1 00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:12,846 - Are you okay with the affair? 2 00:00:12,913 --> 00:00:14,081 - I'm okay with it. 3 00:00:14,147 --> 00:00:16,516 - A very strange love triangle... 4 00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:17,951 - But you shot at her. 5 00:00:18,051 --> 00:00:19,786 - I shot a warning shot. 6 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,189 - Oh, my God. 7 00:00:22,289 --> 00:00:24,791 - A lewd act caught on nanny cam... 8 00:00:24,892 --> 00:00:28,629 - He began masturbating in our son's closet. 9 00:00:28,695 --> 00:00:32,432 - And a judge who offers unorthodox sentences. 10 00:00:32,532 --> 00:00:35,168 - So the other choice is to mow the practice lawn. 11 00:00:35,269 --> 00:00:37,104 There's a little catch to it, though. 12 00:00:37,237 --> 00:00:38,872 - In courtrooms across America, 13 00:00:39,006 --> 00:00:41,708 some pretty strange things go down every day. 14 00:00:41,842 --> 00:00:43,710 - A glass pipe? 15 00:00:43,844 --> 00:00:47,514 I was picking bumps on my face in the mirror. 16 00:00:47,581 --> 00:00:52,119 - This is "Court Cam's" top five strangest moments. 17 00:00:52,185 --> 00:00:55,188 [clock ticking] 18 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:59,426 Hi, I'm Dan Abrams, and this is a special edition 19 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:00,694 of "Court Cam." 20 00:01:00,827 --> 00:01:03,063 We're counting down some of the strangest 21 00:01:03,196 --> 00:01:06,266 courtroom moments ever caught on camera. 22 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,702 Let's get right into it with number five, 23 00:01:08,835 --> 00:01:11,471 where a woman starts off requesting a protection order 24 00:01:11,605 --> 00:01:13,874 against her husband's mistress. 25 00:01:13,974 --> 00:01:18,845 But things get more complicated and much stranger from there. 26 00:01:18,912 --> 00:01:21,782 [dramatic music] 27 00:01:21,915 --> 00:01:23,951 First, we're in Atlanta, Georgia, 28 00:01:24,051 --> 00:01:25,953 for a protection order hearing. 29 00:01:26,019 --> 00:01:28,188 ♪ ♪ 30 00:01:28,255 --> 00:01:31,825 53-year-old Rhonda Love has requested a TPO 31 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,027 against Re'Etta Walker. 32 00:01:34,094 --> 00:01:36,964 Love claims that Walker has harassed her online 33 00:01:37,064 --> 00:01:39,633 and showed up at her house demanding money. 34 00:01:39,700 --> 00:01:41,168 Their connection? 35 00:01:41,268 --> 00:01:43,670 Walker has been having an affair 36 00:01:43,804 --> 00:01:47,107 with Love's husband of seven years. 37 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:48,408 ♪ ♪ 38 00:01:48,508 --> 00:01:50,877 Today, both parties appear remotely 39 00:01:50,978 --> 00:01:52,946 before Judge Alex Manning. 40 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,716 - Ms. Love, tell me what Ms. Walker did to you, 41 00:01:55,782 --> 00:01:59,620 specifically what she did to you, please. 42 00:01:59,753 --> 00:02:02,022 - She showed up at my house three times, 43 00:02:02,155 --> 00:02:04,925 once with a man and a gun in her car. 44 00:02:05,025 --> 00:02:07,794 - Tell me what happened once she came over there. 45 00:02:07,861 --> 00:02:10,831 - Her and my husband know each other. 46 00:02:10,897 --> 00:02:12,032 - Had an affair. 47 00:02:12,132 --> 00:02:13,233 - Exactly. 48 00:02:13,300 --> 00:02:16,636 ♪ ♪ 49 00:02:16,703 --> 00:02:20,907 She has been calling me, like, the first of every month, 50 00:02:21,041 --> 00:02:23,076 saying that he owes her money. 51 00:02:23,176 --> 00:02:27,114 But I don't want to get between her and his relationship. 52 00:02:27,247 --> 00:02:29,116 - Are you okay with the affair? 53 00:02:29,216 --> 00:02:30,350 - I'm okay with it. 54 00:02:30,450 --> 00:02:33,620 ♪ ♪ 55 00:02:33,754 --> 00:02:35,555 I tried not to break them up 56 00:02:35,622 --> 00:02:38,358 because I wanted him to go there. 