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[dramatic music]

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♪ ♪

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- Hi, everyone, I'm Dan Abrams,
and this is "Court Cam."

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- You should be ashamed
of yourself.

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- I want dude off my case.
[spits]

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♪ ♪

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- Got a runner.

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[people yelling]

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- Get out!

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- This is not TV court.
This is for real.

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- First up, we head
to Portland, Oregon

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for a sentencing hearing.

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[suspenseful music]

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62-year-old
lawnmower repairman

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Dayton Leroy Rogers

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has been convicted
of aggravated murder.

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♪ ♪

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28 years earlier,
the bodies of seven women

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were discovered in the
Molalla Forest near Portland.

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The victims, all sex workers,
were tortured,

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sexually assaulted,
and stabbed to death.

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[ominous music]

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At the time the bodies
were discovered,

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Rogers had already been
in custody for nine months

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after being charged for a
similar but unrelated murder.

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After he was convicted
and sentenced

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to life in prison
for the first case,

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investigators
discovered similarities

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between the crimes
and charged Rogers

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with the murders of six
of the seven Molalla victims.

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And a year later,
he was found guilty

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of the six Molalla murders,

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but this time, the jury
sentenced Rogers to death.

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- There's only one appropriate
sentence for the defendant,

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and that is a sentence
of death.

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[dramatic music]

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- But three years later,
that sentence was reversed

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when the
U.S. Supreme Court ruled

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that juries be allowed
to consider

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mitigating circumstances
that wouldn't ordinarily

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be admissible in a trial
for potential death sentences.

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That did not happen
at Rogers' sentencing.

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Today, Rogers appears in court
for resentencing.

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And for the victims'
family members,

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the long legal journey
seems to have

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taken its toll emotionally.

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- I don't physically
have it in me

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to say what I would like
to say.

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I just can't do it anymore.
I can't.

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- Before his sentence is read,
the defendant

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makes a statement
to the victims' families.

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[sobbing]

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♪ ♪

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- Despite this new
jury's consideration

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of mitigating circumstances
during deliberations,

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they agreed with
the original jury's decision

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and sentenced Rogers to death.

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But then six years later,

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with Rogers still living
on death row,

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the Oregon state legislature
changed its legal standards

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for capital punishment,

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and Rogers' death sentence was
overturned again.

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A year later, he was
resentenced to life in prison

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with no chance of parole.

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The seventh Molalla Forest
victim

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had been previously identified

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as 18-year-old
Tawnia Johnston.

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But despite Rogers admitting
to her murder,

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prosecutors chose not
to charge him for that crime.

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♪ ♪

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[dramatic music]

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Next, we're in
Wyandotte, Michigan

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for an arraignment.

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♪ ♪

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41-year-old Bradley Hill has

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been charged with possession

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of a controlled substance,

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possession of drug

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paraphernalia,

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disorderly conduct,

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and possession

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of a dangerous weapon.

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♪ ♪

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Today, he appears
from the county jail

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before Judge Elizabeth DiSanto
to hear if he'll make bond.

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He's represented
by attorney Cory Westmoreland.

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- Counsel,
as to the arraignment?

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- Meanwhile Hill,
who appears to be

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holding a blanket
around his waist,

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slides over to a nearby chair.

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- Before we formally
enter a plea of not guilty

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for purposes of
the arraignment,

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schedule this matter
for pretrial September 19

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at 10:30 a.m.

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And counsel, add to that.

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- Your Honor, I would like you
to know that Mr. Hill

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currently resides
in River Rouge.

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He is currently working
as a caregiver for his mother.

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He's not currently
on probation or parole.

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He does not have any
other pending matters

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out of any other jurisdiction
at this time,

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and he has no history
of absconding

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from any honorable court.

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I would just ask
that all that be

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taken into account
when assessing

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a bond on behalf of Mr. Hill.
- OK.

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And so Mr. Hill, do you have
an issue with standing up, sir?

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- Yeah, I'm having an issue
with standing up right now.

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- What's that issue?

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- Oh, I wish I can--

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I don't know.

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[quirky suspenseful music]

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- Do you have a back issue?

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Do you have a leg issue,
a foot issue, or what?

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I'm not quite sure--

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- Uh, I have a leg issue
right now.

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- OK, and so is it broken?

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Is it--
I mean, what's going on?

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- I'll try and stand up.
OK?

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♪ ♪

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- Sir, I'm just
trying to figure out--

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oh, do you not have pants on?

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♪ ♪

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- Oh, OK.
You can sit back down, sir.

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- Hill quickly takes a seat

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as the judge returns
to the matter at hand.

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- Excuse me?

