NARRATOR: Next, we're in Las Vegas,
Nevada for a bond revocation hearing for a defendant accused
of violating his parole.
A year earlier, 35-year-old Michael McDonald
was released on bond while he awaited
trial for charges including burglary, forgery, and perjury.
The criminal charges stem from a long and contentious divorce
and custody case that ended with his ex-wife being granted
a no-contact order to keep McDonald away from her
and their two children.
Now, as he awaits trial on criminal charges,
the state argues he violated his parole when he
violated that no-contact order.
NARRATOR: The items mentioned were actually gifts
addressed to his children.
McDonald's lawyer claims his client didn't know sending
the items violated the no-contact order
and argues he should be allowed to remain out on bond
until his upcoming trial.
LAWYER: He sent two gifts.
That's it.
No nasty notes with them.
Mr. McDonald is not violent or a threat to the community.
He has had no allegations of violence.
NARRATOR: The defense is presenting McDonald's
actions as an innocent mistake.
But Judge Kathy Hardcastle knows the history of the case
and isn't buying it.
NARRATOR: The judge also cites McDonald's history
of unstable behavior during his divorce
that ultimately led to the no-contact order being granted.
JUDGE: I was the one who found that he was a potential danger
to his children because he lied to the court
about surrendering his weapons after he'd been ordered
to surrender his weapons, and that because
of his bizarre behavior-- putting a tracking
device on his wife's vehicle.
And so I'm seeing the same type of conduct,
and it's an obsession.
It's a escalating course.
I'm not sure that he is capable of controlling himself
because he wasn't before.
So based upon that, I am granting the motion.
NARRATOR: Moments after the judge makes her decision
that McDonald did indeed violate the conditions
of his parole, two court marshals approach
McDonald with handcuffs.
Put your hands behind you back.
Put your hands behind your back!
NARRATOR: It's unclear what McDonald
is trying to say to the judge as he pulls his arms away.
What is clear is that McDonald is not ready to cooperate.
Stop!
Mike, calm down.
[inaudible]
Mike, calm down.
Relax.
Take a breath.
It does--
Mike, take a breath.
Mike, calm down.
Take a deep breath.
Assistance in 15-Charlie.
15-Charlie.
Stop, stop.
Come on.
I don't want--
You got it?
Please.
NARRATOR: As you can hear, MacDonald's attorney calmly
tries to get him to settle down.
Mike, stop fighting with them.
They're gonna put those cuffs on you.
Don't fight them.
You understand?
I'm gonna tase you.
NARRATOR: But as he continues to resist,
even with the threat of being tased, his lawyer's had enough.
NARRATOR: As additional officers come to restrain McDonald,
he continues to plead his case.
I just want to see my kids, and now, I'm getting prosecuted
as an enemy of the state.
I just-- I've done nothing.
NARRATOR: Michael McDonald was found guilty of multiple counts
of burglary, forgery, and perjury in relation
to his divorce case and was sentenced
to 24 to 68 months in Nevada State Prison with credit
for 215 days served.
And for refusing to be handcuffed during the hearing,
McDonald picked up an additional charge of resisting an officer.