"Justice on Trial" What Happens in My House (The Matter of Terence K.)
ID | 13194605 |
---|---|
Movie Name | "Justice on Trial" What Happens in My House (The Matter of Terence K.) |
Release Name | Justice.on.Trial.S01E01.1080p.WEB.h264-EDITH |
Year | 2025 |
Kind | tv |
Language | English |
IMDB ID | 32149416 |
Format | srt |
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[bus engine rumbling]
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[tense music]
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[thuds]
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00:00:24,316 --> 00:00:25,735
My God!
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Terrence, are you okay?
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[groans]
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Terrence.
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Oh, my God.
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[tense music continues]
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Terrence, was there a fight?
'Cause you're pretty swollen here.
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It's okay. You're safe here.
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[winces]
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Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE
www.osdb.link/lm
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Who did this to you?
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My father.
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Not again.
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We need to get Child Protective
Services in here right away.
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I'm Judy Sheindlin.
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Before I was a judge on TV,
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I was a judge in New
York City for 15 years.
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And a lawyer for 17
years before that.
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While serving on both
sides of the bench,
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I learned that justice doesn't
always end up feeling...
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just.
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Sometimes, the impact of one decision
by a police officer, a lawyer,
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or even a judge, can change
the way justice is delivered.
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We're going to demonstrate this
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by taking landmark
cases from actual crimes
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committed by real people.
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And we'll recreate them
with our trial lawyers,
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and yours truly as
the trial judge.
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00:02:01,914 --> 00:02:05,376
While we're not going to
recreate the trials verbatim,
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the court's ultimate
decisions are accurate.
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It will be up to you to decide
whether the case was fair
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and the outcome just.
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[narrator] Real
cases, actual lawyers,
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surprising verdicts.
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Justice on Trial.
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This case is personal to me.
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That's because I actually touched on
it as a family court judge in 1988.
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When I thought about cases we
should profile in this series,
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this one was first on my list.
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The legal issue here
is diplomatic immunity.
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You see, the little boy in
this case, Terrence Karamba,
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was the son of a member
of the diplomatic mission
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from the country of Zimbabwe.
According to international law,
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high-level diplomats are
not subject to the laws
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of the foreign country
where they serve.
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So, they cannot be prosecuted
for the crimes they commit.
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00:03:01,015 --> 00:03:04,351
But what about the rights
of a child from Zimbabwe
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living in America and
being abused by his father?
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After Terrence Karamba was
placed into protective custody,
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and removed from his parents' home,
the first hearing on the State's demand
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that Terrence be released
from protective custody
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was heard by a Family
Court Judge in Queens,
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where the Karambas lived.
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That judge agreed
with the State,
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and ordered the child immediately
returned to his father.
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The child's lawyer asked me
to reconsider that ruling
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in New York County
where I worked,
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strongly suggesting that the child might
be harmed or even killed if returned.
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I reluctantly agreed.
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Even though New York County technically,
technically, had no jurisdiction.
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But I thought the optics
of the risk to the child
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were worth rattling the cage.
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Let's watch and see how
the forces of justice
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and the rule of law collide.
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Counsel, note your
appearance, please.
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For the Petitioner,
Terrence Karamba
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and the Child Protective
Services, I'm Dan Mentzer.
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Good morning, Your Honor. Larry
Bakman on behalf of the government,
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specifically, the
State Department
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and by virtue of
diplomatic immunity,
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-the father in this case, Floyd Karamba.
-[Judy] Thank you.
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This is a Child
Protective proceeding
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under the Family Court Act
of the State of New York.
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Terrence Karamba is
a nine-year-old boy
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who has allegedly been
abused by his father,
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who happens to be a diplomat
from the country of Zimbabwe.
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Child Protective Services
removed the child from his home
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and placed him in foster care.
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The State Department, on behalf
of the United States government
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as well as Mr. Karamba, demanding
immediate return of the child,
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alleging that this court has no
jurisdiction to hear this case
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based upon the Vienna Convention
and diplomatic immunity.
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Once I determine whether
the child is an abused child
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and likely to be further injured
or worse if returned to the family,
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I have to make a determination
whether or not the law mandates
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that I return the
child to his father,
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or I can continue him in
placement in foster care
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until an entire trial
is able to be held.
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So, that's where we are.
Am I correct, counselor?
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-That's correct, Your Honor.
-Yes, Your Honor.
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All right. Counsel, do you wish
to make an opening statement?
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-I do, Your Honor.
-[Judy] I'll hear you.
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As Your Honor noted, the
reason we are here today is
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because a nine-year-old boy was
brutally beaten by his own father.
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In this courtroom, you're
about to hear graphic testimony
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as to the nature of
these vicious assaults.
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You're gonna see just what this man
did to his own nine-year-old boy.
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In this courtroom, you're gonna
see those scars on his back,
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which someday may heal.
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But you're also going to hear about
those scars that may never heal.
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Those are the
psychological scars
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that were inflicted on
this boy by this man.
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Now, the fact that the
perpetrator of these assaults
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happens to be a diplomat that
works for the Zimbabwe mission
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doesn't change the fact that
this young child's safety
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is in imminent danger if he were
to be brought back to his father.
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So, what we're asking
Your Honor to do
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is to maintain the current
system where he's in foster care
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until at such time where
he can get the therapy
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where it's safe to
return to his home,
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and this man will be
prosecuted for what he's done.
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-Thank you, Your Honor.
-Thank you. Mr. Bakman?
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[Bakman] Yes, thank
you, Your Honor.
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The problem with this case is
this court has no jurisdiction.
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There's something called
separation of powers.
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The Judiciary branch doesn't get to
determine foreign policy considerations.
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That's soley within the discretion of the
Executive branch and the State Department.
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Diplomatic immunity is the
cornerstone of diplomacy.
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We don't set that aside, even
for the welfare of one child.
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As cold and as callous
as that sounds,
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it protects 13,000 diplomats
of the United States
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that are scattered around the globe.
This court does not have jurisdiction.
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I would move right now for this
court to dismiss this action.
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Thank you. I'm gonna hold
your motion in abeyance, sir,
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and start to take
witnesses. Counsel?
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Thank you, Your Honor.
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The Petitioner calls
Darren Bronson.
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-[Judy] Swear the witness, Kevin, please?
-[Kevin] Yes, ma'am.
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Raise your right hand, please.
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Do you swear to tell the
truth in these matters today?
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-I do.
-Thank you. Have a seat.
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-You may inquire.
-[Mentzer] Thanks, Your Honor.
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Now, Mr. Bronson, were
you working as a teacher
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at P.S. 178 on December
first of last year?
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Yes.
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Mr. Bronson, did anything
unusual happen on that day
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with respect to one
of your students?
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Yes. One of my
students, Terrence,
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came into the classroom
that morning looking hurt.
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He had a bruise on his forehead
and his face was swollen.
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[school bell ringing]
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-Hey, hey, stop running.
-[children laugh]
146
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Stop running.
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00:08:05,819 --> 00:08:08,238
[children chattering]
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[pensive music]
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Good morning, Mr. Karamba.
How we doing today?
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00:08:16,872 --> 00:08:18,874
[Terrence] Hi, Mr. Bronson.
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00:08:18,957 --> 00:08:21,376
Hey. You okay, little man?