57 00:02:38,425 --> 00:02:41,094 But he wouldn't leave. He's still here. 58 00:02:41,228 --> 00:02:43,797 - Oh, so you want him to leave you and go be with her? 59 00:02:43,864 --> 00:02:45,432 - Yes. - Ms. Walker, what-- 60 00:02:45,532 --> 00:02:47,567 I mean, let him come on over and leave her. 61 00:02:47,668 --> 00:02:49,436 What are you do--you don't want him that bad either, 62 00:02:49,503 --> 00:02:50,470 right, Ms. Walker? 63 00:02:50,604 --> 00:02:51,905 - I don't want him either. 64 00:02:52,039 --> 00:02:54,441 There's too much drama and a lot of lies. 65 00:02:54,508 --> 00:02:56,209 I don't want him. I'm okay. 66 00:02:56,309 --> 00:02:58,078 I don't have a problem with her either. 67 00:02:58,145 --> 00:02:59,079 - You don't want him. 68 00:02:59,146 --> 00:03:01,748 She don't want him. 69 00:03:01,882 --> 00:03:04,351 Wha--wha-- 70 00:03:04,451 --> 00:03:07,788 - The judge seems baffled by the situation. 71 00:03:07,888 --> 00:03:11,258 But things only get stranger as Love explains 72 00:03:11,391 --> 00:03:14,661 how the altercations nearly became violent. 73 00:03:14,795 --> 00:03:16,363 - She came back with a butcher knife. 74 00:03:16,463 --> 00:03:18,432 She had that knife out in her hand. 75 00:03:18,498 --> 00:03:21,835 She is running around here with a butcher knife 76 00:03:21,902 --> 00:03:24,271 in my yard, slapping on my car. 77 00:03:24,404 --> 00:03:27,808 I really had to send a warning shot at her-- 78 00:03:27,908 --> 00:03:30,243 - Wait, wait, you fired a gun? - She shot at me. 79 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:31,545 - Yeah, I did. 80 00:03:31,678 --> 00:03:35,782 ♪ ♪ 81 00:03:35,916 --> 00:03:37,818 - Okay, w-wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. 82 00:03:37,951 --> 00:03:39,352 Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. 83 00:03:39,453 --> 00:03:40,720 But you shot at her. 84 00:03:40,821 --> 00:03:41,922 You fired a gun. 85 00:03:42,022 --> 00:03:44,724 - I shot a warning shot into the ground. 86 00:03:44,825 --> 00:03:46,560 - Oh, my God. 87 00:03:46,626 --> 00:03:51,865 ♪ ♪ 88 00:03:51,998 --> 00:03:53,767 - The two women continue arguing. 89 00:03:53,867 --> 00:03:56,403 - You don't never go to another woman's house 90 00:03:56,470 --> 00:03:57,637 about no man. 91 00:03:57,704 --> 00:03:59,840 This is not what women do, 92 00:03:59,940 --> 00:04:02,042 especially not businesswomen. 93 00:04:02,109 --> 00:04:05,479 Businesswomen do not clown like that. 94 00:04:05,545 --> 00:04:07,514 - Before making a ruling, 95 00:04:07,581 --> 00:04:10,750 the judge wants a little more information from Love. 96 00:04:10,817 --> 00:04:14,087 - So you knew he was a cheater when you married him? 97 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:15,255 - Exactly. 98 00:04:15,388 --> 00:04:17,324 And I agreed. 99 00:04:17,424 --> 00:04:19,159 Because that's our choice. 100 00:04:19,226 --> 00:04:21,027 I knew he was a whorish man. 101 00:04:21,094 --> 00:04:22,796 I knew he was. 102 00:04:22,863 --> 00:04:25,499 But that has nothing to do with how I feel about him 103 00:04:25,632 --> 00:04:27,200 or how he makes me feel. 104 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:29,302 - I don't know, he would make me angry. 105 00:04:29,436 --> 00:04:30,604 Most people, he would make angry. 106 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:32,038 But here's the deal, ma'am. 107 00:04:32,139 --> 00:04:34,541 I mean, you can't go out firing weapons, 108 00:04:34,674 --> 00:04:36,243 even if she is out there kicking you-- 109 00:04:36,309 --> 00:04:38,311 you know, kicking your car or doing whatever. 110 00:04:38,445 --> 00:04:40,780 ♪ ♪ 111 00:04:40,914 --> 00:04:42,349 This ain't some "Sister Wives" thing, 112 00:04:42,482 --> 00:04:43,917 so I don't know what y'all got going on, 113 00:04:43,984 --> 00:04:45,519 but there's a whole bunch of drama. 114 00:04:45,585 --> 00:04:47,354 ♪ ♪ 115 00:04:47,454 --> 00:04:49,389 Here's what I'm gonna do, though. 116 00:04:49,489 --> 00:04:51,591 In 30 days, ma'am, this is gonna be over. 117 00:04:51,658 --> 00:04:53,026 Ms. Walker, don't go back over there. 