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Competency to Stand Trial · Acedra
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0:01
- First up, we're in Las Vegas, Nevada, where 27-year-old Jimmy Carter Kim is in court to determine his competency to stand trial. ♪ ♪ Kim pleaded not guilty to 83 felony charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault, battery, and lewdness with a child. ♪ ♪ The charges stem from two different incidents in which he allegedly drugged, kidnapped, and raped two underage teenage girls he held captive in his bedroom.
0:32
- Pardon me? - Can I have a say in this? - Well, I tried to give you a say, but you refused to talk to the doctor. - No, I spoke with the doctor-- - No, there was a second doctor, Dr. [indistinct], you refused to speak to. ♪ ♪ - Under Nevada law, a defendant must undergo two independent psychological evaluations before a judge can make a ruling on competency. ♪ ♪ In Kim's first evaluation, he was found incompetent, but he refused to speak to a second doctor.
0:59
- Mr. Kim, pursuant to Nevada law, in arrest 178.425--415, excuse me,
1:14
- 'Cause your lawyer challen--your lawyer challenged your competency or questioned it. I appreciate that you don't agree with Nevada law. I apologize that you don't agree with it. It doesn't really matter whether you agree with it or not. - What so far has been a respectful dialogue between judge and defendant is about to take a strange turn.
1:55
- If only "fetching" were the standard. I'm not gonna argue with you. - In the meantime, you're going to Lakes for time. Thank you. - As officers escort Kim out of the courtroom, the Las Vegas local drops some choice British phrases.
2:14
♪ ♪ - State versus [indistinct].
2:20
- After undergoing a second psychological evaluation, Kim is found competent. He entered a not guilty plea and is set to go to trial.
2:33
Next we're in Ann Arbor, Michigan for a plea hearing. 39-year-old Suzanna Williams is pleading guilty to third-degree retail fraud. Three months earlier, Williams, who has a criminal history, including possession of illegal substances, was in a supermarket when she ate some donuts without paying for them. She was arrested and originally charged with second-degree retail fraud. But when Williams failed to appear at her arraignment, a warrant was issued.
3:05
When Williams finally did appear in court, she was given a bond of $1,000 but was unable to pay, so she's been in custody for 93 days. Today Williams appears before Judge Cedric Simpson to enter her plea. She's represented by Attorney Ron Brown, who has a long history of hearing before Judge Simpson. - Your Honor, we're trying to resolve this case. I believe her jail credit is 93 days on this offense. So she would be seeking a credit for time served sentence with release.
3:39
I believe the donuts that she stole and ate would be the basis for the restitution. If the court were to order-- - So there is restitution. - What's a restitution, sir? - You got to pay for the donuts you ate. - Oh, OK. - Cole, do we know the amount of restitution? - I'm just double checking, Your Honor. - They weren't Dunkin' Donuts. - Right. - They were packaged donuts. Dunkin' are fancy. You know, you can get the ones with the sprinkles-- - You want to know what?
4:12
- And the nuts and the powdered sugar. - You know what? - They weren't those. - You know, Mr. Brown-- - They were just, they were made to the package. - When they told me you were going to be here, I almost stayed home. ♪ ♪ - For me? - Judge Simpson. - I like donuts. I should have brought you some. They go good with your coffee. - Meanwhile, the prosecution returns with the restitution fee. - $4.68. - That must have been some pretty good donuts. - They weren't that good. Were they stale?
4:48
- Yeah, I think so. - They were a little stale. - $4.68? - Yes, Your Honor. - You've been in since the time of the arraignment, is that correct? - For 93 days, yes, Your Honor. - The court will accept the defendant's plea. Fines of the court fines and costs of $250 or 93 days on this case. Credit 93 served. I will also order restitution in the amount of $4.68. - Including additional court costs of $50, Williams still owes the court a total of $304.68.
5:26
But she's free to go, and the case is closed.