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[locker clangs]
153
00:08:27,466 --> 00:08:29,176
What happened, Terrence?
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00:08:29,259 --> 00:08:31,845
Did you get in a fight
before school today?
155
00:08:34,932 --> 00:08:37,226
It's cool, you can
tell me. I got you.
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I promise.
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00:08:40,020 --> 00:08:44,316
[sighs] It was... my father.
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00:08:49,238 --> 00:08:51,824
[Mentzer] Now, what did you do
when you saw him in that condition?
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00:08:51,907 --> 00:08:54,284
I immediately took him
to the nurse's office.
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00:08:54,368 --> 00:08:56,662
[Mentzer] And were you met with
anyone in the nurse's office?
161
00:08:56,745 --> 00:08:58,997
Yes, we were met by the
school's guidance counselor.
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00:08:59,081 --> 00:09:01,792
Did anyone ask Terrence how
he got in that condition,
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00:09:01,875 --> 00:09:03,377
bruised and cuts on his face?
164
00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:07,005
Yes, the nurse asked him what
happened and how did he get hurt.
165
00:09:07,089 --> 00:09:08,465
What did Terrence say?
166
00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:10,592
He said his father beat him.
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00:09:10,676 --> 00:09:14,596
[Mentzer] Now, I'm gonna call your
attention, Mr. Bronson, to December 11th.
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Did anything again happen that brought
your attention to Terrence Karamba?
169
00:09:18,976 --> 00:09:20,143
Yes, yes, it did.
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00:09:20,227 --> 00:09:24,147
I saw a bruise and a
cut, and he looked hurt.
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Oh, my God!
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00:09:25,565 --> 00:09:26,984
[Mentzer] What did
you do with Terrence?
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00:09:27,067 --> 00:09:31,154
Well, I took him back to the nurse, and
she called the Child Welfare office.
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-Thank you, Mr. Bronson.
-[Darren] Mm-hmm.
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You may inquire, sir.
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Yes. All right, Mr. Bronson, as I
understand it, sir, you're a teacher?
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-Yes.
-[Bakman] And you have received training
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00:09:40,956 --> 00:09:44,418
with respect to mandated
reporting for child abuse, yes?
179
00:09:44,501 --> 00:09:45,544
Yes.
180
00:09:45,627 --> 00:09:48,213
[Bakman] When you saw the
injuries for the first time,
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00:09:48,297 --> 00:09:52,926
did you comply with your mandated
reporting obligations and call CPS?
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No.
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00:09:54,094 --> 00:09:56,972
And then, when you received
the child's statement,
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"my father beat me,"
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did you call CPS?
186
00:10:00,976 --> 00:10:02,644
No, not the first time.
187
00:10:02,728 --> 00:10:05,897
You didn't call CPS and you didn't
call law enforcement, did you?
188
00:10:05,981 --> 00:10:07,816
No, that's not my job.
189
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All right. So, let's switch
gears to December 11th.
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You observed Terrence
injured again, yes?
191
00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:15,949
Yes.
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00:10:16,033 --> 00:10:18,994
This time, you took
him again to the nurse,
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and more injuries were
discovered. Is that right?
194
00:10:21,788 --> 00:10:23,123
[Darren] Yes, that's right.
195
00:10:23,206 --> 00:10:25,751
[Bakman] And this time,
CPS was called. Yes?
196
00:10:25,834 --> 00:10:26,835
[Darren] Yes.
197
00:10:26,918 --> 00:10:29,421
And the school called
CPS in an effort
198
00:10:29,504 --> 00:10:32,758
to avoid civil liability on
your part. Is that right?
199
00:10:32,841 --> 00:10:35,260
No, we did it because it
was the right thing to do.
200
00:10:35,344 --> 00:10:38,555
But you didn't do that on December
first, the right thing, did you?
201
00:10:38,638 --> 00:10:40,891
That's argumentative,
counsel. Let's move on.
202
00:10:40,974 --> 00:10:43,018
Witness is excused.
Thank you very much.
203
00:10:43,101 --> 00:10:45,479
[contemplative music]
204
00:10:45,562 --> 00:10:47,439
Call your next witness, sir.
205
00:10:47,522 --> 00:10:49,399
The Petitioner
calls Taylor Neal.
206
00:10:52,319 --> 00:10:53,403
You may inquire, sir.
207
00:10:53,487 --> 00:10:55,656
[Mentzer] Thank you, Your Honor.
Miss Neal, are you employed?
208
00:10:55,739 --> 00:10:57,116
-Yes.
-[Mentzer] And where do you work?
209
00:10:57,199 --> 00:10:59,368
I'm a school nurse at
P.S. 178 in Queens.
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00:10:59,451 --> 00:11:01,703
Could you please describe
for us the circumstances
211
00:11:01,787 --> 00:11:03,497
under which you
first met Terrence?
212
00:11:03,580 --> 00:11:05,624
His teacher brought him
in on December first
213
00:11:05,707 --> 00:11:07,209
because his face was bruised.
214
00:11:07,292 --> 00:11:09,127
Did you ask Terrence
how he got bruised?
215
00:11:09,211 --> 00:11:11,505
Yes, I did. He said
his father hit him.
216
00:11:11,588 --> 00:11:12,923
[Mentzer] And what did you do?
217
00:11:13,006 --> 00:11:14,550
I immediately called
the guidance counselor,
218
00:11:14,633 --> 00:11:16,468
and they called the parents.
219
00:11:16,551 --> 00:11:18,637
[Mentzer] Were you present when
the parents came to school?
220
00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:19,763
Yes.
221
00:11:19,846 --> 00:11:21,890
Mr. Karamba, thank you
for meeting with us today.
222
00:11:21,973 --> 00:11:24,476
It's attaché Karamba, actually.
223
00:11:25,977 --> 00:11:30,399
Of course. Representing the
Country of Zimbabwe, I believe.
224
00:11:30,482 --> 00:11:31,566
That is correct.
225
00:11:32,651 --> 00:11:34,486
We're here to talk
about your son.
226
00:11:34,569 --> 00:11:36,530
[tense music]
227
00:11:36,613 --> 00:11:38,323
What has he done this time?
228
00:11:38,407 --> 00:11:39,950
It's what you did, Mr. Karamba.
229
00:11:42,077 --> 00:11:44,287
This morning, Terrence
came to school
230
00:11:44,371 --> 00:11:47,040
with a noticeably
bruised and swollen face.
231
00:11:47,124 --> 00:11:51,503
And he indicated to a teacher that
the person who inflicted these wounds
232
00:11:51,586 --> 00:11:52,671
was his father.
233
00:11:54,214 --> 00:11:55,632
And what of it?
234
00:11:55,715 --> 00:11:56,842
What of it?
235
00:11:57,843 --> 00:11:59,428
So, you admit it, then.
236
00:11:59,511 --> 00:12:03,265
Yes. I admit to
disciplining my son.
237
00:12:03,348 --> 00:12:06,101
That is what a parent
is supposed to do.
238
00:12:06,184 --> 00:12:07,853
When a child needs correction,
239
00:12:07,936 --> 00:12:10,772
it is a parent's
responsibility to provide it.
240
00:12:10,856 --> 00:12:15,193
Striking a person repeatedly in the face
is considered assault in this country.
241
00:12:15,277 --> 00:12:19,656
And it's our responsibility at this school
to protect the children under our care.