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♪ ♪

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- Sir, because the court has
to determine a bond

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and bond conditions...
- OK.

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- And so given the charges,
sir,

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the court finds that relevant.
- OK.

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OK.
I was just asking.

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[tense notes]

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- So if you were to test,

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what would be detected
in your system?

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- Oh, nothing.

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♪ ♪

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Thank you.

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♪ ♪

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- Hill was released on bond
and has pled not guilty.

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If found guilty
of all charges,

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he could be sentenced
to up to 15 years in prison.

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His case is pending.

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c]

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- Next we, go to Akron, Ohio
for a sentencing hearing.

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31-year-old Tynicka Allen
has pled guilty

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to two counts of
aggravated vehicular homicide

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and two counts
of endangering children.

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♪ ♪

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A year earlier,
Allen was driving

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as part of
a funeral procession

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with her 12-year-old son,
Tymar

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and her six-year-old nephew,
Trevond.

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According to police,
Allen was speeding

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while the boys were
hanging out the window.

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That's when she suddenly
drove against traffic

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and crashed into another car.

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[glass shattering]

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The driver of the other car
was unhurt,

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but Tymar and Trevond were
ejected from the vehicle.

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The funeral procession
came to a halt

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as police arrived
at the scene.

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The two young boys were
taken to a hospital,

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but Tymar died
shortly after arrival.

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Trevond died the next day.

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Allen turned herself in
to police

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and was initially
facing several charges,

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including aggravated
vehicular homicide.

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She was released on
her own recognizance

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and pled not guilty.

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But in exchange for a number
of the lesser charges

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being dropped, Allen
changed her plea to guilty.

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Today, she appears
before Judge Alison Breaux.

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Prosecutor Zach Newman
is asking

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for the maximum sentence
of 16 years in prison.

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- Before wrapping up,
the prosecutor

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reads a letter written
by Trevond's paternal aunt.

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- When he's finished,
the defendant's sister,

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who is also Trevond's
grieving mother, Paris Jones,

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comes to her defense.

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- Ms. Jones, does that
conclude your statement?

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- Ms. Allen?
- Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry.

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- Do you want to make
your statement now?

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- Please.
- Go ahead.

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- Finally, an emotional Allen
delivers her own statement

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directly to her sister.

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- The last person to speak
is Judge Breaux.

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- Ms. Allen,
I think that your grief

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and your remorse is palpable.

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I don't think you intended
to cause this harm,

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but nevertheless,
it still was foreseeable

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because of that behavior.

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And it was reckless
and it's awful.

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It's just--it's just heinous.

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There's an accountability

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that I have to sentence you on,
right?

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Because it is
reckless behavior.

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And I don't want
anyone to think

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that it's OK to act like that,
even on their worst day, right?

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- All right, you're remanded
into custody at this time.

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Thank you.
Good luck.

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♪ ♪

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- The judge sentenced Allen
to four years and nine months

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in prison, but she'll
be eligible for parole

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in six months.

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Her driver's license
will also be suspended

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for three years
following her release.

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- Next, we head
to Ann Arbor, Michigan,

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for a probable cause
conference.

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♪ ♪

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42-year-old Delores Strickland

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has been charged
with domestic violence,

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child abuse,
and resisting arrest.

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♪ ♪

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She was released
on a $5,000 bond,

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ordered to report
to community corrections,

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and have no contact
with the victims,

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her boyfriend
and their daughter.

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But when she failed
to appear at a hearing,

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a bench warrant was issued
for her arrest.

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♪ ♪

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Today, Strickland
appears virtually

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using the name "Rose Bud"

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before Judge Cedric Simpson
to discuss her case.

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The judge has a full docket so
Strickland must wait her turn,

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but she seems to be
making the most of it.

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First, she and her dogs
enjoy some playtime.

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♪ ♪

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Next, she steps outside
for a smoke.

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Then, she goes back inside
and applies some nail polish.

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After more quality time
with the dogs,

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Strickland prepares
what looks to be

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an egg sandwich for lunch...

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♪ ♪

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and when finished, gives
her plate a final lick-down.

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When the court breaks
for its own lunch,

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Strickland remains on the call
and, while muted,

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seems to be belting out
a tune.

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- [inaudible]

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- Strickland is then joined by
a male friend for some TLC.

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♪ ♪

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And although never
disconnecting,

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she eventually
leaves the frame.

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Later, Judge Simpson
is finally ready

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for Strickland's case.

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- Court calls the case People
versus Delores Strickland.

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- Ready, judge.

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- Caitlin Kirby
on behalf of the people.

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- Torchio Feaster,
Assistant Public Defender,

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on behalf of
Ms. Delores Strickland.

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Ms. Strickland, please state
your name for the record.