118 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,262 This is gonna expire on October the 23rd. 119 00:04:55,395 --> 00:04:57,998 - And I'm asking for my PTO, and I'm asking-- 120 00:04:58,064 --> 00:04:59,432 - I'm granting it for 30-- 121 00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:01,701 I'm granting it for 30 days, Ms. Love. 122 00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:03,270 Ms. Walker, God help you, 123 00:05:03,403 --> 00:05:04,871 you live in the same neighborhood. 124 00:05:05,005 --> 00:05:08,675 So if you gotta pass her house, find another way out. 125 00:05:08,775 --> 00:05:10,043 - Okay. 126 00:05:10,110 --> 00:05:12,712 - After issuing the 30-day protection order, 127 00:05:12,846 --> 00:05:16,449 Judge Manning has a final comment for the plaintiff. 128 00:05:16,550 --> 00:05:19,152 - Ms. Love, put your gun away, because you're not-- 129 00:05:19,252 --> 00:05:21,655 once that bullet leaves the end of that barrel, 130 00:05:21,788 --> 00:05:23,623 there ain't nothing you can do to control it. 131 00:05:23,757 --> 00:05:25,392 There is no such thing 132 00:05:25,458 --> 00:05:27,027 as a warning shot. 133 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:28,461 Do you understand me? 134 00:05:28,595 --> 00:05:29,629 - Yes. 135 00:05:29,729 --> 00:05:34,568 ♪ ♪ 136 00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:36,703 - Next, in our number four moment, 137 00:05:36,836 --> 00:05:40,674 when a man faces ten days in jail for mowing obscenities 138 00:05:40,807 --> 00:05:43,844 into the lawn of a high school football field, 139 00:05:43,910 --> 00:05:47,914 a judge known for unusual and creative punishments 140 00:05:47,981 --> 00:05:50,183 offers him a strange deal. 141 00:05:50,350 --> 00:05:53,420 ♪ ♪ 142 00:05:53,553 --> 00:05:55,055 - Cody Scott, come on up. 143 00:05:55,188 --> 00:05:56,823 ♪ ♪ 144 00:05:56,957 --> 00:05:59,159 - Next, we head to Painesville, Ohio, 145 00:05:59,226 --> 00:06:00,627 for a sentencing hearing. 146 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,662 ♪ ♪ 147 00:06:02,796 --> 00:06:05,665 19-year-old Cody Scott has pled guilty 148 00:06:05,799 --> 00:06:07,868 to criminal mischief and trespassing. 149 00:06:07,934 --> 00:06:10,437 ♪ ♪ 150 00:06:10,537 --> 00:06:12,606 Three months earlier, Scott turned himself in 151 00:06:12,672 --> 00:06:17,010 to police after he and two minors mowed obscenities 152 00:06:17,110 --> 00:06:21,314 onto the football field of his old high school. 153 00:06:21,381 --> 00:06:24,484 Today Scott appears before Judge Michael Cicconetti 154 00:06:24,584 --> 00:06:26,486 to hear his sentence. 155 00:06:26,586 --> 00:06:28,788 He's facing up to 90 days in jail. 156 00:06:28,855 --> 00:06:30,757 ♪ ♪ 157 00:06:33,226 --> 00:06:36,496 It says here, they stopped and used their mowers to mow 158 00:06:36,630 --> 00:06:40,367 a penis shape and the words 159 00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:45,038 "F you" and "F me." 160 00:06:46,473 --> 00:06:48,475 - Neighbors called in to complain about it 161 00:06:48,541 --> 00:06:51,411 because their children were viewing the obscenities 162 00:06:51,511 --> 00:06:53,480 and the picture or whatever it was. 163 00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:56,116 Why--just tell me why. 164 00:06:56,216 --> 00:06:57,951 Why in the world would you do something like that? 165 00:06:58,018 --> 00:07:01,955 - I was being childish, and I should have never done it. 166 00:07:02,022 --> 00:07:05,392 - You've got other issues, Cody, and that's-- 167 00:07:05,492 --> 00:07:07,060 you know, you never finished high school. 168 00:07:07,193 --> 00:07:09,229 - Right. 169 00:07:09,329 --> 00:07:11,031 - You have attempted to get your GED? 170 00:07:11,097 --> 00:07:13,266 - Yeah, I'm trying to get my GED. 171 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:14,834 - Well, I think you need to do that. 172 00:07:14,901 --> 00:07:17,837 You got one good thing going for you here. 173 00:07:17,904 --> 00:07:20,006 The police officer who wrote the report said, 174 00:07:20,073 --> 00:07:23,243 he was the only one out of all the defendants 175 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:25,612 that showed some type of remorse. 