242
00:12:19,739 --> 00:12:24,202
Assault? No, this is
not assault. It is love.
243
00:12:24,286 --> 00:12:29,082
This is what a parent does who cares
about their child in my country.
244
00:12:29,166 --> 00:12:31,751
You see, you do not
understand our ways.
245
00:12:31,835 --> 00:12:34,296
This is how my father raised me.
246
00:12:34,379 --> 00:12:37,007
And instead of becoming a
criminal or a drug addict,
247
00:12:37,090 --> 00:12:39,301
like you are teaching
him to be in this school,
248
00:12:39,384 --> 00:12:43,013
I became the diplomatic attaché
to the United States of America.
249
00:12:43,096 --> 00:12:46,016
Well, here in America,
sir, it's child abuse.
250
00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:47,642
And if this ever happens again,
251
00:12:47,726 --> 00:12:50,187
we will immediately call
Child Protective Services,
252
00:12:50,270 --> 00:12:52,731
and they will remove
Terrence from your home.
253
00:12:52,814 --> 00:12:54,524
[tense music]
254
00:12:56,234 --> 00:12:58,737
Was there a time that you
saw Terrence Karamba again,
255
00:12:58,820 --> 00:13:00,197
later on that month?
256
00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:02,491
Yes, I saw him about
ten days after that.
257
00:13:02,574 --> 00:13:04,618
And what happened when
you saw Terrence Karamba?
258
00:13:04,701 --> 00:13:07,829
[Taylor] His teacher brought him in again
because he had bruising to his face.
259
00:13:07,913 --> 00:13:10,248
As I took him to my office,
I put my hand on his back
260
00:13:10,332 --> 00:13:13,418
and he visibly winced. That's
when I knew something was wrong.
261
00:13:13,502 --> 00:13:16,087
And I asked him to remove his
sweatshirt and his t-shirt.
262
00:13:16,171 --> 00:13:18,632
And I was absolutely
horrified by what I saw.
263
00:13:18,715 --> 00:13:20,675
Miss Neal, if you can
try and tell the judge
264
00:13:20,759 --> 00:13:23,845
exactly what you saw when
you removed Terrence's shirt.
265
00:13:23,929 --> 00:13:25,764
He had scars and
welts on his back.
266
00:13:25,847 --> 00:13:28,725
[Mentzer] After observing
those scars on his back,
267
00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:30,644
what did you and the
guidance counselor do?
268
00:13:30,727 --> 00:13:33,104
-We immediately called CPS.
-[Mentzer] Thank you, Miss Neal.
269
00:13:33,188 --> 00:13:34,523
-Counselor?
-[Bakman] Now, Miss Neal,
270
00:13:34,606 --> 00:13:36,399
-December first...
-[Taylor] Yes.
271
00:13:36,483 --> 00:13:38,444
...that's when you first
saw Terrence. Is that right?
272
00:13:38,527 --> 00:13:39,528
Yes, sir.
273
00:13:39,611 --> 00:13:41,530
[Bakman] And there were
bruises about his face?
274
00:13:41,613 --> 00:13:44,366
-Yes.
-[Bakman] And when you saw the bruises,
275
00:13:44,449 --> 00:13:46,660
you then asked the
child how that happened?
276
00:13:46,743 --> 00:13:49,204
And the child said, my father
beat me, or my father hit me?
277
00:13:49,287 --> 00:13:50,288
Yes.
278
00:13:50,372 --> 00:13:52,499
[Bakman] And of course,
as a mandated reporter,
279
00:13:52,582 --> 00:13:54,834
you called CPS, did you not?
280
00:13:54,918 --> 00:13:56,879
Not the first time, no. I
called the guidance counselor.
281
00:13:56,962 --> 00:14:00,173
So, nobody at the school,
as far as you knew,
282
00:14:00,257 --> 00:14:03,927
on December first,
called CPS, correct?
283
00:14:04,010 --> 00:14:05,136
Correct.
284
00:14:05,220 --> 00:14:09,349
And you all sent the child home
with the abuser on December first.
285
00:14:09,432 --> 00:14:10,725
Do I have that right?
286
00:14:10,809 --> 00:14:14,187
Yes, sir. His father said he was a
diplomat and there was nothing we can do.
287
00:14:14,271 --> 00:14:16,314
[Bakman] And on December 11th,
288
00:14:16,398 --> 00:14:18,483
the child was brought
in again with injuries?
289
00:14:18,567 --> 00:14:19,568
Yes.
290
00:14:19,651 --> 00:14:24,364
Any reports that you wrote to
forward to CPS on this day?
291
00:14:24,447 --> 00:14:26,408
-No.
-[Bakman] No further questions.
292
00:14:26,491 --> 00:14:27,951
Witness is now excused.
293
00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:29,452
Thank you, Your Honor.
294
00:14:29,536 --> 00:14:31,329
Call your next
witness, Mr. Mentzer.
295
00:14:31,413 --> 00:14:33,331
The Petitioner
calls Jaime Gilbert.
296
00:14:38,169 --> 00:14:40,130
-You may inquire, sir.
-[Mentzer] Thank you, Your Honor.
297
00:14:40,213 --> 00:14:41,548
Miss Gilbert, where
are you employed?
298
00:14:41,631 --> 00:14:44,175
I am a social worker for
the city of New York.
299
00:14:44,259 --> 00:14:46,636
And what does a social worker
for the city of New York do?
300
00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,807
First, we investigate allegations
of child abuse in the home.
301
00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:52,559
Then, if we think
it's warranted,
302
00:14:52,642 --> 00:14:57,063
we remove the abused children from the
home and place them into foster care.
303
00:14:57,147 --> 00:14:58,732
Miss Gilbert, I want
to call your attention
304
00:14:58,815 --> 00:15:00,734
to December 11th
of this past year.
305
00:15:00,817 --> 00:15:02,777
Did you get involved
with the investigation
306
00:15:02,861 --> 00:15:07,198
into an allegation of abuse involving
an individual named Terrence Karamba?
307
00:15:07,282 --> 00:15:08,366
Yes, I did.
308
00:15:08,450 --> 00:15:12,495
And what did you observe, if anything,
as to the physical condition of Terrence?
309
00:15:12,579 --> 00:15:15,081
Terrence had
bruises on his face.
310
00:15:15,165 --> 00:15:21,796
He had about 15 to 20 scars in
various stages of healing on his back.
311
00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:25,634
Miss Gilbert, did you ask Terrence
how he got those injuries?
312
00:15:25,717 --> 00:15:26,801
Yes, I did.
313
00:15:26,885 --> 00:15:28,762
And what did Terrence tell you
314
00:15:28,845 --> 00:15:31,014
as to how he got those
injuries you're talking about?
315
00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:35,685
Terrence told me that his dad had
been beating him on a regular basis.
316
00:15:35,769 --> 00:15:39,189
I'm sorry. I'll eat all
my dinner next time.
317
00:15:39,272 --> 00:15:43,276
This is the consequence of
disrespecting your mother.
318
00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,403
[tense music]
319
00:15:47,656 --> 00:15:49,699
-[whip cracks]
-[Terrence cries out]
320
00:15:49,783 --> 00:15:51,993
-[whip cracks]
-[grunts] Stop!