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[suspenseful music]

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She had been here.

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[chuckles] Talk?

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- Yes, here,
but not in the camera.

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- And, Your Honor,
can we briefly approach?

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- Seriously, yes.

259
00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,022
- After a brief
off-camera discussion,

260
00:14:50,156 --> 00:14:52,024
the parties return
to the call.

261
00:14:52,158 --> 00:14:53,025
- Ms. Kirby.

262
00:14:53,159 --> 00:14:55,862
- Your Honor, during the break

263
00:14:55,995 --> 00:14:59,398
while the court was
taking an hour recess

264
00:14:59,465 --> 00:15:01,000
in between cases,

265
00:15:01,067 --> 00:15:04,904
it appears that
the defendant and the victim

266
00:15:05,037 --> 00:15:10,276
were on screen obviously
violating the no-contact order.

267
00:15:10,343 --> 00:15:11,844
- That's right.

268
00:15:11,911 --> 00:15:15,481
The man seen snuggling
on camera with Strickland

269
00:15:15,581 --> 00:15:19,485
is the alleged victim
in her domestic violence case,

270
00:15:19,585 --> 00:15:22,188
her boyfriend
and father of her child

271
00:15:22,321 --> 00:15:24,857
involved in
the child abuse case.

272
00:15:24,991 --> 00:15:27,727
- Um, they were doing

273
00:15:27,827 --> 00:15:32,231
non-appropriate
courtroom things.

274
00:15:32,298 --> 00:15:36,402
And the people are asking that
the defendant's bond be revoked

275
00:15:36,469 --> 00:15:40,039
and she report to the jail
by this evening.

276
00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:41,240
If not, I would ask for

277
00:15:41,340 --> 00:15:43,843
an immediate bench warrant
to go out.

278
00:15:43,910 --> 00:15:45,878
- All right.

279
00:15:45,945 --> 00:15:50,750
Ms. Strickland,
can you come to the screen?

280
00:16:10,903 --> 00:16:13,573
In this case,
I did witness them together,

281
00:16:13,673 --> 00:16:14,841
which would be a violation

282
00:16:14,941 --> 00:16:17,643
or an additional violation
of her bond.

283
00:16:17,710 --> 00:16:19,278
So I will lead
the bench warrant out.

284
00:16:19,345 --> 00:16:21,547
I'm not going
to set a new date.

285
00:16:21,681 --> 00:16:23,115
I think we know where she is,

286
00:16:23,249 --> 00:16:27,353
so we can potentially
send somebody to get her.

287
00:16:27,420 --> 00:16:28,721
All right, thank you.

288
00:16:28,788 --> 00:16:30,990
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Judge.

289
00:16:31,457 --> 00:16:34,427
- The warrant for Strickland's
arrest remains active.

290
00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:36,462
If she's found guilty
of all charges,

291
00:16:36,596 --> 00:16:39,765
she could be sentenced
to up to four years in prison.

292
00:16:39,866 --> 00:16:45,838
Her case is pending.

293
00:16:45,938 --> 00:16:47,907
- Next, we head
to San Antonio, Texas

294
00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,009
for a sentencing hearing.

295
00:16:50,076 --> 00:16:52,078
♪ ♪

296
00:16:52,178 --> 00:16:56,916
23-year-old Sasha Skare
has been convicted of murder.

297
00:16:57,049 --> 00:16:59,352
♪ ♪

298
00:16:59,452 --> 00:17:02,021
2 1/2 years earlier
according to police reports,

299
00:17:02,154 --> 00:17:03,689
Skare got into an argument

300
00:17:03,789 --> 00:17:06,192
at the home of her boyfriend
of six months,

301
00:17:06,259 --> 00:17:08,528
34-year-old Martell Derouen,

302
00:17:08,628 --> 00:17:13,633
a hip-hop artist and cousin of
pop superstar Beyonce Knowles.

303
00:17:13,733 --> 00:17:17,136
Police say Skare was outside
the apartment with a gun.

304
00:17:17,236 --> 00:17:19,505
She fired one round
through the front door,

305
00:17:19,639 --> 00:17:22,842
hitting Martell in the head.

306
00:17:22,942 --> 00:17:25,611
Skare fled the scene
and four days later,

307
00:17:25,711 --> 00:17:27,246
police say she called them

308
00:17:27,313 --> 00:17:30,016
claiming to be
Martell's estranged wife

309
00:17:30,116 --> 00:17:33,486
and asked them
to do a welfare check.

310
00:17:33,586 --> 00:17:34,954
They arrived.

311
00:17:35,054 --> 00:17:39,191
Officers found Martell dead
inside the apartment.