176 00:07:25,712 --> 00:07:26,846 - Yes, that is true, Your Honor. 177 00:07:26,913 --> 00:07:28,915 - But, I mean, there's consequences to pay for. 178 00:07:28,982 --> 00:07:30,550 - The judge, 179 00:07:30,617 --> 00:07:33,820 who's known for handing out creative sentences, 180 00:07:33,954 --> 00:07:35,956 moves on to Scott's punishment. 181 00:07:36,022 --> 00:07:37,424 - I know one of the choices I wanted to do, 182 00:07:37,557 --> 00:07:38,758 but I couldn't do it. 183 00:07:38,825 --> 00:07:41,795 So you've got two other choices. 184 00:07:41,861 --> 00:07:45,365 One is ten days in jail. 185 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:47,200 Okay? - Mm-hmm. 186 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:50,637 - Or the other choice is to mow the practice lawn. 187 00:07:52,272 --> 00:07:53,640 - Yeah, there's a little catch to it though. 188 00:07:53,707 --> 00:07:54,874 Okay? - All right. 189 00:07:54,941 --> 00:07:56,076 - You're gonna do it with this lawn mower. 190 00:07:56,142 --> 00:07:57,811 You want to bring it out? 191 00:07:57,911 --> 00:08:00,080 [playful music] 192 00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:04,317 Just a good old-fashioned lawn mower. 193 00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:08,388 ♪ ♪ 194 00:08:10,357 --> 00:08:11,458 - That's your option? - Yeah. 195 00:08:11,591 --> 00:08:12,726 - Okay. 196 00:08:12,826 --> 00:08:15,695 You'll do that instead of ten days in jail. 197 00:08:15,829 --> 00:08:17,630 - Before wrapping up, 198 00:08:17,697 --> 00:08:21,201 Judge Cicconetti has a couple more conditions. 199 00:08:21,267 --> 00:08:23,670 - Now, in addition to that, 200 00:08:23,803 --> 00:08:26,406 not to enter Fairport Harding High School property, 201 00:08:26,473 --> 00:08:28,108 I don't want you-- I want you to stay away 202 00:08:28,241 --> 00:08:30,310 from those codefendants that you were involved with, 203 00:08:30,443 --> 00:08:32,278 maintain employment. 204 00:08:32,379 --> 00:08:34,514 More importantly, I want you to get your GED. 205 00:08:37,183 --> 00:08:39,419 - The next day, it took Scott three hours 206 00:08:39,552 --> 00:08:41,421 to mow the entire field. 207 00:08:41,554 --> 00:08:43,990 He later said he was grateful to the judge, 208 00:08:44,090 --> 00:08:46,226 who taught him a valuable lesson. 209 00:08:46,359 --> 00:08:49,662 As for his two codefendants, they were both minors, 210 00:08:49,796 --> 00:08:52,432 and their cases are sealed. 211 00:08:52,499 --> 00:08:53,867 ♪ ♪ 212 00:08:57,670 --> 00:08:58,304 And we're already up to number three. 213 00:08:58,571 --> 00:09:00,240 As a man waits for his case to be called 214 00:09:00,340 --> 00:09:02,075 during a virtual hearing, 215 00:09:02,175 --> 00:09:04,310 he takes advantage of the downtime 216 00:09:04,444 --> 00:09:06,880 to catch up on his grooming. 217 00:09:06,980 --> 00:09:10,083 That's when the comedy of errors ensues. 218 00:09:10,150 --> 00:09:12,352 ♪ ♪ 219 00:09:12,452 --> 00:09:16,456 Next, we're in district court in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 220 00:09:16,589 --> 00:09:20,560 Judge J. Cedric Simpson presiding. 221 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:23,630 As is often the case in busy virtual courtrooms, 222 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:25,865 several attorneys and defendants can be seen 223 00:09:25,999 --> 00:09:30,236 on screen, waiting for their cases to be called. 224 00:09:30,303 --> 00:09:33,673 One of them is 39-year-old Jason Ventro. 225 00:09:33,807 --> 00:09:36,476 He's here today on a charge of failing to stop 226 00:09:36,543 --> 00:09:40,513 at the scene of a personal injury accident. 227 00:09:40,647 --> 00:09:43,116 Nine months earlier, Ventro rear-ended 228 00:09:43,216 --> 00:09:46,319 a vehicle stopped at a red light. 