321
00:15:53,328 --> 00:15:55,163
-[whip cracks]
-[grunts]
322
00:16:02,003 --> 00:16:04,964
Did Terrence tell you any other
places that he had been hit
323
00:16:05,048 --> 00:16:07,550
by his father other
than on the back?
324
00:16:07,634 --> 00:16:09,595
[Jaime] He said he would
sometimes hit him in the head.
325
00:16:09,678 --> 00:16:13,223
He would hit him with his
fists and sometimes a belt.
326
00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:15,558
It's just that I
don't like cabbage.
327
00:16:15,642 --> 00:16:18,895
-[choking]
-[indistinct]
328
00:16:18,978 --> 00:16:20,772
[Terrence gasps]
329
00:16:20,855 --> 00:16:23,024
What do you have to
say for yourself?
330
00:16:25,694 --> 00:16:28,405
-[punches]
-[grunts] I can't hear you!
331
00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:33,493
I'm sorry.
332
00:16:33,576 --> 00:16:35,620
[crying]
333
00:16:42,794 --> 00:16:44,713
[Mentzer] Did you
examine Terrence's body
334
00:16:44,796 --> 00:16:46,881
with an eye toward
recording those injuries?
335
00:16:46,965 --> 00:16:50,051
I examined his body
and I took pictures.
336
00:16:50,135 --> 00:16:51,553
Your Honor, if I may approach?
337
00:16:51,636 --> 00:16:52,971
[Judy] You may
approach the witness.
338
00:16:53,054 --> 00:16:57,350
I'm going to show you what's been
previously marked Petitioner's A, B and C.
339
00:16:57,434 --> 00:16:59,770
Three photographs. And I'd ask
you just to take a look at it.
340
00:16:59,853 --> 00:17:01,438
When you're done,
please, look up.
341
00:17:01,521 --> 00:17:03,356
[tense music]
342
00:17:04,607 --> 00:17:07,234
Miss Gilbert, do you
recognize those pictures?
343
00:17:07,318 --> 00:17:08,361
Yes, I do.
344
00:17:08,444 --> 00:17:10,446
What do you recognize
those photographs to be of?
345
00:17:10,530 --> 00:17:12,365
They are of Terrence's body.
346
00:17:12,449 --> 00:17:17,036
Miss Gilbert, when Terrence told you
that his father had bound his wrists,
347
00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,080
prior to hanging him from
this pipe in the basement,
348
00:17:20,165 --> 00:17:23,877
did you see any physical
evidence of that on his wrists?
349
00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,378
Yes, there were
scars on his wrists.
350
00:17:26,463 --> 00:17:31,426
When Terrence told you that he
had been choked by his father,
351
00:17:31,509 --> 00:17:33,595
did you see any physical
evidence of that?
352
00:17:33,678 --> 00:17:36,014
Yes, I did. There were
marks on his neck.
353
00:17:36,097 --> 00:17:39,434
[Mentzer] Now Miss Gilbert,
after you spoke with Terrence,
354
00:17:39,517 --> 00:17:44,189
did you make a determination as to
Terrence Karamba's safety and well-being?
355
00:17:44,272 --> 00:17:46,024
-I did.
-And what was that?
356
00:17:46,107 --> 00:17:49,235
I determined that Terrence was
in imminent danger to his welfare
357
00:17:49,319 --> 00:17:51,571
if he stayed living
with his parents.
358
00:17:51,654 --> 00:17:53,990
Thank you, Miss Gilbert. I
have no further questions.
359
00:17:54,073 --> 00:17:55,742
-Cross.
-[Bakman] So, Miss Gilbert,
360
00:17:55,825 --> 00:17:57,702
that's the standard, isn't it?
361
00:17:57,786 --> 00:18:01,581
Imminent risk of serious
bodily injury or death.
362
00:18:01,664 --> 00:18:03,333
That equates to removal.
363
00:18:03,416 --> 00:18:04,542
Yes, absolutely.
364
00:18:04,626 --> 00:18:06,544
[Bakman] Now, you made
this determination
365
00:18:06,628 --> 00:18:10,757
based upon your observations
of the child's injuries, yes?
366
00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:11,883
Yes.
367
00:18:11,966 --> 00:18:17,180
And you are aware that Terrence's father
had diplomatic immunity. Is that right?
368
00:18:17,263 --> 00:18:18,431
I was informed.
369
00:18:18,515 --> 00:18:20,308
[Bakman] When you
were informed of that,
370
00:18:20,391 --> 00:18:24,562
you made the conscious decision
of not calling law enforcement
371
00:18:24,646 --> 00:18:26,564
because of the
immunity. Is that right?
372
00:18:26,648 --> 00:18:31,986
I had him removed from his home
whether he was a diplomat or not.
373
00:18:32,070 --> 00:18:35,281
My obligation is to remove
the child out of danger,
374
00:18:35,365 --> 00:18:36,866
and that is what I did.
375
00:18:36,950 --> 00:18:38,368
No further questions.
376
00:18:38,451 --> 00:18:40,662
[Judy] Thank you very much.
The witness is excused.
377
00:18:40,745 --> 00:18:41,996
Mr. Mentzer?
378
00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:45,291
Petitioner calls
Dr. Riley Hills.
379
00:18:49,003 --> 00:18:50,547
You may inquire, Mr. Mentzer.
380
00:18:50,630 --> 00:18:52,257
Dr. Hills, what type
of work do you do?
381
00:18:52,340 --> 00:18:54,300
I am a board certified
child psychologist.
382
00:18:54,384 --> 00:18:57,387
[Mentzer] And what does a board
certified child psychologist do?
383
00:18:57,470 --> 00:19:01,891
I treat children who have been removed
from the home due to allegations of abuse.
384
00:19:01,975 --> 00:19:04,060
[Mentzer] Have you, during
the course of your employment,
385
00:19:04,143 --> 00:19:06,020
-treated a boy named Terrence?
-Yes.
386
00:19:06,104 --> 00:19:10,316
Did Terrence describe for you any
abuse he has received by his family?
387
00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,279
He did. He said that his father
would beat him with his fists,
388
00:19:14,362 --> 00:19:17,073
with belts and electrical cord.
389
00:19:17,156 --> 00:19:21,786
Now, did Terrence tell you what
the rest of his family was doing
390
00:19:21,870 --> 00:19:24,372
while his dad began to whip him?
391
00:19:25,456 --> 00:19:26,917
[Dr. Hills] He told
me that his father
392
00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:30,378
made his mother and his
sisters watch and ridicule him.
393
00:19:30,461 --> 00:19:34,257
Is the physical damage that
you observed in Terrence
394
00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:37,635
the most important thing to
you as his treating therapist?
395
00:19:37,719 --> 00:19:39,512
No, it's the
psychological damage.
396
00:19:39,596 --> 00:19:40,639
And what do you mean by that?
397
00:19:40,722 --> 00:19:42,599
Well, he believes that
his family hates him.
398
00:19:42,682 --> 00:19:44,475
[Mentzer] Now, at some point,
399
00:19:44,559 --> 00:19:46,686
you had to tell Terrence
that he had to go back home.
400
00:19:46,769 --> 00:19:49,731
-[Dr. Hills] Yes.
-Now, when he actually went back
401
00:19:49,814 --> 00:19:52,233
to have this meeting to
go back to his parents,
402
00:19:52,317 --> 00:19:54,736
did he react in any way
in the car ride over?
