[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
- Let me swear you in.
- I'm granting the motion.
- I want to be on the record.
- They're expected to be models of understanding.
- Come here on vacation, leave here on probation.
- But every so often, even judges reach their limit--
- Excuse me?
- --and lose their cool.
- Stop. Stop.
- From pure outrage--
- Stop talking, because I really
don't see any way to protect the community from you.
- --to snide remarks--
- You're anything but a Boy Scout in this matter.
- --and downright cruel behavior.
- I need to get to the hospital.
- Mr. Carter--
- And I'm asking to be excused.
- I am not going to do that at this time.
- This is "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges."
- --and you'd die in the Department of Correction.
[clock ticking]
- Welcome to this special edition of "Court Cam."
I'm Dan Abrams.
Judges are human.
And sometimes during tense court hearings
they can get pretty angry.
So let's get right into our list of irate judges
with number 5 and a judge who's in no mood to hear excuses
from a young robbery suspect.
First we're in the 67th district court
in Flint, Michigan, for a virtual arraignment hearing.
27-year-old Kylan Dorner has been
charged with unarmed robbery, a felony.
Four days earlier, Dorner,
a student from Illinois studying aviation,
was visiting Flint on vacation.
During a dispute over payment with the front desk
clerk at his hotel, Dorner allegedly
pushed the clerk aside and took $600
in cash out of the register.
Surveillance cameras captured the incident,
and Dorner was arrested.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Today Dorner's before Judge Herman Marable to determine
if he can be released on bond.
Dorner is represented by a public defender,
but he's planning on hiring a private attorney.
- You said he's retaining a lawyer.
Is that right?
You know who you're hiring at this point?
- As soon as I get out of here, that's my first--
my first call I'm making.
I have no other plans but to comply, comply, comply.
- Judge Marable tells Dorner what
bond conditions he'll have to comply, comply,
comply with if released.
- You'd be on a GPS tether if you got out.
- I live in Illinois.
- Well, you can't tether to Illinois.
Do you have anywhere that you'd be living in Genesee County?
- No, I don't.
I went here on vacation.
I have no need or ideas of doing anything funny, though.
Whenever you need me here, whenever you need me for Zoom,
anything, I will be here.
But I live in Illinois.
- When the judge reviews the probable cause affidavit,
Dorner starts to speak out of turn.
- You went behind the counter,
pushed the victim out of the way,
and took $600 from the cash register.
Okay, and this is-- - I didn't--
- --caught on a security cam.
- I didn't take any--
I didn't take the $600.
- I'm sorry.
- So-- so--
- Sorry.
- We got enough people to cause trouble
around here who live here.
So why does this guy-- - I called the police.
- --coming all the way from Illinois to do this?
He has no criminal activity back home.
He acts up when he comes to Michigan.
♪ ♪
Come here on vacation, leave here on probation.
♪ ♪
So I don't know what's going on with this guy.
How's he doing in school?
- I've been flying planes.
I'm trying to become a pilot.
I'm in the aviation program.
- Well, they ain't gonna give him a pilot's
license with a felony.
- I'm aware, sir.
I'm aware.
I made a very big mistake here.
I'm sorry.
- Yep.
- The judge is not convinced that
this pilot-in-training won't take flight back to Illinois.
- I think he's a flight risk, because he's
not from around here.
- I promise--
- And I think there's a public safety--
- --I will come back.
- I don't know.
I don't know.
- Dorner makes another attempt to persuade
the judge to release him.
- I have dogs back home.
I have no one to take care of them.
♪ ♪
- There is a local person doing their job
who allegedly got assaulted by you.
Talking to me about your dogs is just
not doing anything for me.
- I'm not. I'm not trying to--
- Your dogs.
You're concerned about your dogs.
What about this poor woman who was at the hotel?
♪ ♪
- Dorner remained in Genesee County Jail
another week until he was able to post bond.