229 00:09:46,386 --> 00:09:47,720 After checking on the other driver, 230 00:09:47,787 --> 00:09:49,122 who appeared uninjured, 231 00:09:49,222 --> 00:09:51,558 and leaving his insurance information, 232 00:09:51,624 --> 00:09:55,562 Ventro drove his truck to his home nearby. 233 00:09:55,662 --> 00:09:57,230 When police arrived on the scene, 234 00:09:57,330 --> 00:10:01,234 the driver was, in fact, found to be injured. 235 00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:02,635 Ventro was located 236 00:10:02,735 --> 00:10:05,472 and arrested for leaving the scene. 237 00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:08,908 He's free on a $5,000 bond. 238 00:10:09,042 --> 00:10:11,878 He's facing a possible thousand-dollar fine 239 00:10:11,978 --> 00:10:14,848 and one year in jail if convicted. 240 00:10:14,914 --> 00:10:16,783 Today Ventro is before Judge Simpson 241 00:10:16,916 --> 00:10:18,318 for a pretrial hearing. 242 00:10:18,384 --> 00:10:20,487 But before the proceedings even begin, 243 00:10:20,587 --> 00:10:23,189 the judicial coordinator, Lisa Tang, 244 00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:25,592 has some information about Ventro 245 00:10:25,692 --> 00:10:27,794 to share with the judge. 246 00:10:27,894 --> 00:10:29,863 - Your Honor, I'm so sorry to interrupt, 247 00:10:29,996 --> 00:10:31,431 but I wanted to make you aware. 248 00:10:31,498 --> 00:10:33,566 I believe Jason Ventro was lighting up 249 00:10:33,666 --> 00:10:36,636 a glass pipe earlier. 250 00:10:36,736 --> 00:10:40,707 - Mr. Ventro, what were you smoking? 251 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:42,275 - Smoking? 252 00:10:42,342 --> 00:10:44,811 ♪ ♪ 253 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:46,312 Excuse me? 254 00:10:46,446 --> 00:10:49,182 - Yeah, we-- you believe he was lighting up 255 00:10:49,315 --> 00:10:51,751 a glass pipe just now? 256 00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:56,356 - Not just now, approximately 15 minutes ago. 257 00:10:56,422 --> 00:10:58,825 - A glass pipe? 258 00:10:58,958 --> 00:11:01,261 - The coordinator believes she saw Ventro 259 00:11:01,394 --> 00:11:04,964 in the virtual court smoking something from a glass pipe 260 00:11:05,064 --> 00:11:07,500 while he waited for his case to be called. 261 00:11:07,634 --> 00:11:10,069 Ventro has an explanation. 262 00:11:10,203 --> 00:11:13,206 - No, Your Honor, I was not lighting no glass pipe. 263 00:11:13,273 --> 00:11:16,442 I was picking bumps on my face in the mirror. 264 00:11:16,509 --> 00:11:18,745 [playful music] 265 00:11:18,878 --> 00:11:20,647 - All right. Well, I'll tell you what, 266 00:11:20,713 --> 00:11:22,715 we'll go back and look at it. 267 00:11:22,815 --> 00:11:25,285 - Okay, yes, please do. 268 00:11:25,385 --> 00:11:27,353 - The coordinator checks the footage 269 00:11:27,453 --> 00:11:30,190 before the court considers further action. 270 00:11:30,256 --> 00:11:32,392 [tape rewinding] 271 00:11:32,458 --> 00:11:33,826 ♪ ♪ 272 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,963 After Ventro logs in, he's seen holding 273 00:11:37,063 --> 00:11:40,900 what looks like a clear purple pen in his hand. 274 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,503 He moves to the bathroom and places his phone 275 00:11:43,636 --> 00:11:46,806 on the counter, facing up. 276 00:11:46,873 --> 00:11:50,043 At first, it's unclear what's happening. 277 00:11:50,109 --> 00:11:52,745 Ventro's holding the pen up to his face. 278 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:59,919 ♪ ♪ 279 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:06,826 But then it becomes apparent that he is, 280 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:09,996 in his own words, picking bumps. 281 00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:17,036 ♪ ♪ 282 00:12:18,104 --> 00:12:20,006 When Judge Simpson calls Ventro's case 283 00:12:20,073 --> 00:12:22,875 a few minutes later, the judicial coordinator 284 00:12:22,942 --> 00:12:24,744 sets the record straight. 