Court video shows the incredible moment a defendant on trial for driving with a suspended license took part in a Zoom hearing on the case while driving his car.
Judge Cedric Simpson was presiding over the trial in Ann Arbor, Michigan. WJBK-TV reportedHe added that the defendant, Corey Harris, participated in the May 15 video hearing from the driver’s seat of a car.
“Okay, there may be something I don’t understand,” the judge began. “This is driving with a suspended license.” [hearing]He was just driving and he didn’t have a license.”
“Mr. Harris, are you driving?” Simpson asked Harris.
“Actually, I’m parking at my doctor’s office,” Harris replied. “Give me a second. I’m just going to park.”
Simpson appeared in disbelief, dropped his pen and put his head in his hands, WJBK said.
“Okay,” the judge interjected. “What do we do?”
Image source: WJBK-TV video screenshot
Harris’ public defender asked Simpson to postpone the hearing, but the judge was not willing to allow it.
“Okay, there may be something I don’t understand,” the judge began. “This is driving with a suspended license.” [hearing]He was just driving and he didn’t have a license.”
“Uh,” Harris muttered.
“Your Honor, that was the charge, that’s correct,” the public defender replied.
“No, I’m looking at his record. He doesn’t have a license,” Simpson shot back. “He has a suspended license, and he’s just driving.”
“That’s correct, Your Honor,” the public defender acknowledged.
“Uh,” Mr. Harris muttered again, and as a long silence fell on the courtroom, he added, “Hello?”
Finally, the judge said, “I don’t know why he did it.”
Image source: WJBK-TV video screenshot
Judge Simpson immediately announced that he was revoking Harris’ bail and ordered him to report to the Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m. that same day or he would be held without bail, WJBK reported.
Upon hearing that, Harris tilted his head back and sighed, “Oh my god.”
Image source: WJBK-TV video screenshot
Here’s a video of the entire exchange:
WJBK spoke with Harris’ lawyer, who said he “strives to live in a world where people aren’t incarcerated for non-violent crimes,” but the station reported that the lawyer declined to comment further.
Many members of the public had comedic reactions to the events that unfolded in the courtroom.
One woman told WJBK she advised Harris to “just walk from now on, don’t get behind the wheel anytime soon,” while one man added to the station that next time Harris should wear a suit and tie and join the Zoom video hearing from home.
Harris’ next court date is scheduled for June 5, WJBK reported.
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