:38,858 --> 00:07:40,927 - --about what you choose to do. 177 00:07:41,027 --> 00:07:43,496 Amy, would you please bring the jury back in? 178 00:07:43,630 --> 00:07:45,632 ♪ ♪ 179 00:07:45,699 --> 00:07:47,934 - Carter packs up his belongings and heads 180 00:07:48,034 --> 00:07:49,202 for the door. 181 00:07:49,269 --> 00:07:52,072 ♪ ♪ 182 00:07:52,205 --> 00:07:55,241 Judge Huffman is not happy. 183 00:07:55,308 --> 00:07:59,479 - Well, frankly, if you leave and don't call this witness-- 184 00:07:59,546 --> 00:08:02,482 Mr. Carter, I am not playing the video without the witness 185 00:08:02,549 --> 00:08:03,750 being called by counsel. 186 00:08:03,917 --> 00:08:05,385 ♪ ♪ 187 00:08:05,518 --> 00:08:06,720 Amy, would you go get him and tell him 188 00:08:06,786 --> 00:08:08,054 if he doesn't come back in here, 189 00:08:08,188 --> 00:08:09,990 I am going to grant judgment for the defendant? 190 00:08:10,090 --> 00:08:13,193 I will have no choice. 191 00:08:13,293 --> 00:08:15,495 - Carter did not return to court that day, 192 00:08:15,628 --> 00:08:19,833 and the judge did rule in favor of the defendant. 193 00:08:19,933 --> 00:08:22,502 With her brother by her side, Carter's sister 194 00:08:22,635 --> 00:08:25,372 was taken off life support the following day 195 00:08:25,472 --> 00:08:28,942 and soon after passed away. 196 00:08:29,075 --> 00:08:32,078 As for Saunders' case, Carter filed an appeal, 197 00:08:32,145 --> 00:08:33,813 calling Judge Huffman's decision 198 00:08:33,913 --> 00:08:37,350 to dismiss the case, "Unreasonable, arbitrary, 199 00:08:37,417 --> 00:08:39,285 and unconscionable." 200 00:08:39,386 --> 00:08:41,788 But ultimately, an appeals court agreed 201 00:08:41,855 --> 00:08:49,095 with the judge's decision. 202 00:08:49,095 --> 00:08:50,897 - You're watching "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges." 203 00:08:51,030 --> 00:08:52,365 I'm Dan Abrams. 204 00:08:52,465 --> 00:08:55,068 At number 3, when a man interrupts court 205 00:08:55,201 --> 00:08:57,637 to object to his bond conditions, 206 00:08:57,737 --> 00:09:00,640 a judicial officer quickly and decisively 207 00:09:00,740 --> 00:09:02,642 stops him in his tracks. 208 00:09:05,245 --> 00:09:09,182 - Next, we go to Houston, Texas, for a bond hearing. 209 00:09:09,315 --> 00:09:11,184 48-year-old Brian Burnette has been 210 00:09:11,317 --> 00:09:15,555 charged with invasive visual recording, a felony. 211 00:09:15,622 --> 00:09:17,424 Burnette was living in this townhouse 212 00:09:17,557 --> 00:09:20,226 when his neighbor, whose residence shares a wall 213 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:23,663 with Burnette's, noticed some holes in her bathroom ceiling, 214 00:09:23,797 --> 00:09:25,231 according to police. 215 00:09:25,331 --> 00:09:27,700 When the woman asked a friend to investigate, 216 00:09:27,834 --> 00:09:30,870 he found a camera wedged into one of the holes 217 00:09:31,004 --> 00:09:33,640 pointing directly into her bathroom. 218 00:09:33,706 --> 00:09:38,945 Inside the camera was an SD card that the friend removed. 219 00:09:39,078 --> 00:09:41,080 He also noticed that the drywall 220 00:09:41,147 --> 00:09:43,550 meant to separate the two attic spaces 221 00:09:43,683 --> 00:09:45,518 had been taken down. 222 00:09:45,585 --> 00:09:47,153 The woman moved out of her condo, 223 00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:49,589 and her landlord called police. 224 00:09:49,689 --> 00:09:52,959 When investigators viewed the contents of the SD card, 225 00:09:53,026 --> 00:09:57,297 they found numerous videos of the woman in her shower. 