285 00:12:24,877 --> 00:12:27,714 - Ms. Tang, you wanted to say something to the court? 286 00:12:27,847 --> 00:12:30,116 - Judge, I apologize. I was mistaken. 287 00:12:30,183 --> 00:12:32,352 It was his camera angle. 288 00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:33,553 - All right, thank you. 289 00:12:33,653 --> 00:12:35,855 - Thank you. 290 00:12:35,989 --> 00:12:37,056 - All right, we reviewed it. 291 00:12:37,190 --> 00:12:39,025 That's why we review it. 292 00:12:39,158 --> 00:12:40,393 - Thank you, Your Honor. 293 00:12:40,460 --> 00:12:42,195 ♪ ♪ 294 00:12:42,295 --> 00:12:44,430 - It was all a misunderstanding. 295 00:12:44,497 --> 00:12:45,898 But it's also a good reminder 296 00:12:46,032 --> 00:12:48,401 that virtual court is still court, 297 00:12:48,501 --> 00:12:52,272 and judges and staff are always watching. 298 00:12:52,405 --> 00:12:55,608 With the pimple-picking controversy settled... 299 00:12:55,708 --> 00:12:58,544 - Sir, raise your right hand. 300 00:12:58,678 --> 00:13:01,247 - The hearing continues. 301 00:13:01,314 --> 00:13:03,383 He eventually pled no contest, 302 00:13:03,516 --> 00:13:05,752 but failed to show up at his sentencing, 303 00:13:05,818 --> 00:13:08,087 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. 304 00:13:11,824 --> 00:13:12,759 - I'm Dan Abrams, and this is "Court Cam's" 305 00:13:12,825 --> 00:13:15,395 top five strangest moments. 306 00:13:15,495 --> 00:13:18,064 Now time for our number two story. 307 00:13:18,197 --> 00:13:20,800 After disrupting the court several times, 308 00:13:20,867 --> 00:13:24,237 a man accused of sexual assault and kidnapping 309 00:13:24,304 --> 00:13:27,373 manages to cause an even bigger disturbance 310 00:13:27,473 --> 00:13:29,008 when he appears from jail. 311 00:13:29,075 --> 00:13:31,277 ♪ ♪ 312 00:13:31,377 --> 00:13:34,681 Next, we're in Suffolk Superior Court 313 00:13:34,747 --> 00:13:37,483 in Boston, Massachusetts, for jury selection 314 00:13:37,583 --> 00:13:40,320 in the trial of 42-year-old Victor Peña. 315 00:13:40,386 --> 00:13:42,922 ♪ ♪ 316 00:13:42,989 --> 00:13:44,757 Peña is charged with kidnapping 317 00:13:44,824 --> 00:13:47,827 and ten counts of aggravated rape. 318 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:49,595 ♪ ♪ 319 00:13:49,696 --> 00:13:51,264 Three and a half years earlier, 320 00:13:51,397 --> 00:13:54,167 a 23-year-old woman was reported missing 321 00:13:54,267 --> 00:13:55,868 after leaving a downtown bar. 322 00:13:56,002 --> 00:13:58,037 She and a man she'd met on the dance floor 323 00:13:58,104 --> 00:14:00,840 were both kicked out for being too intoxicated. 324 00:14:00,907 --> 00:14:02,842 They parted ways outside the bar, 325 00:14:02,942 --> 00:14:05,144 and the woman continued walking alone, 326 00:14:05,278 --> 00:14:08,448 where she encountered Peña, a stranger. 327 00:14:08,514 --> 00:14:11,484 After a nearly three-day manhunt, 328 00:14:11,584 --> 00:14:14,954 police traced the woman's cell phone to Peña's apartment 329 00:14:15,054 --> 00:14:16,989 and found them both inside. 330 00:14:17,056 --> 00:14:19,859 The woman was shaking, crying, and disheveled, 331 00:14:19,992 --> 00:14:22,061 but appeared to be okay. 332 00:14:22,195 --> 00:14:23,629 She told police she didn't remember 333 00:14:23,696 --> 00:14:25,431 what happened the night of her abduction, 334 00:14:25,498 --> 00:14:28,801 but woke up naked in bed next to Peña. 335 00:14:28,868 --> 00:14:30,236 When she tried to leave, 336 00:14:30,336 --> 00:14:32,238 she says he threatened to kill her. 337 00:14:32,338 --> 00:14:35,775 ♪ ♪ 338 00:14:35,875 --> 00:14:37,910 Throughout the three days of captivity, 339 00:14:38,044 --> 00:14:41,748 Peña forced the woman to drink alcohol and read the Bible. 340 00:14:41,881 --> 00:14:44,751 He also photographed her over 300 times 341 00:14:44,851 --> 00:14:47,520 and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. 