He later pled guilty to larceny
and was awaiting sentencing.
- Time for our number 4 irate judge.
When an attorney with a family emergency
expects empathy from the judge, he's in for a big surprise.
Next, we go to Dayton, Ohio, for a civil hearing.
42-year-old Selena Saunders has filed a suit
against her employer, the Greater Dayton Regional
Transit Authority, claiming disability
and sexual discrimination.
The disability suit was dismissed,
but the discrimination case is moving forward.
Today Saunders' attorney, Julius Carter,
informs the court that he has a sudden family
emergency, so he's asking to be excused for the day.
- That's fine.
- Ladies and gentlemen, we need to take a break.
- As Carter waits to leave, Judge Mary Kate Huffman
moves on to the next witness.
- All right.
The plaintiff has indicated an intention
to call Ms. Crutcher by way of her videotaped deposition
taken on March the 16th.
There was an objection by Mr. Carter.
What's the basis of that, Mr. Carter?
- I have no idea without looking at the information.
- Well, it's on page 44 of the deposition.
- The judge seems to be focused more on the case
than Carter's personal request.
- I've let the court know I need to get to the hospital.
- Mr. Carter--
- And I'm asking to be excused to do so.
- Mr. Carter, I am not going to do that at this time.
We are going to finish with this witness.
You contacted the bailiff late last week.
You didn't ask for a continuance.
You didn't ask for a phone conference.
Unfortunately, life experiences happen,
and I apologize for those.
But I am concerned about a jury,
and we're in the middle of a trial, so...
- No, Mr. Carter, I am not.
- You must be.
I'm leaving, and I'm going to the hospital.
- You can feel free to do so--
- If you want to continue to play the video, that's fine.
- Sir, you can make your choice--
- --about what you choose to do.
Amy, would you please bring the jury back in?
♪ ♪
- Carter packs up his belongings and heads
for the door.
♪ ♪
Judge Huffman is not happy.
- Well, frankly, if you leave and don't call this witness--
Mr. Carter, I am not playing the video without the witness
being called by counsel.
♪ ♪
Amy, would you go get him and tell him
if he doesn't come back in here,
I am going to grant judgment for the defendant?
I will have no choice.
- Carter did not return to court that day,
and the judge did rule in favor of the defendant.
With her brother by her side, Carter's sister
was taken off life support the following day
and soon after passed away.
As for Saunders' case, Carter filed an appeal,
calling Judge Huffman's decision
to dismiss the case, "Unreasonable, arbitrary,
and unconscionable."
But ultimately, an appeals court agreed
with the judge's decision.
- You're watching "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges."
I'm Dan Abrams.
At number 3, when a man interrupts court
to object to his bond conditions,
a judicial officer quickly and decisively
stops him in his tracks.
- Next, we go to Houston, Texas, for a bond hearing.
48-year-old Brian Burnette has been
charged with invasive visual recording, a felony.
Burnette was living in this townhouse
when his neighbor, whose residence shares a wall
with Burnette's, noticed some holes in her bathroom ceiling,
according to police.
When the woman asked a friend to investigate,
he found a camera wedged into one of the holes
pointing directly into her bathroom.
Inside the camera was an SD card that the friend removed.
He also noticed that the drywall
meant to separate the two attic spaces
had been taken down.
The woman moved out of her condo,
and her landlord called police.
When investigators viewed the contents of the SD card,
they found numerous videos of the woman in her shower.
Burnette was quickly arrested.
- Brian Burnette?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Today Burnette appears before Lisa Potter,
a Harris County hearing officer,
hoping he'll be released on bond.
- Mr. Burnette,
do you consent to allow
the assistant public defender to represent
you at this bond hearing?
- Yes, Your Honor.
- When the hearing officer checks in with both attorneys,
the state requests a bond of $10,000
and asks for no contact with the complainant
or the location, as well as GPS monitoring and a curfew.
The public defender points out that Burnette
has no prior convictions and asks for just $1,000 bond.