5:32
- I am the living man whose mark is that of life. [soft dramatic music] - Next we're at the Gallatin County Courthouse in Bozeman, Montana. - The defendant, Ernie Wayne Tertelgte, is not represented by council here today. - 52-year-old Ernie Tertelgte is charged with obstructing a peace officer and restricting arrest after he was caught fishing without a license. The hearing is just underway. - Mr. Tertelgte has been charged with two misdemeanor offenses, which we'll be trying today.
6:04
- I must object. I am not the name that he is referring to. I am the living man. The name that Mr. Riley refers to, ma'am, is held by the state in all capital letters and is identified by the state on the state's driver's license, ma'am. I am not the all capital fiction. I am the living man whose mark is that of life. - Tertelgte is representing himself today as the natural, living man. It's his own interpretation of a sovereign citizen. ♪ ♪
6:41
- Who can tell the living man... - In a commercial event such as this... - Who has the right to tell the living man... - When he can speak and when he cannot speak, what sounds he can make, and what sounds he cannot make?
6:56
- He is addressing British law, ma'am. He is a minister on behalf of Great "Brit-ayn." - Great "Brit-ayn"? It seems this living man takes issue with the traditional British title of esquire being used in an American courtroom.
7:13
- Ma'am, why-- please give me an honorable answer-- is a British recognized esquire asking questions in an American courtroom? Why is title of nobility applied behind this gentleman's name that is recognized as being banned from our country in the 1789 constitution? Is nobody going to stand for our constitution? - Tertelgte may not believe in courtroom formalities, but he does believe in interrupting, and Judge Wanda Drush has had enough.
7:51
- I cannot give you recognition. - Well-- - Please stand up. - Stand up. Stand up. - No, pick me up. I cannot give you recognition. I'm constrained by the United States Constitution of 1789. [soft dramatic music] - Before he's escorted out, Tertelgte hurls a Yankee Doodle dandy of an insult at the prosecuting attorney. - Sir, you are a Bozeman native. What are you doing packing a British recognition? Should be ashamed of yourself. - Banned from participating,
8:22
Tertelgte can only watch the courtroom remotely as his case is finally able to continue. The jury would eventually find him guilty, and although jail time is waved, he's ordered to pay more than $400 in fines. ♪ ♪ - Would one of you remove my bolo tie and return it to somebody in the crowd please?
8:44
[dramatic music] - Next, we're in Beaumont, Texas, for a hearing. ♪ ♪ 31-year-old Arthur Washington has been charged with third-degree assault on a family or household member. Seven months earlier, Washington allegedly struck the mother of his children. He was arrested and released on $20,000 bond. And this was not Washington's first assault charge. Seven years earlier, he was convicted of a similar crime against the same victim. Today, Washington appears without a lawyer
9:21
before Judge John Stevens to discuss next steps in the case. - You are charged here with a third-degree felony assault family violence, which carries with it up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Are you getting a lawyer? - Yes. - Who? - I don't know. - So you don't have a lawyer yet?
9:45
- You're on quarantine? For what? - Tuberculosis. ♪ ♪ - So why the hell are you here in court if you're in quarantine for tuberculosis? - I was supposed to come to court. ♪ ♪ - What did your doctor say about this?
10:02
- What does that mean to you?
10:06
- But you're here, so you disobeyed your doctor's orders. Why don't you even have a mask if you've got tuberculosis, sir? Sit over there. Sit over there, right over there. You're in quarantine. You're in quarantine. Over there. That's terrible. You don't have any common sense to do better than that? - After placing Washington in the jury box, Judge Stevens moves on to his case. - This case involves [bleep]. Who is that? - That's the mother of my children.
10:41
- You know you can't have any contact with her? - Yeah. - Do you have a GPS device? - Yes. - On you? Let me see it. ♪ ♪ - My phone? This the only thing that got GPS on it. - That's not--no, no. It's supposed to be attached to you. - Oh, no. I don't have that. - Yeah, you do. That's ordered. And I just ordered it. - Oh, OK, right now on me. - When the court orders-- like it orders in every case like this, a GPS device, you have to have it on your person, so we know where you are at all times.