226 00:09:57,430 --> 00:09:59,766 Burnette was quickly arrested. 227 00:09:59,866 --> 00:10:00,834 - Brian Burnette? 228 00:10:00,900 --> 00:10:02,268 - Yes, ma'am. 229 00:10:02,402 --> 00:10:04,871 - Today Burnette appears before Lisa Potter, 230 00:10:05,004 --> 00:10:07,173 a Harris County hearing officer, 231 00:10:07,273 --> 00:10:09,676 hoping he'll be released on bond. 232 00:10:09,742 --> 00:10:12,479 - Mr. Burnette, 233 00:10:12,545 --> 00:10:14,047 do you consent to allow 234 00:10:14,114 --> 00:10:17,484 the assistant public defender to represent 235 00:10:17,584 --> 00:10:19,686 you at this bond hearing? 236 00:10:19,786 --> 00:10:21,287 - Yes, Your Honor. 237 00:10:21,387 --> 00:10:23,990 - When the hearing officer checks in with both attorneys, 238 00:10:24,057 --> 00:10:26,960 the state requests a bond of $10,000 239 00:10:27,026 --> 00:10:29,629 and asks for no contact with the complainant 240 00:10:29,729 --> 00:10:34,567 or the location, as well as GPS monitoring and a curfew. 241 00:10:34,634 --> 00:10:36,369 The public defender points out that Burnette 242 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:41,207 has no prior convictions and asks for just $1,000 bond. 243 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:44,744 Potter considers both sides before making her decision. 244 00:10:44,878 --> 00:10:48,748 - Mr. Burnette, I'm gonna set your bond at $5,000. 245 00:10:48,882 --> 00:10:51,518 I am gonna order as a condition of any bond 246 00:10:51,584 --> 00:10:55,555 you do post that you do not have any contact at all 247 00:10:55,622 --> 00:10:56,956 with [bleep]. 248 00:10:57,023 --> 00:11:00,360 I'm gonna order you not to go within 200 feet 249 00:11:00,426 --> 00:11:02,495 of the complainant's residence 250 00:11:02,629 --> 00:11:06,432 or any location where [bleep] lives. 251 00:11:06,499 --> 00:11:07,901 ♪ ♪ 252 00:11:08,001 --> 00:11:10,003 I know you live at that location. 253 00:11:10,069 --> 00:11:12,639 You may not return there, period. 254 00:11:12,739 --> 00:11:15,542 If you do, your bond can be revoked, 255 00:11:15,675 --> 00:11:18,077 and you can be taken back into custody. 256 00:11:18,144 --> 00:11:20,113 If it is your allegation-- 257 00:11:20,246 --> 00:11:21,681 stop talking! 258 00:11:21,748 --> 00:11:25,685 ♪ ♪ 259 00:11:25,785 --> 00:11:28,321 - Well, then tell the judge in your court that. 260 00:11:28,388 --> 00:11:30,456 And the judge will ask the prosecutor 261 00:11:30,590 --> 00:11:33,560 to call her and confirm that. 262 00:11:33,626 --> 00:11:36,796 But until that happens, you may not go back. 263 00:11:36,863 --> 00:11:39,766 And if you prefer, I can raise your bond, 264 00:11:39,866 --> 00:11:43,369 and you can stay here, because I really don't see any way 265 00:11:43,469 --> 00:11:47,574 to protect the community from you, even with house arrest, 266 00:11:47,674 --> 00:11:51,678 considering this was in your house. 267 00:11:53,179 --> 00:11:55,682 Remove him from the courtroom, please. 268 00:11:55,748 --> 00:11:56,950 - Yes, ma'am. 269 00:11:57,083 --> 00:11:59,218 - Four days later, after posting bond, 270 00:11:59,352 --> 00:12:01,888 Burnette appeared before Judge DaSean Jones 271 00:12:01,988 --> 00:12:04,857 and asked that the restriction of returning to his residence 272 00:12:04,991 --> 00:12:06,192 be removed. 273 00:12:06,292 --> 00:12:08,261 The judge allowed it, despite arguments 274 00:12:08,394 --> 00:12:11,464 from the prosecution, who claimed a new female tenant 275 00:12:11,598 --> 00:12:14,467 was about to move into the alleged victim's condo 276 00:12:14,601 --> 00:12:16,703 and that the holes in the bathroom ceiling 277 00:12:16,836 --> 00:12:18,371 had not yet been repaired. 