Potter considers both sides before making her decision.
- Mr. Burnette, I'm gonna set your bond at $5,000.
I am gonna order as a condition of any bond
you do post that you do not have any contact at all
with [bleep].
I'm gonna order you not to go within 200 feet
of the complainant's residence
or any location where [bleep] lives.
♪ ♪
I know you live at that location.
You may not return there, period.
If you do, your bond can be revoked,
and you can be taken back into custody.
If it is your allegation--
stop talking!
♪ ♪
- Well, then tell the judge in your court that.
And the judge will ask the prosecutor
to call her and confirm that.
But until that happens, you may not go back.
And if you prefer, I can raise your bond,
and you can stay here, because I really don't see any way
to protect the community from you, even with house arrest,
considering this was in your house.
Remove him from the courtroom, please.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Four days later, after posting bond,
Burnette appeared before Judge DaSean Jones
and asked that the restriction of returning to his residence
be removed.
The judge allowed it, despite arguments
from the prosecution, who claimed a new female tenant
was about to move into the alleged victim's condo
and that the holes in the bathroom ceiling
had not yet been repaired.
Burnette has pled not guilty, and his case is pending.
- We're all the way to number 2 now
on "Court Cam's" list of irate judges.
I'm Dan Abrams.
No one likes to be interrupted or talked over,
especially judges.
And the judge in this civil hearing
is no exception, especially when the plaintiff
just won't stop talking.
- Edwards versus Guillera.
- Next, we head to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for a civil hearing.
Attorney Ali Moubarak has filed a motion on behalf
of his clients, Maril and Juan Guillera,
to set aside a default judgment.
The plaintiff, 49-year-old Autumn Edwards,
rented a home from the Guilleras
and is suing them for $6,500, claiming that while she lived
in the house faulty plumbing did damage
to some of her property.
The Guilleras had 21 days to respond,
but they said they didn't believe
the suit was authentic.
So they didn't respond in the required time period,
leading to a default judgment
in favor of the plaintiff.
Judge Kirk Tabbey reviews the defendants'
claims before addressing the default judgment.
- They have described why they weren't
sure it was a real summons.
So they didn't file their answer.
So we give people a little bit of deference
if they don't understand something.
What do you have to say?
- The bottom line is, she was served.
She was very irate while reading it.
It was very legible.
When she got it, she read it all the way to the bottom.
She looked me in my face and said, "I'll just
see you in court" real nasty.
I don't have any reason to lie.
And I believe that this default judgment should stand.
- I looked at it.
There was no lease attached.
I wasn't sure if this was a landlord-tenant issue.
I wasn't sure if this was a damages issue.
It just isn't clear what you're suing for.
So I'm granting the motion to set
aside the default, which means we can
have the dispute discussed.
- Edwards does not agree with the judge's decision.
- I mean, what are we disputing?
You're already ruling in their favor now,
and you're probably gonna do it in the future.
So what's the point?
What is all this for now? - Excuse me?
- You're gonna sit up here and let him lie.
- Excuse me, Ms. Edwards?
What are you talking about?
Are you claiming that I'm-- you don't understand.
- I do understand. - Just wait a minute.
You wait a minute. - [inaudible] 21 days for me.
You'd have threw my case-- - Stop talking!
- Man, get-- - Stop talking.
- And then, without warning, Edwards leaves the call.
- You have to come back with your camera.
We're in a hearing.
If you do not, uh, there you are.
Thank you.
I have made a ruling on a preliminary matter
in this case.
- Yeah, I heard you.
- I don't even understand-- no, first of all,
you can't overtalk me.
- I'm talking to her.
- I will give you a-- no, stop.
I will give you a chance to talk when I--
- I don't got nothing else to say.
- Stop.
- I don't have anything else-- - Stop!
- --to say. - You stop.
- Stop! - I don't have nothing to say.
- Stop! Stop.
