SHIRTLESS Man Disrupts Hearing, Judge Shuts It Down | Court Cam | A&E

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:01]- No!

[00:00:02]- You better settle down and listen to me.

[00:00:04]♪ ♪ I am not going to put up with this anymore today.

[00:00:08][dramatic music] [Dan] We're in Eureka, Kansas, for a status hearing.

[00:00:12]♪ ♪ 44-year-old Heather Reese has been charged with driving while license suspended and failing to provide proof of insurance.

[00:00:22]Three years earlier, Reese was pulled over by a state trooper on the Kansas Turnpike, given a citation for both charges, and ordered to appear in court.

[00:00:31]But she failed to appear, and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.

[00:00:36]Over a year later, after numerous additional no-shows, plus multiple subsequent warrants, arrests, and court appearances... ♪ ♪ Reese appears virtually without an attorney before Judge Phyllis Webster to hear next steps in the case.

[00:00:54]The prosecutor is Assistant County Attorney Jarod Regier.

[00:00:58]First on the judge's agenda is Reese's chronic absences.

[00:01:03]- You failed to appear September 23rd of '24.

[00:01:06]You failed to appear June 4th of 2025.

[00:01:10]You failed to appear August 11th of 2025.

[00:01:14]♪ ♪ Now here you are.

[00:01:16]- I went through a rough patch in my life.

[00:01:18]I got addicted to drugs. I got myself sober.

[00:01:21]My friend died in front of me that I resuscitated.

[00:01:24]That's why I missed my last court date in June.

[00:01:27]- Are you trying to tell me that you couldn't be in court because you were busy resuscitating a friend who passed away?

[00:01:33]- No, that's not what I'm-- No, no, no.

[00:01:36]I'm explaining to you why I've missed these court dates-- because my life got hectic, and I wasn't working, and I got addicted to drugs, but now I am clean and sober, and I'm getting my life back.

[00:01:48][Jarod] Your Honor, the state's information is that this is a defendant who has failed to appear on four consecutive occasions, beginning in September of 2024.

[00:01:56]It would also appear that the court did enter specific orders that the defendant must appear at the courthouse at that time, based off the state's information.

[00:02:06]- Why aren't you at the courthouse, ma'am?

[00:02:08]- Because I called the courthouse, as well as my bond lady, and I got the permission to be over Zoom.

[00:02:16]- Who gave you permission to not follow the court order?

[00:02:19]- The court clerk!

[00:02:22]- Well, frankly, there is something not adding up in what you're telling me, because I know our clerk does not override my orders.

[00:02:30]Mr. Regier, your recommendations at this time?

[00:02:39][Dan] An unidentified male voice suddenly responds to the judge.

[00:02:44]And it seems to be coming from Reese's location.

[00:02:48]- Ms. Reese, is that your attorney?

[00:02:50]- No, that is not my attorney.

[00:02:52]- Sir, step in front of the camera if you're going to appear.

[00:02:56]Get in front of the camera.

[00:02:57]- Guys, she is here, doing the best that she can, and I'm hearing everything that you say.

[00:03:03]♪ ♪ And you keep repeating the same stuff.

[00:03:06]Like, it's multiple stuff.

[00:03:08]Her bondsman bonded her out, dude.

[00:03:11]- All right, unless you identify yourself, you're off this call.

[00:03:16]What is your name?

[00:03:18]- Look, my name is Jerry Banks, okay?

[00:03:21]- Jerry, J-E-R-R-Y; Banks, B-A-N-K-S?

[00:03:26]- Well, congratulations. You're correct.

[00:03:29]- All right, do you know what contempt of court is, sir?

[00:03:32]Have you ever heard of that?

[00:03:36]- How are you related to her? - This is my kids' father.

[00:03:40]He is the one that has got me out of the streets and is doing better.

[00:03:45][Dan] While she did not hold Banks in contempt of court, Judge Webster clearly feels she's heard enough from Reese and her friend.

[00:03:55]- No!

[00:03:56]- You better settle down and listen to me.

[00:03:58]♪ ♪ I am not going to put up with this anymore today, I am not going to put up with this anymore today, this indignity in court.

[00:04:05]We are going to continue this case to 1:30 today.

[00:04:09]And you must be present at the Butler County Courthouse.

[00:04:12]- I don't have a car. I don't have a license.

[00:04:15]I have a job interview at 1:30 today.

[00:04:18]- And I have a job at 1:30 today, and you better be here.

[00:04:23][Dan] Reese did appear at her 1:30 hearing in person with a court-appointed attorney.

[00:04:29]- Judge, I would announce at this time, pursuant to negotiations, Ms. Reese is going to enter a plea of guilty to count one.

[00:04:35]The state has agreed to dismiss count two.

[00:04:37]♪ ♪ [Dan] More than three years after her original arrest, Reese's case wrapped up in one day, when she pled guilty to driving while license suspended.

[00:04:49]She was sentenced to six months' probation and $208 in fines and court costs, which have been paid in full.

[00:04:57]♪ ♪