342 00:14:47,587 --> 00:14:50,790 ♪ ♪ 343 00:14:50,857 --> 00:14:53,392 Peña, who has a history of violence against women, 344 00:14:53,459 --> 00:14:56,596 was arrested, charged, and held without bail. 345 00:14:56,696 --> 00:14:59,966 ♪ ♪ 346 00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:01,734 He's pled not guilty. 347 00:15:01,834 --> 00:15:05,238 ♪ ♪ 348 00:15:05,338 --> 00:15:08,007 Today Peña, looking much different than he did 349 00:15:08,074 --> 00:15:10,076 when he was arrested three and a half years earlier, 350 00:15:10,176 --> 00:15:12,044 is in court for jury selection. 351 00:15:12,111 --> 00:15:13,412 ♪ ♪ 352 00:15:13,513 --> 00:15:15,648 - All rise, please. 353 00:15:15,715 --> 00:15:16,949 - Good morning, Your Honor. Before the court, 354 00:15:17,083 --> 00:15:20,553 the matter of Commonwealth versus Victor Peña. 355 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:23,089 - Peña has been disruptive in earlier hearings, 356 00:15:23,189 --> 00:15:27,527 so Judge Anthony Campo Jr. gives him a warning. 357 00:15:27,627 --> 00:15:31,030 - Mr. Peña, I am going to require that you comport 358 00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:33,065 with the rules of this courtroom. 359 00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:34,834 I've always shown you respect. 360 00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:36,536 And I fully anticipate and expect 361 00:15:36,636 --> 00:15:40,840 that you will show not only this process respect, 362 00:15:40,907 --> 00:15:42,108 but that you will have respect 363 00:15:42,241 --> 00:15:44,710 for our Superior Court session here. 364 00:15:44,844 --> 00:15:47,713 - But Peña seems unable to comply. 365 00:15:55,021 --> 00:15:57,190 - Before long, Peña argues with the judge, 366 00:15:57,290 --> 00:16:01,594 interrupts proceedings, and requests a new attorney, 367 00:16:01,694 --> 00:16:04,297 a request the judge denies. 368 00:16:04,430 --> 00:16:05,865 ♪ ♪ 369 00:16:05,998 --> 00:16:09,235 Eventually, he's removed from the courtroom, 370 00:16:09,368 --> 00:16:12,238 only two jurors having been selected. 371 00:16:12,305 --> 00:16:16,876 For day two of jury selection, Peña is not in court. 372 00:16:22,315 --> 00:16:26,953 - Peña appears via video feed a few minutes later. 373 00:16:27,053 --> 00:16:29,755 And he's completely naked. 374 00:16:29,856 --> 00:16:32,058 ♪ ♪ 375 00:16:32,191 --> 00:16:36,596 For 16 seconds, Peña's fully exposed to the courtroom 376 00:16:36,696 --> 00:16:39,632 while he performs a lewd act. 377 00:16:39,699 --> 00:16:41,100 He looks back at an officer 378 00:16:41,234 --> 00:16:43,336 before his video feed is cut off. 379 00:16:43,436 --> 00:16:44,837 ♪ ♪ 380 00:16:44,904 --> 00:16:47,073 The potential jurors were dismissed, 381 00:16:47,206 --> 00:16:50,476 and Peña's video feed was disconnected. 382 00:16:50,543 --> 00:16:52,278 The case eventually went to trial, 383 00:16:52,378 --> 00:16:55,081 where the victim testified, she stopped fighting back 384 00:16:55,181 --> 00:16:57,483 for fear that Peña would kill her. 385 00:16:57,550 --> 00:17:00,186 Later, Peña testified through a translator 386 00:17:00,319 --> 00:17:02,722 that the victim was enamored with him 387 00:17:02,788 --> 00:17:05,558 and that sex between them was consensual. 388 00:17:05,625 --> 00:17:07,793 The jury deliberated for just two hours 389 00:17:07,860 --> 00:17:09,662 before returning with a verdict. 390 00:17:09,795 --> 00:17:11,297 ♪ ♪ 391 00:17:11,430 --> 00:17:13,666 Peña was convicted on all charges 392 00:17:13,799 --> 00:17:17,069 and sentenced to 29 to 39 years in prison. 393 00:17:17,203 --> 00:17:21,641 He'll be eligible for parole in 2051, at age 71. 394 00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:27,647 - You're watching "Court Cam's" top five strangest moments. 395 00:17:27,713 --> 00:17:30,149 And we've made it all the way to number one. 396 00:17:30,283 --> 00:17:32,351 When a couple leave an inspector alone 397 00:17:32,451 --> 00:17:36,155 in their house to work, their nanny cam exposes 398 00:17:36,255 --> 00:17:38,958 an issue they never saw coming. 