312
00:17:39,258 --> 00:17:41,661
And with the help
of security footage,

313
00:17:41,794 --> 00:17:44,330
they were able to place Skare
at Martell's apartment

314
00:17:44,430 --> 00:17:48,000
at the time of the shooting
holding a gun.

315
00:17:48,067 --> 00:17:49,635
Skare told investigators

316
00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:51,804
she didn't intend
to shoot Martell

317
00:17:51,871 --> 00:17:54,874
and that she was just
trying to get his attention.

318
00:17:55,007 --> 00:17:58,244
She was arrested
and charged with murder.

319
00:17:58,311 --> 00:18:00,079
The state offered her a deal

320
00:18:00,146 --> 00:18:05,551
that would have required
she served 20 years in prison.

321
00:18:05,618 --> 00:18:08,821
Skare rejected the offer
and the case went to trial

322
00:18:08,955 --> 00:18:10,389
where, if found guilty,

323
00:18:10,523 --> 00:18:13,793
she'd be facing a maximum
sentence of life in prison.

324
00:18:13,859 --> 00:18:15,761
When both sides came to rest,

325
00:18:15,828 --> 00:18:17,730
it took the jury
just two hours

326
00:18:17,830 --> 00:18:19,098
to return with a verdict.

327
00:18:19,231 --> 00:18:22,134
- State of Texas
versus Sasha Skare,

328
00:18:22,234 --> 00:18:25,638
we the jury find the defendant
Sasha Skare guilty.

329
00:18:25,705 --> 00:18:29,041
[dramatic music]

330
00:18:29,108 --> 00:18:32,011
- The punishment phase began
later that afternoon

331
00:18:32,111 --> 00:18:34,747
as the state called
in three witnesses,

332
00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,150
including Martell's mother,
Melissa Ann Davis.

333
00:18:43,923 --> 00:18:46,859
- [sobs and sniffles]

334
00:18:46,993 --> 00:18:51,197
Well, I can't.
Every day, it's very hard.

335
00:18:51,263 --> 00:18:55,634
I haven't slept
in a very long time.

336
00:18:55,768 --> 00:18:58,004
It's just--as a mother,

337
00:18:58,070 --> 00:19:03,409
to lose a son and to lose him
that way, it's just--

338
00:19:03,476 --> 00:19:04,610
it's unimaginable.

339
00:19:04,710 --> 00:19:08,114
And I wouldn't wish that
on anybody, nobody ever.

340
00:19:08,247 --> 00:19:11,317
♪ ♪

341
00:19:11,417 --> 00:19:15,588
- The next day, Skare returns
to court for sentencing.

342
00:19:15,721 --> 00:19:17,790
But first,
the victim's sister,

343
00:19:17,923 --> 00:19:19,358
Carrie Derouen,

344
00:19:19,425 --> 00:19:22,795
has some pointed words
for the now-convicted killer.

345
00:19:22,895 --> 00:19:26,565
- Sasha, the pain and agony
that you've brought

346
00:19:26,666 --> 00:19:28,668
upon my family is unbearable.

347
00:19:28,801 --> 00:19:31,237
You deserve every
single consequence

348
00:19:31,370 --> 00:19:33,472
that you've caused
from your own actions.

349
00:19:33,606 --> 00:19:35,641
[tense music]

350
00:19:35,741 --> 00:19:37,476
Look at what you've done.

351
00:19:37,610 --> 00:19:39,311
You've gathered
everyone together

352
00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:42,048
of your own selfishness.

353
00:19:42,114 --> 00:19:44,083
just to get viewed
as the person

354
00:19:44,183 --> 00:19:46,886
you truly and exactly are.

355
00:19:46,986 --> 00:19:50,289
How does it feel?
You deserve this.

356
00:19:50,389 --> 00:19:52,825
Your time is up,
and the time has come for you

357
00:19:52,958 --> 00:19:54,794
to pay for what you've done.

358
00:19:54,860 --> 00:19:58,431
So fix your sheets,
if you have any,

359
00:19:58,497 --> 00:20:01,634
because you've made your bed
and now it's time to lay in it.

360
00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:05,071
♪ ♪

361
00:20:05,204 --> 00:20:08,808
- Skare was sentenced
to 55 years in a state prison.

362
00:20:08,874 --> 00:20:11,710
She'll be eligible for parole
in 2048

363
00:20:11,844 --> 00:20:14,046
when she'd be 48 years old.

364
00:20:14,113 --> 00:20:15,948
♪ ♪

365
00:20:16,082 --> 00:20:18,284
That's it for this edition
of "Court Cam."

366
00:20:18,384 --> 00:20:20,953
I'm Dan Abrams.
Thanks for watching.