403
00:19:54,819 --> 00:19:58,114
He did. He tried to jump out
of the car while it was moving.
404
00:19:58,197 --> 00:19:59,699
And when he got to the building
405
00:19:59,782 --> 00:20:03,161
where he was supposed to be turned over
to his parents, did he do anything?
406
00:20:03,244 --> 00:20:05,622
He attempted to jump out
of a second story window.
407
00:20:05,705 --> 00:20:08,208
-[Mentzer] To avoid seeing his parents?
-[Dr. Hills] That is correct.
408
00:20:08,291 --> 00:20:11,252
[Mentzer] And did you make a
determination as to whether it's safe
409
00:20:11,336 --> 00:20:13,880
for Terrence to return
to his parents now?
410
00:20:13,963 --> 00:20:15,841
-Yes.
-[Mentzer] And what is that determination?
411
00:20:15,924 --> 00:20:17,675
That it is not
safe to return him.
412
00:20:17,759 --> 00:20:18,760
Thank you, Dr. Hills.
413
00:20:18,843 --> 00:20:19,969
[Judy] You may inquire, sir.
414
00:20:20,053 --> 00:20:23,723
Now, in terms of your duties,
415
00:20:23,806 --> 00:20:28,978
you treat children of abuse and
you attempt to protect them.
416
00:20:29,062 --> 00:20:30,355
-Is that right?
-Yes.
417
00:20:30,438 --> 00:20:35,068
[Bakman] And in this case, would
you say that removal from the home
418
00:20:35,151 --> 00:20:38,029
is equally damaging to the child
419
00:20:38,112 --> 00:20:41,491
as is the physical trauma
inflicted by the father?
420
00:20:41,574 --> 00:20:43,284
I mean, it depends
on the relationship,
421
00:20:43,368 --> 00:20:46,204
and we deal with it on a
case-by-case basis, so.
422
00:20:46,287 --> 00:20:48,915
And what specifically
have you done
423
00:20:48,998 --> 00:20:53,795
with respect to reunification
therapy for Terrence and the family?
424
00:20:53,878 --> 00:20:57,173
We've made attempts to reunite
Terrence with his mother,
425
00:20:57,256 --> 00:20:58,675
but he's still in fear of her.
426
00:20:58,758 --> 00:21:00,844
-[Bakman] How many attempts?
-[Dr. Hills] Two attempts.
427
00:21:00,927 --> 00:21:02,012
[Bakman] And in your opinion,
428
00:21:02,095 --> 00:21:04,764
given the circumstances,
that's sufficient?
429
00:21:04,847 --> 00:21:06,724
-Yes.
-No further questions.
430
00:21:06,808 --> 00:21:08,309
I[Judy] The witness is excused.
431
00:21:09,727 --> 00:21:11,104
Is that your final witness, sir?
432
00:21:11,187 --> 00:21:13,439
Yes, Your Honor, the
Petitioner rests.
433
00:21:13,523 --> 00:21:16,150
[Judy] Do you want to renew your
motion to dismiss, counselor?
434
00:21:16,234 --> 00:21:18,236
I would, Your Honor,
at this point in time.
435
00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:19,988
Now it's denied.
436
00:21:20,071 --> 00:21:22,323
The government's demand
that the case be dismissed
437
00:21:22,407 --> 00:21:25,868
because the father and child were
protected by diplomatic immunity,
438
00:21:25,952 --> 00:21:27,453
was just denied by me.
439
00:21:27,537 --> 00:21:30,832
The State, which was
demanding the immediate return
440
00:21:30,915 --> 00:21:34,961
of the child to the father, was then
forced to continue with the hearing.
441
00:21:35,044 --> 00:21:36,504
Please call your first witness.
442
00:21:36,587 --> 00:21:40,216
Yes, Your Honor. At this time, I would
call Kirby Davidson to the stand.
443
00:21:41,926 --> 00:21:44,471
-Mr. Bakman, you may inquire, sir.
-[Bakman] Thank you, Your Honor.
444
00:21:44,554 --> 00:21:45,888
Mr. Davidson, if you would,
445
00:21:45,972 --> 00:21:48,725
can you please tell the court your
current profession or occupation?
446
00:21:48,808 --> 00:21:51,227
I work with the United
States State Department.
447
00:21:51,310 --> 00:21:54,313
[Bakman] And with respect
to that profession, sir,
448
00:21:54,397 --> 00:21:56,107
tell the court, if you would,
449
00:21:56,190 --> 00:21:59,027
what kind of training you've
received and what it's encompassed.
450
00:21:59,110 --> 00:22:02,822
I've received extensive training in
the areas of diplomatic immunity,
451
00:22:02,905 --> 00:22:06,701
uh, as it was afforded in
the Vienna Treaty of 1961.
452
00:22:06,784 --> 00:22:08,369
Can you explain what that is?
453
00:22:08,453 --> 00:22:10,413
Well, diplomatic
immunity was established
454
00:22:10,496 --> 00:22:14,125
so that sending states could send
their diplomats and be assured
455
00:22:14,208 --> 00:22:18,212
that they would be free from criminal
and civil prosecution in those states.
456
00:22:18,296 --> 00:22:22,050
Let me ask you this: How many diplomats
and their families do we have abroad
457
00:22:22,133 --> 00:22:23,801
representing the United States?
458
00:22:23,885 --> 00:22:25,762
Upwards of 13,000.
459
00:22:25,845 --> 00:22:31,225
And we are concerned with upholding
the provisions of the Vienna Convention
460
00:22:31,309 --> 00:22:34,729
for protection of those
diplomats. Is that right?
461
00:22:34,812 --> 00:22:35,813
That is correct.
462
00:22:35,897 --> 00:22:38,649
[Bakman] Now, in
this particular case,
463
00:22:38,733 --> 00:22:43,446
the nation of Zimbabwe itself
has sent the State Department
464
00:22:43,529 --> 00:22:47,075
a request to have the child
returned to the father
465
00:22:47,158 --> 00:22:50,244
and returned to the country
of origin. Is that correct?
466
00:22:50,328 --> 00:22:51,370
That is correct.
467
00:22:51,454 --> 00:22:56,501
Does diplomatic immunity
trump this court's decision
468
00:22:56,584 --> 00:22:59,087
to keep this child in
protective custody?
469
00:22:59,170 --> 00:23:00,838
-It does, yes.
-Why is that?
470
00:23:00,922 --> 00:23:05,051
Well, because the things we need to
protect are diplomats around the world.
471
00:23:05,134 --> 00:23:09,055
So, hypothetically, if our
foreign diplomats were say,
472
00:23:09,138 --> 00:23:14,060
in a country that enforced
headscarves for women,
473
00:23:14,143 --> 00:23:18,189
and one of our diplomats
or their family members
474
00:23:18,272 --> 00:23:22,026
were to go out without a headscarf,
they could be arrested and prosecuted.
475
00:23:22,110 --> 00:23:24,446
And we don't want that. So, we
have to afford the same here.
476
00:23:24,529 --> 00:23:27,740
We can't break the rules.
This was agreed to in 1961
477
00:23:27,824 --> 00:23:29,659
in the Vienna Treaty and
we need to adhere to it.
478
00:23:29,742 --> 00:23:31,160
No further questions.