399 00:17:39,025 --> 00:17:40,927 ♪ ♪ 400 00:17:41,027 --> 00:17:43,763 - Do you recognize this photograph? 401 00:17:43,829 --> 00:17:47,166 - Yes. That would be our son's Tickle Me Elmo doll. 402 00:17:47,266 --> 00:17:50,169 - Next, we head to Oakland County, Michigan, 403 00:17:50,236 --> 00:17:51,837 for a preliminary hearing 404 00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:55,675 for 59-year-old Kevin Wayne VanLuven. 405 00:17:55,808 --> 00:18:00,079 VanLuven has been charged with aggravated indecent exposure 406 00:18:00,146 --> 00:18:03,683 and malicious destruction of property. 407 00:18:03,749 --> 00:18:05,184 A year and a half earlier, 408 00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:07,687 VanLuven was hired as a home inspector 409 00:18:07,787 --> 00:18:10,423 by a young couple selling their home. 410 00:18:10,556 --> 00:18:12,792 The couple left VanLuven alone in the house 411 00:18:12,858 --> 00:18:14,527 with their real estate agent. 412 00:18:14,627 --> 00:18:17,530 And when he got to the nursery, 413 00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:20,800 the inspection took a disturbing turn. 414 00:18:20,866 --> 00:18:22,268 ♪ ♪ 415 00:18:22,401 --> 00:18:24,604 It was all recorded by a nanny cam, 416 00:18:24,670 --> 00:18:28,407 which alerted the homeowners, who quickly called police. 417 00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:32,011 VanLuven was soon arrested and charged. 418 00:18:32,111 --> 00:18:33,479 ♪ ♪ 419 00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:36,816 VanLuven appeared at his preliminary hearing virtually, 420 00:18:36,916 --> 00:18:40,286 where a judge would determine if the case would go to trial. 421 00:18:40,386 --> 00:18:43,923 Also at the hearing was one of the two homeowners. 422 00:18:43,990 --> 00:18:45,925 - He began touching his genital area 423 00:18:46,025 --> 00:18:47,560 when he walked into the bedroom. 424 00:18:47,626 --> 00:18:49,595 ♪ ♪ 425 00:18:49,695 --> 00:18:51,497 - Check out VanLuven's reaction 426 00:18:51,630 --> 00:18:53,432 as she describes the video. 427 00:18:53,499 --> 00:18:55,735 - He began touching his genital area 428 00:18:55,835 --> 00:18:57,403 when he walked into the bedroom, 429 00:18:57,503 --> 00:18:59,505 and I thought that was kind of odd. 430 00:18:59,638 --> 00:19:03,709 And he grabbed our son's Tickle Me Elmo doll 431 00:19:03,843 --> 00:19:06,545 and then proceeded to take it to our son's closet. 432 00:19:06,679 --> 00:19:09,148 And then what it looks like on the video was, 433 00:19:09,281 --> 00:19:11,984 he unzipped his pants and began masturbating 434 00:19:12,118 --> 00:19:14,153 in our son's closet with his Tickle Me Elmo. 435 00:19:14,253 --> 00:19:16,422 ♪ ♪ 436 00:19:16,555 --> 00:19:19,725 - While the video appears to speak for itself, 437 00:19:19,825 --> 00:19:22,928 VanLuven's attorney, Jeff Quas, argued 438 00:19:23,029 --> 00:19:26,966 that because his client's genitals could not be seen, 439 00:19:27,066 --> 00:19:30,236 it's not indecent exposure. 440 00:19:30,369 --> 00:19:33,039 But Judge Nancy Carniak disagreed 441 00:19:33,105 --> 00:19:36,842 and sent the case to a higher court for trial. 442 00:19:36,909 --> 00:19:41,013 The trial lasted just one day before both sides rested 443 00:19:41,113 --> 00:19:43,749 and the jury returned with a verdict. 444 00:19:43,883 --> 00:19:48,087 VanLuven was found not guilty of destruction of property, 445 00:19:48,187 --> 00:19:50,923 but guilty of the more serious charge, 446 00:19:50,990 --> 00:19:53,659 aggravated indecent exposure. 447 00:19:53,793 --> 00:19:56,262 He was sentenced to 19 days in jail, 448 00:19:56,395 --> 00:19:59,065 with credit for 19 days served, 449 00:19:59,198 --> 00:20:02,535 and 18 months' probation. 450 00:20:02,635 --> 00:20:06,672 That wraps up "Court Cam's" top five strangest moments. 451 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:08,040 I'm Dan Abrams. 452 00:20:08,107 --> 00:20:09,108 Thanks for watching. 453 00:20:09,241 --> 00:20:13,879 ♪ ♪