11:17
You have 48 hours to do that. ♪ ♪ And I want to see a receipt of it, or else I'll issue a warrant for your arrest. You understand? - Yes. - As ordered, Washington purchased a GPS tether, and he remains free on bond. His case is pending.
11:38
[soft dramatic music] - Next, we head to Atlanta, Georgia for an arraignment. ♪ ♪ Rodney Thomas has been charged with criminal trespass. ♪ ♪ A day earlier, Thomas, who has previous convictions for aggravated assault, battery, and drug possession was arrested for urinating in public at a MARTA train station. ♪ ♪ Today, he appears before Judge Jessy Lall to hear if he'll be offered bond. The state is represented by Ginta Bickerstaff,
12:11
who's recommending a $3,000 signature bond through pretrial services. Jae Kim, the public defender agrees with the bond but prefers that it goes through a jail diversion program called PADD where community workers help people who have been arrested avoid incarceration. Bickerstaff strongly disagrees with that option. - Your Honor, the state's recommendation to have his bond through pretrial seems more reasonable considering that this defendant
12:41
just pled guilty to a battery charge, and he's currently on probation for that case a well. - Okay. Bond is set at $3,000. It's gonna be a signature bond through the jail. ♪ ♪ - Judge Lall rules to allow Thomas to stick with the PADD program, and the hearing is essentially over, but it looks like Thomas wants to say something. - Mr. Thomas. - Yes, ma'am. - Why are you putting your hand up? Do you have something to tell me? - Yes, ma'am. - Please do not say anything.
13:12
You got the best signature bond through the jail. Please, you have nothing to say. - Despite his attorney's advice, Thomas seems determined to make a statement. - I just wanted to say that I am not on probation. That case was closed. - Okay, you don't have to talk about anything else. - Mr. Thomas, you have 77 arrest cycles. ♪ ♪ Do you think I really care whether you're on probation or not? - No, ma'am. - Then why would you mention it? - Just--
13:46
- The only reason I'm granting a signature bond is because it's being recommended by the prosecutor, but I was looking at a $5,000 bond 'cause apparently you do not know how to use a bathroom. ♪ ♪ Do you understand, sir?
14:01
- Very good. You are to stay 200 yards away from each and every MARTA station or property, including their sidewalks and their parking lots. Do you understand? - Thank you, ma'am. I do. - And if you need to answer nature's call, do you know what that means? - Yes, ma'am. - You are to use a proper public restroom or the privacy of your own restroom. You are not to exhibit yourself in any kind of public way in order to relieve yourself. Otherwise, the state is completely--
14:32
it has its right to charge you with public indecency. Do you understand, sir? - Yes, ma'am, I do. - All right, I can't believe I'm telling a grown man how to use a bathroom. ♪ ♪ This is all shame on you. - Yes, ma'am. - Thank you. ♪ ♪ - Thomas was released on bond but must continue his diversion program until his next court date. His case is pending. ♪ ♪
14:58
[dramatic music] - Next we're in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for a plea hearing. 24-year-old Joshua Sawyer has been charged with aggravated stalking, assault, unlawful imprisonment, two counts of aggravated domestic violence, and other charges. Two months earlier, Sawyer allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend two separate times. He was arrested and held without bond. Today he appears from the county jail before Judge Arianne Slay. He's represented by attorney Jinan Hamood.
15:36
- How are we proceeding today? - Your Honor, at this time we met with you in chambers prior to today and I submitted a Cobbs request on behalf of Mr. Sawyer. You have indicated that you would not be inclined to commit to the Cobbs request, so I would like to adjourn this to allow me time to decide how we want to proceed. - But before the judge can respond to Hamood's request for an adjournment, the defendant has something else he wants to discuss.
16:11
- Mr. Sawyer, whatever you want to address with the court, I think it's best if you do it through me, OK?
