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My name is Les Nessman reporting for Wolfpack Reality Network. We are outside of small claims
court where there is quite a commotion. Students from all over campus are here because of the
wave of missing laptops. Dozens of computers have been stolen from students while they
were studying in the library. The plaintiff in this civil action is claiming her two hundred
dollar reward, the plaintiff returned the computer to the student listed on the reward
poster in the library. All rise, oh yay, oh yay, oh yay, small claims
court for the district of [inaudible] is ready for the dispatch of business, his honor Dale
Miller is present and residing [inaudible]. Please be seated. The next case Mitt Versus
Johnson, Ms. Johnson are you present? Present your honor.
Mr. Johnson are you present? Present your honor.
My review of the complaint of court papers indicate that this dispute is for 20 dollars.
The deputy sheriff served a summons, signed the document and returned one copy. The defendant
is here, the amount is less than five thousand dollars and this court has jurisdiction. Plaintiff
are you ready? Defendant are you ready? Mr. Bailiff you may swear in the parties and their
witnesses. Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?
I swear. Plaintiff you may begin.
I took a break from studying in the library when I saw a poster on the hall bulletin board,
I would like to introduce this poster into evidence.
This poster is one I put up all over campus so I have no problem with it being placed
into evidence. Okay this poster will be marked as the plaintiff's
evidence number 1. Your honor I called and called the number
on the poster all day long and no one answered. That evening I went to the address listed
on the poster, the roommate of the owner of the computer answered the door and said that
the owner was not home. I gave the roommate the laptop in exchange for a written receipt
for the computer. I waited weeks and weeks and never heard anything and still your honor
some two months later I still have never been paid, that is my case.
Your honor it is true that Ms. Smith had dropped off my laptop when my roommate was at home.
It is also true that she was given a note saying she had returned it. However when Ms.
Smith came to the door my roommate recognized her, she works at the library. Ms. Smith has
always been seen lurking around the library when computers seem to go missing; it is his
belief that she is the one that's been stealing all these computers.
Order in the court or I will have the bailiff clear out the room.
My roommate said he could look into her eyes... Objection the roommate is not here to testify,
it is not fair. Your honor my roommate had to work, he had
no other option. Did you subpoena your roommate as your witness?
No, sir I had no idea the subpoena was required. The subpoena forms are in the deputy clerk's
office, plaintiff your objection is sustained, defendant you may not quote your roommate.
Well, I saw on TV that it's all right if a letter is used in court.
Objection the roommate is still not here to testify, I cannot ask him questions.
Objection is sustained. Your honor I prepared my entire case based
on the fact that my roommate had this notarized, it was done in front of a public notary.
Objection the roommate is still not here to testify, I cannot ask him questions. The notarized
letter is inadmissible in court because it's not giving me my rights.
The letter and a notarized document are both [inaudible] and inadmissible.
Your honor I was interviewed by the campus detective as well on this matter.
Well Brian you were very smart to call the campus police so we could put a stop to this,
so many people's computers have been stolen all over campus, the owners are all very upset.
I'll take some fingerprints and run some tests on your computer in the mean time I suggest
avoiding contact with Ms. Smith. Should I pay her the 200 dollar reward or
no? That's up to you we don't give advice in civil
matters, if she does turn out to be thief and you paid her the 200 dollar reward it
might be very difficult to get your money back.
Thanks for your help officer. Based on the campus detective's opinion it
is my case and I'm not going to pay Ms. Smith, that is my case.
Anything further from the plaintiff? Anything further from the defendant?
Very well my decision will be based upon the testimony and evidence heard in court today,
my decision will be sent to you in the mail within no less than ten days.
The judge has the right to reserve and delay his decision. If you would like to know the
judges decision, please your opinion as to how the court should rule to ron underscore
campbell at ncsu dot edu for Wolfpack Reality television we hope you have enjoyed the preceding
case.