That video shows me in the worst possible light,
on my worst possible day.
And that's not who I am.
NARRATOR: We go to Jacksonville, Florida,
for a sentencing conducted over Zoom.
The defendant, Debra Jo Hunter, has pled no contest
to misdemeanor assault. Eight months earlier,
Hunter was at a store with her young children
when she began arguing with management about an item
she wanted to return.
Things escalated for several minutes
until a bystander, Heather Sprague,
began recording the incident with her cell phone.
It was early in the COVID pandemic,
and Sprague was wearing a protective mask.
Hunter was not.
And when she realized she was being recorded,
she was not happy.
Do you really need this?
What do you want to do, post it for you?
How about that?
I think I'll get real close to you and cough on you then.
How's that?
NARRATOR: Hunter coughed directly in Sprague's face.
Let's go.
NARRATOR: What Hunter didn't realize
is that Sprague is a recent cancer survivor.
Knowing her immune system was compromised,
Sprague quickly got tested for COVID.
The results were negative.
She reported the incident to police,
and Hunter was charged with assault.
Now, Hunter appears virtually before Judge James Ruth
to learn her punishment.
She's facing a maximum sentence of 60 days in jail.
When given a chance to speak, Hunter apologizes to Sprague,
but mostly focuses on the fallout
from the incident and the impact it's
had on her and her own family.
I'm aware that my shame and regret will
follow me the rest of my life.
The reality is that my family has been permanently scarred.
This incident occurred over eight months ago,
but my children just still continue
to suffer the indignities that were caused by what I did.
I think they're continually embarrassed.
They're continually chastised and mocked.
Each of my three children have lost nearly every friend
that they've had because of me.
They used to go to our community pool with their friends,
now they're not invited.
We no longer take our family bike
rides around the neighborhood.
And it's clear that the majority of our neighbors
no longer wish to associate with us
on even the smallest of levels.
I think the hardest part of this is
that that video shows me in the worst possible light
on my worst possible day.
And that's not who I am.
And if I could take it all back, I obviously
would take it all back.
Everything just kept piling on and piling on and piling on.
And I just kept trying to push it down.
Unfortunately for Ms. Sprague, you know,
she was the recipient of that.
And for that I apologize.
NARRATOR: Before Judge Ruth makes his ruling,
the victim asks to make a statement.
The defendant's act of coughing in my face
at the height of a pandemic was an act
that was calculated to attack me at my weakest point,
physically and psychologically.
I was stunned in the moment, and increasingly
fearful in the aftermath.
Did you feel any saliva or anything?
It was a forceful enough cough that her spittle landed on me.
I worried for the health and safety of my family.
I scrambled to find COVID testing that was not readily
accessible at that time.
And ultimately, I paid out of pocket to be tested.
That was not the knee jerk reaction
of an overprotective mama bear.
It was an episode that was rooted
in privilege and entitlement, with an immunity
to consequences.
I felt strongly at the time, and I continue to feel strongly
today, that there should be some accountability for the actions
of the defendant.
NARRATOR: Next, it's the judge who
has a few words about what he did and did
not hear from the defendant.
What concerns me, she talked about what impact
it had on her children and her family.
But I haven't heard about the potentially deadly impact this
could have had on the victim.
So I will adjudicate you guilty, place
you om 6 months probation, also anger management and 30 days
Duval County Jail with credit for one day.
NARRATOR: In addition to the sentence of 30 days in jail,
with one day served, Hunter must also pay a $500 fine
and reimburse Sprague $150 for the out-of-pocket COVID test
expense.
Next, we go to a virtual hearing in Tampa, Florida.
The defendant is 33-year-old BJ Dreggers.
He's been charged with fraud and petty theft
for trying to pass bad checks.
Today, he appears remotely before Judge Michael Williams
to enter a plea.
The state initially offered a deal
where Dreggers would plead guilty and get sentenced
to 18 months probation.
If he decides to go to trial and is convicted,
the former Marine could be looking at 5 years behind bars.
BJ Dreggers.
Yes, sir.
Good morning, Your Honor.
Good morning.
Last time we were in court, you were
shooting up drugs on my Zoom.
NARRATOR: That's right.
Three months earlier, while waiting
for his preliminary hearing to begin,
Dreggers engaged in some illegal drug use.
Judge Williams didn't watch it live,
but a prosecutor did and shared it with the court.
And the judge isn't happy about it.
Yes, sir, I apologize to yourself and the court
for that, sir.