479
00:23:31,244 --> 00:23:32,411
Any questions?
480
00:23:32,495 --> 00:23:34,330
-[Mentzer] Oh, yes, Your Honor.
-Okay.
481
00:23:34,413 --> 00:23:36,874
Mr. Davidson, you first
got involved in this case
482
00:23:36,958 --> 00:23:40,253
by receiving a call from
the Zimbabwe mission
483
00:23:40,336 --> 00:23:45,591
notifying you that the son of one
of their diplomats was abducted.
484
00:23:45,675 --> 00:23:46,676
That is correct.
485
00:23:46,759 --> 00:23:49,387
And you of course, as a representative
from the State Department,
486
00:23:49,470 --> 00:23:52,640
wanted to find out what happened.
Why was this child removed?
487
00:23:52,723 --> 00:23:53,724
Yes.
488
00:23:53,808 --> 00:23:55,810
[Mentzer] You conducted your
own investigation, right?
489
00:23:55,893 --> 00:23:56,894
That's correct.
490
00:23:56,978 --> 00:23:59,355
[Mentzer] And you found that he
was removed for his own safety
491
00:23:59,438 --> 00:24:03,901
because the boy had accused his
father of stripping him down naked
492
00:24:03,985 --> 00:24:08,197
and beating him over the naked
back with an extension cord.
493
00:24:08,281 --> 00:24:09,783
You learned that to
be the case, right?
494
00:24:09,866 --> 00:24:10,867
Yes, I did.
495
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:13,369
And you found that those
child protective workers
496
00:24:13,452 --> 00:24:17,373
felt that his life was in danger if
he continued to live with his father.
497
00:24:17,456 --> 00:24:19,042
-Yes.
-[Mentzer] That's why they removed him.
498
00:24:19,125 --> 00:24:21,127
-Yes.
-[Mentzer] And you further found
499
00:24:21,210 --> 00:24:25,047
that the mission of
Zimbabwe demanded
500
00:24:25,131 --> 00:24:28,885
that we immediately release
him back to his family.
501
00:24:28,968 --> 00:24:35,933
And if he didn't, they reserved the
right to retaliate against our diplomats.
502
00:24:36,017 --> 00:24:37,936
-That is correct.
-You got a crisis on your hands.
503
00:24:38,019 --> 00:24:39,061
Yes, we do.
504
00:24:39,145 --> 00:24:41,022
[Mentzer] Your job, how
do we deal with this?
505
00:24:41,105 --> 00:24:42,899
And you found out
you had options.
506
00:24:42,982 --> 00:24:46,402
One of those options was
you can expel the diplomat.
507
00:24:46,485 --> 00:24:49,780
The problem is with that
option, you expel the diplomat,
508
00:24:49,864 --> 00:24:53,826
you gotta send the child back to the home
of the man who had been brutalizing him.
509
00:24:53,910 --> 00:24:54,994
-Right?
-[Kirby] Yes.
510
00:24:55,077 --> 00:24:59,290
You had another option. You
could have simply asked Zimbabwe
511
00:24:59,373 --> 00:25:01,834
to waive immunity in this case.
512
00:25:02,919 --> 00:25:03,961
Yes.
513
00:25:04,045 --> 00:25:07,298
[Mentzer] Had you asked,
and they gave you immunity,
514
00:25:07,381 --> 00:25:11,552
you could have kept this
child in foster care.
515
00:25:11,636 --> 00:25:12,845
-Right?
-That is correct.
516
00:25:12,929 --> 00:25:18,226
So, we never even asked them
to waive immunity, did we?
517
00:25:18,309 --> 00:25:19,310
No.
518
00:25:19,393 --> 00:25:23,689
In fact, the representative from
Zimbabwe was specifically asked
519
00:25:23,773 --> 00:25:29,028
what would happen if this judge
gives them what you're asking for
520
00:25:29,111 --> 00:25:31,447
and returns the
child to Zimbabwe?
521
00:25:31,530 --> 00:25:36,744
What the representative from
Zimbabwe said when specifically asked
522
00:25:36,827 --> 00:25:43,334
whether Terrence would go back to the
man who hung him up and whipped him,
523
00:25:43,417 --> 00:25:45,211
-they said, "no comment."
-[Kirby] Correct.
524
00:25:45,294 --> 00:25:49,882
The truth is that if this court
gives you what you're asking for,
525
00:25:49,966 --> 00:25:52,134
and sends this boy
back to Zimbabwe,
526
00:25:52,218 --> 00:25:54,262
you really don't know
what's gonna happen to him.
527
00:25:54,345 --> 00:25:56,013
-No.
-[Mentzer] Thank you.
528
00:25:56,097 --> 00:25:57,640
-Witness is excused.
-[Kirby] Thank you.
529
00:25:57,723 --> 00:25:58,557
Next witness, please.
530
00:25:58,641 --> 00:26:02,353
I would call Floyd Karamba
to the stand, Your Honor.
531
00:26:02,436 --> 00:26:04,146
[contemplative music]
532
00:26:06,899 --> 00:26:08,276
You may inquire, sir.
533
00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:11,529
[Bakman] Thank you, Your
Honor. All right. Mr. Karamba,
534
00:26:11,612 --> 00:26:14,115
what is your current
profession or occupation, sir?
535
00:26:14,198 --> 00:26:18,577
I am a diplomat representing
the Republic of Zimbabwe.
536
00:26:18,661 --> 00:26:19,662
Do you have children?
537
00:26:19,745 --> 00:26:20,788
-[Floyd] I do.
-How many?
538
00:26:20,871 --> 00:26:23,124
-Three.
-[Bakman] And their ages?
539
00:26:23,207 --> 00:26:27,837
I have a nine-year-old son and two
daughters, ages seven and three.
540
00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:32,842
[Bakman] Your boy and your older daughter
go to school in Queens. Is that correct?
541
00:26:32,925 --> 00:26:34,260
That is correct.
542
00:26:34,343 --> 00:26:40,349
And tell me, on December first, were
you called to come down to the school?
543
00:26:40,433 --> 00:26:43,477
-Yes.
-[Bakman] And when you got to the school,
544
00:26:43,561 --> 00:26:45,730
-were you questioned?
-[Floyd] Yes.
545
00:26:45,813 --> 00:26:48,566
And what kind of questions
were asked of you?
546
00:26:48,649 --> 00:26:54,447
They asked me if I knew how my son
got these, uh, bruises on his face.
547
00:26:54,530 --> 00:26:57,366
And they asked me
if I beat my son.
548
00:26:57,450 --> 00:26:59,618
[Bakman] And what was your
response to that question?
549
00:26:59,702 --> 00:27:01,203
My response was "no."
550
00:27:01,287 --> 00:27:06,584
And did they in fact tell you
that Terrence stated to them,
551
00:27:06,667 --> 00:27:08,544
my father beats me.
552
00:27:08,627 --> 00:27:09,837
Yes.
553
00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:11,672
Do you discipline your son?
554
00:27:11,756 --> 00:27:14,133
Yes. I spank my son
555
00:27:14,216 --> 00:27:16,886
on his rear-end,
above his clothing.
556
00:27:18,387 --> 00:27:22,433
So, they let you take the children
home with you. Is that right?
557
00:27:22,516 --> 00:27:23,601
Yes, they did.