You have to stop interrupting and being so absolutely rude
and condescending.
And if you leave, this case is dismissed.
- Edwards steps away and is replaced
by her friend, Nettie Carter.
- Ms. Carter, let her know if she
leaves and doesn't come back on camera,
I'm dismissing the case.
- I will give you a chance to speak,
like I give everybody--
- Dismiss the case-- - --a chance to speak.
- --like you threatened. Dismiss the case [inaudible].
- And you do not interrupt.
All right.
She doesn't want to participate in the case.
- Yeah.
Dismiss the case.
You was gonna do it anyways.
- Yeah.
Now she's making false claims against me.
Mr. Moubarak, she's looking like she's voluntarily
abandoning her case.
Do you move to dismiss?
- Yes, sir. We move to dismiss.
- OK.
Case dismissed.
Please file an order.
- Yes, sir.
- OK.
You're in contempt of court.
- The judge dismissed the case.
And for contempt of court, Edwards was
sentenced to two days in jail.
- We've been watching "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges."
And now it's time for our number 1 story.
When an arsonist with an underage girlfriend
is described by his lawyer as a do-gooder at sentencing,
an outraged judge's anger boils over.
Next, we head to Jackson, Michigan,
for a sentencing, Judge John McBain presiding.
18-year-old Damion Hopkins has pled
guilty to first-degree arson.
Five months earlier, Hopkins set fire
to the home of Charles Penn,
the father of Hopkins' underage girlfriend,
Alexis Penn.
Hopkins claimed he was protecting
Alexis from an abusive father.
The house was completely destroyed,
and Charles suffered first- and second-degree burns.
Alexis's older sister was in the house the day of the blaze
but was unharmed.
Both Hopkins and Alexis were charged
with starting the fire.
Charles, meanwhile, has never been charged
with abusing his daughter.
Hopkins pled guilty to the arson charge in exchange
for having a lying to a peace officer charge
dropped from his case.
The state's suggested sentencing guidelines
are 15 to 30 years in prison.
♪ ♪
Today Hopkins' attorney, Susan Dehncke,
asked the court to consider her client's
positive impact on the community
before handing down his punishment.
- From a young age, he has been someone who,
he has seen himself and others have seen him as someone
who was there to help.
The court has got a copy of the Citizen Patriot Article
where he received a Courage Award.
- The victim, Charles Penn,
has a completely different opinion
of the defendant and of his relationship
with 14-year-old Alexis.
- Damion was a 18-year-old predator, pedophile,
and controller, because he was bitter about Lexi finally
getting her life back together and being with
another boy of her own age.
- Ultimately, deciding Hopkins' sentence
is up to Judge McBain, who lets the defendant
know exactly how he feels.
- You know, you're anything but a Boy Scout in this matter.
You're the one statutorily raping that little girl.
And now you're trying to save her
from her dad that really didn't do anything at all,
except try to be a father.
♪ ♪
Do you understand what you're lucky you're
not here for sentencing for, Mr. Hopkins?
- Yes.
- What's that?
It's called felony murder, which means that somebody had
actually died in that fire, the only sentence
would have been happening here today
is life without the possibility of parole.
And you'd die in the Department of Corrections.
♪ ♪
- Judge McBain adheres to the state's
suggested guidelines and sentences Hopkins
to 15 to 30 years in prison.
He'll be eligible for parole in 2029
when he would be 33 years old.
As for Alexis, because she, too,
was charged with first-degree arson, as per Michigan law,
she was charged as an adult.
She pled guilty by mental illness,
and Judge McBain sentenced the now-15-year-old
to 7 to 20 years in prison.
But 10 months later, she appealed,
and the state gave her a new deal,
which reduced her sentence from 7 to 5 years in prison.
Alexis has since served the minimum of her term
and has been released.
And that does it for "Court Cam's Top 5 Irate Judges."
I'm Dan Abrams.
Thanks for watching.