That only goes so far.
Yes, sir.
It's bad enough I got to put up with people smoking
cigarettes and everything else.
I don't need that.
No, sir.
I don't know.
What's your resolution on him?
NARRATOR: Dreggers' attorney, David Hall,
steps in to do some damage control.
In my conversations with him, he's
been entirely professional, respectful,
remorseful about his actions.
I instructed him to appear in person
on 6/04/21 and he didn't.
And then he shows back up on Zoom on June 15.
And that's when he's shooting up on the Zoom.
NARRATOR: Despite the judge's remarks,
Paul requests the court stick with the original deal
of probation.
But for Judge Williams, it's not that simple.
18 months of probation--
if he wants to resolve to the court,
I'll do it today for 180 days plus 18 months.
I'm not taking probation today and he gets out.
I think I'm usually pretty relaxed on certain things.
But you shoot up on my Zoom, that's different.
Mr. Dreggers, the court is rejecting the plea agreement
with the state, proposing 180 days in custody followed
by 18 months probation.
Is that something you want to do?
The alternative would be to set it for trial.
NARRATOR: Dreggers doesn't love either of the choices,
so he makes his own request.
Is there a way to have stricter probation or something
of those guidelines?
No.
NARRATOR: Dreggers is given a month
to discuss things with his attorney
on how he wants to plead.
All right, Mr. Dreggers, come on up.
NARRATOR: Once again, he appears before Judge Williams, who,
after doing some of his own reflecting,
has a new outlook on the case.
Mr. Dreggers, I've been thinking about your case.
You're a veteran, correct?
Yes, sir, I am.
What branch?
Marine Corps.
There's once-a-year docket that I do.
It's called the Veterans outreach Corps.
Yes, sir.
So what I'm proposing is we set you on that veterans
outreach court docket.
Thank you, Your Honor.
NARRATOR: Dreggers appeared on the veteran's docket.
The judge gave him a second chance.
He's released and given 18 months
probation, plus mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Just work on getting clean and moving forward.
Let's have a good ending to a bad situation, OK?
Judge, I appreciate everything you've done for me, sir.
You get clean, I'm happy.
NARRATOR: Dreggers is currently employed and taking
steps to remain drug-free.
Next up, we head to a traffic court proceeding
in Sacramento, California.
The court clerk is waiting on the defendant, Scott Green,
who's appearing today for speeding
and license tag violations.
There he is.
Hello? COURT CLERK: Hello.
Mr. Green?
Yes.
NARRATOR: Yes, Defendant Green is also Dr.
Scott Green, a plastic surgeon.
Hi.
Are you available for trial?
It kind of looks like you're in an operating room right now.
I am, sir.
I'm in an operating room.
Yes, I'm available for trial. Go right ahead.
OK.
Let me just briefly advise you that the proceedings
right now, they are being livestreamed on YouTube.
That's because traffic trials are required by law
to be open to the public.
Since we're limiting physical access to the courtroom
right now, that's how we're making them open to the public,
OK? - OK.
NARRATOR: Streaming or not, Dr. Green is ready to go.
The good doctor is sworn in and continues
to multitask as he waits for court commissioner Gary Link
to get things started.
So can everybody hear me?
Yes, sir.
Yes.
Officer Monroe, Mr. Green?
So unless I'm mistaken, I'm seeing a defendant that's
in the middle of an operating room,
appearing to be actively engaged in providing
services to a patient.
Is that correct, Mr. Green?
Yes, sir.
Commissioner Link seems a bit concerned
about Dr. Green's setting and his ability
to continue the hearing while performing
a facelift on a patient.
I do not feel comfortable for the welfare of a patient,
if you're in the process of operating,
that I would put on a trial, notwithstanding the fact
that the officer's here today.
I have another surgeon right here who's
doing the surgery with me.
So I can stand here and allow them to do the surgery also.
Not at all.
I don't think so.
I don't think that's appropriate.
I think we're going to have--
I'm going to come up with a different date
when you're not actively involved
or participating in attending to the needs of a patient.
NARRATOR: It looks like Dr. Green's plan isn't going
over so well with the court.
I apologize, Your Honor, to the court.
Sometimes, surgery doesn't always go
as efficiently as [inaudible].
You know, it happens.
We want to keep people healthy.
We want to keep them alive.
That's important.
Thank you.
OK, you're both free to go now.
NARRATOR: Although the Zoom received plenty of attention
from the media, the original court business was resolved.