558
00:27:23,684 --> 00:27:26,645
[Bakman] Now, ten days later,
did you get another call?
559
00:27:26,729 --> 00:27:27,730
[Floyd] Yes.
560
00:27:27,813 --> 00:27:31,942
And on December 11th, were you
again confronted by the school
561
00:27:32,026 --> 00:27:34,987
with allegations of
additional child abuse?
562
00:27:35,071 --> 00:27:36,072
Yes.
563
00:27:36,155 --> 00:27:37,365
And what did you say?
564
00:27:37,448 --> 00:27:40,743
I told them that I
did not beat my son.
565
00:27:40,826 --> 00:27:43,412
And no one, between
December first,
566
00:27:43,496 --> 00:27:49,251
when the school allegedly heard
Terrence say, my dad beats me,
567
00:27:49,335 --> 00:27:51,629
and they saw
bruises on his face,
568
00:27:51,712 --> 00:27:56,175
no law enforcement, no police
officer came knocking and saying,
569
00:27:56,258 --> 00:27:59,387
we are here to investigate
child abuse allegations.
570
00:27:59,470 --> 00:28:00,471
No.
571
00:28:00,554 --> 00:28:03,224
And CPS didn't come
down either, did they?
572
00:28:03,307 --> 00:28:04,308
No, they did not.
573
00:28:04,392 --> 00:28:08,687
On December 11th, did things change?
Was your son taken away from you?
574
00:28:08,771 --> 00:28:09,772
Yes.
575
00:28:09,855 --> 00:28:12,691
Have you since demanded
the city of New York
576
00:28:12,775 --> 00:28:15,111
-to return your son to you?
-Yes.
577
00:28:15,194 --> 00:28:17,363
[Bakman] Now, in
your culture, sir,
578
00:28:17,446 --> 00:28:21,867
does that culture allow and permit
corporal punishment of a child?
579
00:28:21,951 --> 00:28:23,536
-Yes.
-[Bakman] In what way?
580
00:28:23,619 --> 00:28:28,666
You can do a number of things, but
spanking a child above the clothing
581
00:28:28,749 --> 00:28:30,084
is one of those methods.
582
00:28:30,167 --> 00:28:35,005
And were you in fact disciplined in
that manner by your father growing up?
583
00:28:35,089 --> 00:28:36,215
Yes, I was.
584
00:28:36,298 --> 00:28:38,717
[Bakman] And when
you discipline him,
585
00:28:38,801 --> 00:28:41,512
do you tie him up to a
pipe in your basement
586
00:28:41,595 --> 00:28:43,681
and then whip him with
an electrical cord?
587
00:28:43,764 --> 00:28:44,849
No.
588
00:28:44,932 --> 00:28:48,769
Do you believe, sir, that if
Terrence is returned to you
589
00:28:48,853 --> 00:28:53,482
he is in imminent danger of
serious bodily injury or death,
590
00:28:53,566 --> 00:28:55,943
-if he's returned to you?
-Not at all.
591
00:28:56,026 --> 00:28:57,236
[Bakman] No further questions.
592
00:28:57,319 --> 00:28:58,362
You may inquire, sir.
593
00:28:59,363 --> 00:29:02,825
Mr. Karamba, did I hear that
right? That you did nothing more
594
00:29:02,908 --> 00:29:07,079
than spank your son Terrence
over the clothes on the behind?
595
00:29:07,163 --> 00:29:08,956
Yes, this is where
he was struck, yes.
596
00:29:09,039 --> 00:29:12,460
[Mentzer] So now, you've heard
the testimony of his teacher
597
00:29:12,543 --> 00:29:16,672
who said that he observed cuts
and bruising to his face, right?
598
00:29:16,755 --> 00:29:17,798
Yes.
599
00:29:17,882 --> 00:29:21,093
[Mentzer] You've heard the
testimony of Taylor Neal,
600
00:29:21,177 --> 00:29:26,390
who testified that Terrence said you
caused those injuries to his face.
601
00:29:26,474 --> 00:29:27,516
Yes.
602
00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:33,147
And you've also heard the testimony
of Miss Gilbert, the social worker,
603
00:29:33,230 --> 00:29:37,902
who testified that Terrence told
her that you strung him up naked
604
00:29:37,985 --> 00:29:40,404
down in the basement and beat
him with an extension cord.
605
00:29:40,488 --> 00:29:41,572
-Right?
-Yes.
606
00:29:41,655 --> 00:29:44,074
But that's all a pack of lies?
607
00:29:44,158 --> 00:29:46,994
I believe it to
be all lies, yes.
608
00:29:47,077 --> 00:29:52,666
So, your nine-year-old son lied to
his teacher when he said you beat him?
609
00:29:52,750 --> 00:29:55,085
Unfortunately,
Terrence does lie.
610
00:29:55,169 --> 00:29:58,339
Now, you talked to this court
about corporal punishment.
611
00:29:58,422 --> 00:30:02,718
You said, in your country, this is
a method for disciplining children.
612
00:30:02,801 --> 00:30:03,802
Yes.
613
00:30:03,886 --> 00:30:06,847
So, you believe that
this corporal punishment,
614
00:30:06,931 --> 00:30:09,683
this method of discipline
worked for you, right?
615
00:30:09,767 --> 00:30:12,686
Yes. My father would
use corporal punishment.
616
00:30:12,770 --> 00:30:17,107
He would spank me with a belt
and I turned out just fine.
617
00:30:17,191 --> 00:30:20,277
When you say you turned out just fine,
you're a successful diplomat, right?
618
00:30:20,361 --> 00:30:22,321
-Yes.
-But you're also a man
619
00:30:22,404 --> 00:30:23,823
who beats his own
children, aren't you?
620
00:30:23,906 --> 00:30:25,908
-I discipline my children.
-Step back, counselor.
621
00:30:25,991 --> 00:30:30,496
You're also a man whose own kid
would rather jump out of a moving car
622
00:30:30,579 --> 00:30:32,498
than come back and
live with you, right?
623
00:30:32,581 --> 00:30:36,293
I have never seen my son jump out of a
car and I do not believe this behavior.
624
00:30:36,377 --> 00:30:43,133
Now, as somebody who
has only spanked his son
625
00:30:43,217 --> 00:30:47,805
over a clothed behind with a belt.
Your Honor, can I please approach?
626
00:30:47,888 --> 00:30:49,139
Absolutely.
627
00:30:49,223 --> 00:30:53,018
Can you tell me, Mr. Karamba,
how your son got those?
628
00:30:53,102 --> 00:30:55,104
[tense music]
629
00:31:00,734 --> 00:31:03,737
At this time, I would like to
invoke my diplomatic immunity.
630
00:31:03,821 --> 00:31:05,114
[Judy] Counselor?
631
00:31:05,197 --> 00:31:08,617
Your Honor, I believe he has a right to
do that at any stage of the proceedings.
632
00:31:08,701 --> 00:31:11,579
Well, Mr. Bakman, he
does have that right.
633
00:31:11,662 --> 00:31:14,456
He chose to waive that right
when you called him as a witness.
634
00:31:14,540 --> 00:31:18,085
If he now chooses, as a result
of evidence that he has seen,
635
00:31:18,168 --> 00:31:22,715
to invoke his right, that's fine, but
I'm going to strike his entire testimony.