278 00:12:18,471 --> 00:12:25,678 Burnette has pled not guilty, and his case is pending. 279 00:12:25,678 --> 00:12:26,879 - We're all the way to number 2 now 280 00:12:26,879 --> 00:12:28,681 on "Court Cam's" list of irate judges. 281 00:12:28,748 --> 00:12:30,149 I'm Dan Abrams. 282 00:12:30,283 --> 00:12:32,819 No one likes to be interrupted or talked over, 283 00:12:32,952 --> 00:12:34,554 especially judges. 284 00:12:34,621 --> 00:12:36,322 And the judge in this civil hearing 285 00:12:36,389 --> 00:12:39,659 is no exception, especially when the plaintiff 286 00:12:39,792 --> 00:12:42,862 just won't stop talking. 287 00:12:44,931 --> 00:12:47,233 - Edwards versus Guillera. 288 00:12:47,333 --> 00:12:50,837 - Next, we head to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for a civil hearing. 289 00:12:50,937 --> 00:12:54,274 Attorney Ali Moubarak has filed a motion on behalf 290 00:12:54,407 --> 00:12:57,276 of his clients, Maril and Juan Guillera, 291 00:12:57,343 --> 00:12:59,879 to set aside a default judgment. 292 00:12:59,946 --> 00:13:02,081 The plaintiff, 49-year-old Autumn Edwards, 293 00:13:02,181 --> 00:13:03,916 rented a home from the Guilleras 294 00:13:03,983 --> 00:13:08,121 and is suing them for $6,500, claiming that while she lived 295 00:13:08,187 --> 00:13:10,723 in the house faulty plumbing did damage 296 00:13:10,823 --> 00:13:12,659 to some of her property. 297 00:13:12,792 --> 00:13:15,395 The Guilleras had 21 days to respond, 298 00:13:15,461 --> 00:13:17,230 but they said they didn't believe 299 00:13:17,330 --> 00:13:18,798 the suit was authentic. 300 00:13:18,865 --> 00:13:21,768 So they didn't respond in the required time period, 301 00:13:21,834 --> 00:13:23,369 leading to a default judgment 302 00:13:23,469 --> 00:13:25,471 in favor of the plaintiff. 303 00:13:25,605 --> 00:13:27,707 Judge Kirk Tabbey reviews the defendants' 304 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:31,077 claims before addressing the default judgment. 305 00:13:31,144 --> 00:13:36,449 - They have described why they weren't 306 00:13:36,516 --> 00:13:40,219 sure it was a real summons. 307 00:13:40,353 --> 00:13:43,423 So they didn't file their answer. 308 00:13:43,556 --> 00:13:46,426 So we give people a little bit of deference 309 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,361 if they don't understand something. 310 00:13:48,428 --> 00:13:49,662 What do you have to say? 311 00:13:49,796 --> 00:13:52,899 - The bottom line is, she was served. 312 00:13:53,032 --> 00:13:55,168 She was very irate while reading it. 313 00:13:55,234 --> 00:13:56,602 It was very legible. 314 00:13:56,703 --> 00:13:58,871 When she got it, she read it all the way to the bottom. 315 00:13:59,005 --> 00:14:00,840 She looked me in my face and said, "I'll just 316 00:14:00,940 --> 00:14:03,042 see you in court" real nasty. 317 00:14:03,109 --> 00:14:04,677 I don't have any reason to lie. 318 00:14:04,744 --> 00:14:08,081 And I believe that this default judgment should stand. 319 00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:09,315 - I looked at it. 320 00:14:09,449 --> 00:14:12,552 There was no lease attached. 321 00:14:12,652 --> 00:14:15,588 I wasn't sure if this was a landlord-tenant issue. 322 00:14:15,722 --> 00:14:18,591 I wasn't sure if this was a damages issue. 323 00:14:18,658 --> 00:14:21,394 It just isn't clear what you're suing for. 324 00:14:21,494 --> 00:14:23,863 So I'm granting the motion to set 325 00:14:23,996 --> 00:14:26,833 aside the default, which means we can 326 00:14:26,899 --> 00:14:29,435 have the dispute discussed. 