16:38
I never had, like, a paper to say why they took it. - Mr. Sawyer, are you asking for your phone to be able to use it while you're in jail, or do you just need the phone numbers off your phone?
16:54
- Judge Slay decides she needs to step in. - Mr. Sawyer, if your request is that your phone be removed from property to get certain information off it to get the phone numbers...
17:25
- I think he wants a cell phone to sign in his account. - He's talking about his jail phone. - A fellow inmate attempts to help clear things up, but it only seems to add to the confusion. - I don't have any control over the jail phone so I'll let you and--
17:54
Like, this is crazy. - As the hearing comes to an end, Sawyer becomes even more frustrated.
18:07
- Mr. Sawyer, can you please-- - Let us meet, and we'll figure it out, OK?
18:18
- Mr. Sawyer?
18:24
- What's up? I'm going to tell you what's up. This is what's up today.
18:39
- No problem. - Judge Slay seems to have had enough. She quickly mutes the defendant and ends the hearing. Sawyer later pled no contest to aggravated stalking, aggravated domestic violence, assault, and electronic communication causing injury. The other charges were dropped. In total, he received a sentence of 67 months to 10 years in prison.
19:06
- Next we head to Newfane, Vermont, for a trial. 50-year-old Kristopher Knutson has been charged with reckless endangerment and seven counts of violating an abuse prevention order. Two years earlier, state police served Knutson with a restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting his wife or their two children. It also required him to turn over any guns in his possession. But police say Knutson refused to cooperate. Instead, he barricaded himself in his home,
19:41
leading to a five-day standoff. With police outside, Knutson then allegedly violated the protective order by texting his wife several times. He also called 911.
20:13
After tear gas was deployed, Knutson finally surrendered. Once inside, police say they discovered several guns. Knutson was arrested and held on $50,000 bail. He pled not guilty, and after a psychological examination, was deemed competent to stand trial.
20:37
- Knutson, who often refers to himself as Christ, is represented by a public defender. From the outset he's disruptive towards the court. - This is a kangaroo proceeding. You know it and I know - Mr. Knutson-- - What you're doing is unlawful. - --is disruptive of this proceeding. Mr. Knutson will be removed from the courtroom. We will continue with the proceedings in Mr. Knutson's absence. - All unlawful. It's a violation of my human rights.
21:07
- Today after Knutson is removed from the courtroom several times by Judge John Treadwell, he's questioned about whether he identifies as a sovereign citizen. - I've never identified myself as a sovereign citizen. In fact, the definition of a citizen is a person. And the definition of a person is a fictional entity. So to call me a sovereign fictional entity, to me that doesn't even make any sense. So the answer is no. I'm absolutely not a sovereign citizen.
21:43
I'm just simply opposed to fraud and deception. - Prosecutor Dana Nevins then asks about Knutson's standoff with police. - Some deputies come to your house. - They did. - And did they give you a copy of this document? - Who am I? - I'm asking if you, did you get a copy of this document? - Who am I? - I just am wondering if you got a copy of this document. - I'm confused. - I'm going to just refer to you as you. I won't refer to you as anyone else. - That doesn't work for me.
22:16
- OK, how should I refer to you? - I am a human being, and a human being is of flesh and blood, soul. - OK. You sent various text messages at different point in time to [bleep] starting on September 2nd. Is that correct? - Are we talking about Kristopher Knutson? - I'm asking if the person, the flesh and blood, soul in that chair-- - Is the flesh and blood, soul a person? - I don't know. - You can't come up and tell me who I am, what I am. Because where does it end? It never going to end.
22:55
Everybody's on autopilot. And if anybody has any questions, then bam. Don't you do that. See, that's why I've been in a jail cell for the last two months. - The trial lasted three days. And after deliberating for 2.5 hours, the jury found Knutson guilty of reckless endangerment and violating an abuse prevention order. He was sentenced to a total of 38 to 48 months in prison with 2 years credit for time served.
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