Dr. Green paid his fines just a few days later.
For our next story, we go to a bond
hearing taking place via Zoom in Florida's Broward County.
Like so many workplaces affected by COVID-19,
the parties are forced to communicate virtually.
Mr. Mitchell, good morning.
Are you able to hear me all right?
NARRATOR: Today, the defendant is Henry Mitchell.
He's charged with grand theft.
Mitchell allegedly stole over $4,000 from a local restaurant.
He's hoping to be released on bond of $1,000.
The judge is Corey Amanda Cawthon.
There's Mitchell up in the top corner.
And we've got attorney Eric Linder who
represents the state, and assistant public defender,
Dale Miller. - All right.
Mr. Mitchell, you're before the court
this morning on one charge of grand theft.
I do find probable cause.
And I will first hear from the attorneys
with their recommendations.
Mr. Linder?
Judge, I'm recommending a $5,000 bond and no return.
While I see no priors, I do believe
this is obviously not your run of the mill grand theft.
Mr. Miller, excuse me, but your microphone is on.
And if we have one more outburst like that,
we're going to be having a very serious discussion
with your supervisor.
I would expect that you would apologize to Mr. Linder
right now.
NARRATOR: As Linder recommends a $5,000 fine,
Miller turns his camera off--
but not his microphone-- and expresses his true feelings.
This is obviously not your run of the mill grand theft.
NARRATOR: Miller's language gets some stunned reactions,
specifically from the family of the defendant,
and from Linder himself.
Mr. Miller, excuse me.
But your microphone is on.
I would expect that you would apologize to Mr. Linder
right now.
NARRATOR: After a brief pause, Miller
offers an apology sort of.
COREY AMANDA CAWTHON: Turn the microphone on.
DALE MILLER: I apologize that my microphone was on, Judge.
[scoffs] You know, he should be sanctioned.
We'll be having a discussion with Mr. Goldberg
after the session today.
Mr. Linder, let's continue with Mr. Mitchell's case.
Your Honor, as I was saying, this is not your run
of the mill grand theft.
The strength of the evidence against Mr. Mitchell
is abundantly strong, including but not
limited to his confession.
NARRATOR: Linder still seems agitated by the attorney's
outburst, but forges ahead.
Your Honor, he plotted with his co-arrestee, well in advance,
to not only steal over $4,000 from this business,
but to set it up to make it look like there
was an armed robbery.
Your Honor, I would also note, by his own admission,
he stole over $2,000 in cash from the safe
from the business.
And the cash has not been recovered.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
NARRATOR: Finally, the judge is ready to make her decision.
In Mr. Mitchell's case, the monetary bond
is going to be set at $3,000.
And there will be an order of no return.
Mr. Mitchell, that simply means you're
not to go to that location for any reason.
Do you understand that, sir?
- Yes, ma'am. - OK.
Thank you and good luck to you as well.
[sighs].
NARRATOR: Next, we're in Grand Rapids,
Michigan for a video court hearing.
The defendant, identified as Vaughn Foote,
was charged with drunk driving and is about to be arraigned.
NARRATOR: That is, if he and the judge
can work out some technical difficulties.
Can you hear me, sir?
We cannot hear you.
NARRATOR: After some awkward silence and blank stares,
Judge Sara Smolinski offers up some tech support.
I don't know if you can hear us,
but you have to unmute yourself.
There's a microphone-like device with a red line through it.
You have to click on it.
NARRATOR: Solid advice.
Should do the trick.
And then, nothing.
With technology failing her, the judge decides to go old school
and presents the defendant with a handwritten note.
But when the defendant still doesn't respond,
Judge Smolinski tries to open another line of communication.
To help sell the request, she even
plays charades from the bench.
NARRATOR: Perhaps the swinging of the phone
is the judge's way of saying, tick tock,
as the silence is approaching six minutes.
Finally, it appears something gets through to the defendant.
And he stands up and walks away.
NARRATOR: In the background, a good boy makes a quick cameo.
NARRATOR: Eventually, the defendant
returns with his phone number written on a piece of paper--
[phone ringing]
--and Judge Smolinski makes the call.
VAUGHN FOOTE: Hello?
OK, Mr. Foote.
Finally we can talk.
NARRATOR: After connecting by phone,
Vaughn Foote pleaded guilty to operating with a blood alcohol
level of 0.17 or higher.
He was sentenced to two days in jail,
with credit for two days time served and one year probation.