327 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:33,039 - Edwards does not agree with the judge's decision. 328 00:14:33,139 --> 00:14:34,307 - I mean, what are we disputing? 329 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:36,442 You're already ruling in their favor now, 330 00:14:36,509 --> 00:14:38,211 and you're probably gonna do it in the future. 331 00:14:38,311 --> 00:14:39,412 So what's the point? 332 00:14:39,512 --> 00:14:40,680 What is all this for now? - Excuse me? 333 00:14:40,780 --> 00:14:42,014 - You're gonna sit up here and let him lie. 334 00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:43,149 - Excuse me, Ms. Edwards? 335 00:14:43,282 --> 00:14:44,584 What are you talking about? 336 00:14:44,717 --> 00:14:46,085 Are you claiming that I'm-- you don't understand. 337 00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:47,754 - I do understand. - Just wait a minute. 338 00:14:47,854 --> 00:14:49,355 You wait a minute. - [inaudible] 21 days for me. 339 00:14:49,455 --> 00:14:51,591 You'd have threw my case-- - Stop talking! 340 00:14:51,657 --> 00:14:54,060 - Man, get-- - Stop talking. 341 00:14:54,193 --> 00:14:58,264 - And then, without warning, Edwards leaves the call. 342 00:14:58,398 --> 00:15:00,199 - You have to come back with your camera. 343 00:15:00,266 --> 00:15:01,234 We're in a hearing. 344 00:15:01,367 --> 00:15:04,370 If you do not, uh, there you are. 345 00:15:04,470 --> 00:15:05,638 Thank you. 346 00:15:05,705 --> 00:15:08,274 I have made a ruling on a preliminary matter 347 00:15:08,408 --> 00:15:09,275 in this case. 348 00:15:09,408 --> 00:15:10,643 - Yeah, I heard you. 349 00:15:10,710 --> 00:15:12,211 - I don't even understand-- no, first of all, 350 00:15:12,311 --> 00:15:13,279 you can't overtalk me. 351 00:15:13,379 --> 00:15:14,280 - I'm talking to her. 352 00:15:14,380 --> 00:15:16,416 - I will give you a-- no, stop. 353 00:15:16,516 --> 00:15:18,484 I will give you a chance to talk when I-- 354 00:15:18,584 --> 00:15:19,585 - I don't got nothing else to say. 355 00:15:19,719 --> 00:15:20,753 - Stop. 356 00:15:20,853 --> 00:15:21,954 - I don't have anything else-- - Stop! 357 00:15:22,054 --> 00:15:23,289 - --to say. - You stop. 358 00:15:23,389 --> 00:15:24,590 - Stop! - I don't have nothing to say. 359 00:15:24,657 --> 00:15:26,392 - Stop! Stop. 360 00:15:26,459 --> 00:15:30,062 You have to stop interrupting and being so absolutely rude 361 00:15:30,196 --> 00:15:31,864 and condescending. 362 00:15:31,998 --> 00:15:35,201 And if you leave, this case is dismissed. 363 00:15:35,301 --> 00:15:37,036 - Edwards steps away and is replaced 364 00:15:37,103 --> 00:15:39,772 by her friend, Nettie Carter. 365 00:15:39,872 --> 00:15:40,907 - Ms. Carter, let her know if she 366 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:42,708 leaves and doesn't come back on camera, 367 00:15:42,842 --> 00:15:45,878 I'm dismissing the case. 368 00:15:45,978 --> 00:15:48,080 - I will give you a chance to speak, 369 00:15:48,147 --> 00:15:49,282 like I give everybody-- 370 00:15:49,382 --> 00:15:50,683 - Dismiss the case-- - --a chance to speak. 371 00:15:50,750 --> 00:15:52,018 - --like you threatened. Dismiss the case [inaudible]. 372 00:15:52,151 --> 00:15:54,787 - And you do not interrupt. 373 00:15:54,921 --> 00:15:56,022 All right. 374 00:15:56,155 --> 00:15:57,557 She doesn't want to participate in the case. 375 00:15:57,623 --> 00:15:58,558 - Yeah. 376 00:15:58,624 --> 00:15:59,559 Dismiss the case. 377 00:15:59,625 --> 00:16:00,860 You was gonna do it anyways. 378 00:16:00,993 --> 00:16:02,128 - Yeah. 379 00:16:02,228 --> 00:16:05,264 Now she's making false claims against me. 380 00:16:05,398 --> 00:16:07,834 Mr. Moubarak, she's looking like she's voluntarily 381 00:16:07,900 --> 00:16:09,135 abandoning her case. 382 00:16:09,235 --> 00:16:10,636 Do you move to dismiss? 383 00:16:10,703 --> 00:16:11,637 - Yes, sir. We move to dismiss. 384 00:16:11,737 --> 00:16:12,638 - OK. 385 00:16:12,738 --> 00:16:14,040 Case dismissed. 386 00:16:14,140 --> 00:16:15,241 Please file an order. 387 00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:19,078 - Yes, sir. 388 00:16:19,178 --> 00:16:20,079 - OK. 389 00:16:20,179 --> 00:16:21,480 You're in contempt of court. 390 00:16:21,547 --> 00:16:23,449 - The judge dismissed the case. 391 00:16:23,549 --> 00:16:25,952 And for contempt of court, Edwards was 392 00:16:26,018 --> 00:16:32,191 sentenced to two days in jail. 393 00:16:32,191 --> 00:16:34,026 - We've been watching "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges." 394 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:37,129 And now it's time for our number 1 story. 395 00:16:37,230 --> 00:16:40,066 When an arsonist with an underage girlfriend 396 00:16:40,199 --> 00:16:43,870 is described by his lawyer as a do-gooder at sentencing, 397 00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:47,273 an outraged judge's anger boils over. 398 00:16:50,743 --> 00:16:52,478 Next, we head to Jackson, Michigan, 399 00:16:52,578 --> 00:16:56,682 for a sentencing, Judge John McBain presiding. 400 00:16:56,749 --> 00:16:58,784 18-year-old Damion Hopkins has pled 401 00:16:58,918 --> 00:17:02,955 guilty to first-degree arson. 402 00:17:03,055 --> 00:17:05,024 Five months earlier, Hopkins set fire 403 00:17:05,157 --> 00:17:06,993 to the home of Charles Penn, 404 00:17:07,093 --> 00:17:10,062 the father of Hopkins' underage girlfriend, 405 00:17:10,196 --> 00:17:11,898 Alexis Penn. 406 00:17:12,031 --> 00:17:13,766 Hopkins claimed he was protecting 407 00:17:13,866 --> 00:17:16,602 Alexis from an abusive father. 408 00:17:16,669 --> 00:17:18,804 The house was completely destroyed, 409 00:17:18,871 --> 00:17:22,675 and Charles suffered first- and second-degree burns. 410 00:17:22,808 --> 00:17:26,078 Alexis's older sister was in the house the day of the blaze 411 00:17:26,145 --> 00:17:28,681 but was unharmed. 412 00:17:28,781 --> 00:17:31,117 Both Hopkins and Alexis were charged 413 00:17:31,217 --> 00:17:32,518 with starting the fire. 414 00:17:32,585 --> 00:17:34,687 Charles, meanwhile, has never been charged 415 00:17:34,787 --> 00:17:36,956 with abusing his daughter. 416 00:17:37,023 --> 00:17:40,259 Hopkins pled guilty to the arson charge in exchange 417 00:17:40,393 --> 00:17:43,162 for having a lying to a peace officer charge 418 00:17:43,229 --> 00:17:44,830 dropped from his case. 419 00:17:44,897 --> 00:17:47,266 The state's suggested sentencing guidelines 420 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:49,735 are 15 to 30 years in prison. 421 00:17:49,835 --> 00:17:51,203 ♪ ♪ 422 00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:53,639 Today Hopkins' attorney, Susan Dehncke, 423 00:17:53,739 --> 00:17:55,641 asked the court to consider her client's 424 00:17:55,708 --> 00:17:58,044 positive impact on the community 425 00:17:58,110 --> 00:18:00,279 before handing down his punishment. 426 00:18:00,379 --> 00:18:03,482 - From a young age, he has been someone who, 427 00:18:03,582 --> 00:18:06,285 he has seen himself and others have seen him as someone 428 00:18:06,385 --> 00:18:07,954 who was there to help. 429 00:18:08,020 --> 00:18:11,090 The court has got a copy of the Citizen Patriot Article 430 00:18:11,190 --> 00:18:13,392 where he received a Courage Award. 431 00:18:13,459 --> 00:18:15,428 - The victim, Charles Penn, 432 00:18:15,561 --> 00:18:17,797 has a completely different opinion 433 00:18:17,897 --> 00:18:21,067 of the defendant and of his relationship 434 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:24,170 with 14-year-old Alexis. 435 00:18:24,236 --> 00:18:27,640 - Damion was a 18-year-old predator, pedophile, 436 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:30,443 and controller, because he was bitter about Lexi finally 437 00:18:30,543 --> 00:18:32,812 getting her life back together and being with 438 00:18:32,912 --> 00:18:35,081 another boy of her own age. 439 00:18:35,147 --> 00:18:37,216 - Ultimately, deciding Hopkins' sentence 440 00:18:37,316 --> 00:18:40,019 is up to Judge McBain, who lets the defendant 441 00:18:40,152 --> 00:18:43,089 know exactly how he feels. 442 00:18:43,189 --> 00:18:46,759 - You know, you're anything but a Boy Scout in this matter. 443 00:18:46,826 --> 00:18:50,630 You're the one statutorily raping that little girl. 444 00:18:50,763 --> 00:18:52,298 And now you're trying to save her 445 00:18:52,431 --> 00:18:56,235 from her dad that really didn't do anything at all, 446 00:18:56,369 --> 00:18:58,070 except try to be a father. 447 00:18:58,204 --> 00:18:59,772 ♪ ♪ 448 00:18:59,872 --> 00:19:01,407 Do you understand what you're lucky you're 449 00:19:01,474 --> 00:19:03,409 not here for sentencing for, Mr. Hopkins? 450 00:19:03,476 --> 00:19:04,410 - Yes. 451 00:19:04,477 --> 00:19:06,946 - What's that? 452 00:19:07,079 --> 00:19:10,616 It's called felony murder, which means that somebody had 453 00:19:10,716 --> 00:19:14,353 actually died in that fire, the only sentence 454 00:19:14,420 --> 00:19:15,955 would have been happening here today 455 00:19:16,055 --> 00:19:19,392 is life without the possibility of parole. 456 00:19:19,458 --> 00:19:21,961 And you'd die in the Department of Corrections. 457 00:19:22,028 --> 00:19:23,596 ♪ ♪ 458 00:19:23,696 --> 00:19:25,664 - Judge McBain adheres to the state's 459 00:19:25,798 --> 00:19:28,567 suggested guidelines and sentences Hopkins 460 00:19:28,634 --> 00:19:31,370 to 15 to 30 years in prison. 461 00:19:31,470 --> 00:19:34,240 He'll be eligible for parole in 2029 462 00:19:34,306 --> 00:19:37,410 when he would be 33 years old. 463 00:19:37,476 --> 00:19:39,912 As for Alexis, because she, too, 464 00:19:40,046 --> 00:19:43,682 was charged with first-degree arson, as per Michigan law, 465 00:19:43,749 --> 00:19:46,118 she was charged as an adult. 466 00:19:46,185 --> 00:19:48,954 She pled guilty by mental illness, 467 00:19:49,021 --> 00:19:52,191 and Judge McBain sentenced the now-15-year-old 468 00:19:52,258 --> 00:19:54,994 to 7 to 20 years in prison. 469 00:19:55,094 --> 00:19:57,596 But 10 months later, she appealed, 470 00:19:57,663 --> 00:19:59,165 and the state gave her a new deal, 471 00:19:59,265 --> 00:20:03,569 which reduced her sentence from 7 to 5 years in prison. 472 00:20:03,636 --> 00:20:06,439 Alexis has since served the minimum of her term 473 00:20:06,505 --> 00:20:09,075 and has been released. 474 00:20:09,208 --> 00:20:12,678 And that does it for "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges." 475 00:20:12,778 --> 00:20:14,113 I'm Dan Abrams. 476 00:20:14,246 --> 00:20:15,247 Thanks for watching.