636
00:31:22,798 --> 00:31:26,343
In that case, Your Honor, I'd like
to ask for a five minute recess.
637
00:31:26,427 --> 00:31:28,637
Allow me sufficient time
to talk to my client.
638
00:31:28,721 --> 00:31:30,598
-Absolutely.
-[Bakman] Thank you.
639
00:31:30,681 --> 00:31:32,308
[pensive music]
640
00:31:32,391 --> 00:31:34,893
Let me explain what
just happened here.
641
00:31:34,977 --> 00:31:39,481
Floyd Karamba declined to answer
certain questions on cross-examination,
642
00:31:39,565 --> 00:31:42,484
invoking diplomatic immunity.
643
00:31:42,568 --> 00:31:45,154
But the law doesn't allow
you to pick and choose
644
00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:47,781
what questions you will
and will not answer.
645
00:31:47,865 --> 00:31:53,746
If he decides to invoke diplomatic status,
his entire testimony would be stricken.
646
00:31:53,829 --> 00:31:55,497
Let's see what he decides.
647
00:31:56,707 --> 00:31:57,750
Counselor?
648
00:31:57,833 --> 00:32:00,127
Your Honor, I've spoken to
my client at this point.
649
00:32:00,210 --> 00:32:03,088
He advises me out of the
love for his children,
650
00:32:03,172 --> 00:32:05,257
and the fact that he
wants his son back,
651
00:32:05,341 --> 00:32:10,429
he is waiving his diplomatic status
so that he can get his child back.
652
00:32:10,512 --> 00:32:13,599
Fine. Mr. Mentzer, you want
to ask your question again?
653
00:32:13,682 --> 00:32:15,809
-Yes. You've seen the picture?
-[Floyd] I have.
654
00:32:15,893 --> 00:32:18,812
I ask you again, Mr. Karamba, how
did Terrence get those whip marks?
655
00:32:18,896 --> 00:32:22,608
What happens in my
house stays in my house.
656
00:32:22,691 --> 00:32:24,276
Are you now owning
up to what you did?
657
00:32:24,360 --> 00:32:27,529
What happens in my
house stays in my house!
658
00:32:27,613 --> 00:32:28,906
You did whip that boy!
659
00:32:28,989 --> 00:32:32,326
Sir, what happens in my
house stays in my house!
660
00:32:32,409 --> 00:32:34,536
Terrence wasn't lying, you are!
661
00:32:34,620 --> 00:32:36,580
Objection, argumentative.
662
00:32:36,664 --> 00:32:40,876
The last part is stricken. All right.
Mr. Karamba, you can take a seat.
663
00:32:43,962 --> 00:32:46,757
Mr. Mentzer, would you like to
make a closing argument, sir?
664
00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:48,175
Thank you, Your Honor.
665
00:32:48,258 --> 00:32:52,513
The reality here is there really
is no dispute over what happened.
666
00:32:52,596 --> 00:32:54,932
This man, Floyd Karamba,
battered his child,
667
00:32:55,015 --> 00:32:58,769
he abused his child, he placed
his child's life in danger.
668
00:32:58,852 --> 00:33:04,024
His health and safety are in jeopardy
were he to be sent back to Zimbabwe.
669
00:33:04,108 --> 00:33:05,443
And the State
Department knows this.
670
00:33:05,526 --> 00:33:10,114
Yet, the State Department would rather
maintain their cozy relationship
671
00:33:10,197 --> 00:33:15,744
with the country of Zimbabwe by not
even asking for a waiver of immunity.
672
00:33:15,828 --> 00:33:20,290
That's all we're asking here for,
is for them to start doing their job
673
00:33:20,374 --> 00:33:24,128
and ask Zimbabwe for a
waiver of immunity here
674
00:33:24,211 --> 00:33:27,172
so that this man can be
prosecuted, and more importantly,
675
00:33:27,256 --> 00:33:29,383
that this child
can be protected.
676
00:33:29,466 --> 00:33:32,177
Because if he's sent back,
his life will be in danger.
677
00:33:32,261 --> 00:33:33,303
Thank you, Your Honor.
678
00:33:33,387 --> 00:33:35,347
[Judy] Thank you. Mr. Bakman?
679
00:33:35,431 --> 00:33:40,144
Quite frankly, Judge, I find
counsel's argument offensive.
680
00:33:40,227 --> 00:33:42,730
The implications are
that the State Department
681
00:33:42,813 --> 00:33:47,818
does not want to protect this child.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
682
00:33:47,901 --> 00:33:51,613
The State Department wants
this child protected.
683
00:33:51,697 --> 00:33:57,911
Just not on U.S. soil. The protection
has to come from the sending state.
684
00:33:57,995 --> 00:34:02,249
That's Federal law and because
of Separation of Powers.
685
00:34:02,332 --> 00:34:09,339
As callous as it may sound, protection
for this child must take place in Zimbabwe
686
00:34:09,422 --> 00:34:12,509
given their demand for
the child's return.
687
00:34:12,592 --> 00:34:16,346
This court is divested of
jurisdiction. Submitted.
688
00:34:17,431 --> 00:34:20,684
The scope of this hearing is a limited
one to determine whether or not
689
00:34:20,768 --> 00:34:25,397
the immediate future of this child's
life would be at risk of further abuse,
690
00:34:25,481 --> 00:34:29,318
either physical or psychological,
if he were returned home.
691
00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,446
It seems to me that this
country has failed this child.
692
00:34:32,529 --> 00:34:33,864
Not once, but twice.
693
00:34:33,947 --> 00:34:37,074
The city of New York failed
the child on December first.
694
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:40,078
There were visible
signs of abuse.
695
00:34:40,161 --> 00:34:44,917
And rather than doing a full evaluation
of the child in the nurse's office,
696
00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:49,087
the nurse, the social worker
in school, and the teacher
697
00:34:49,170 --> 00:34:53,550
chose to bring father in, without
examining the child further,
698
00:34:53,634 --> 00:34:56,428
which would have shown clearly
699
00:34:56,512 --> 00:35:00,516
a pattern of consistent abuse
over a long period of time.
700
00:35:00,599 --> 00:35:04,353
Because those scars, some
are fresh, some are old.
701
00:35:04,436 --> 00:35:06,647
They were certainly
there on December first.
702
00:35:06,730 --> 00:35:10,567
Failure number one of a governmental
agency towards this child.
703
00:35:10,651 --> 00:35:15,948
Some ten days later, the child was
in fact beaten again by his father,
704
00:35:16,031 --> 00:35:20,494
who for all intents and purposes
acknowledges that in his outburst here
705
00:35:20,577 --> 00:35:23,789
because he considers
whatever happens in his home
706
00:35:23,872 --> 00:35:26,959
inviolate from
inspection of authority.
707
00:35:27,042 --> 00:35:29,503
The government of the
United States of America
708
00:35:29,586 --> 00:35:34,675
has the obligation, in my
view, to at least attempt
709
00:35:34,758 --> 00:35:37,469
to reach out to the
government of Zimbabwe,
710
00:35:37,553 --> 00:35:40,347
show their representative
these photographs
711
00:35:40,430 --> 00:35:45,978
and say, we would like some time to ensure
that the child, if returned, is safe.
712
00:35:46,061 --> 00:35:49,189
The government of the United
States chose not to do that.
713
00:35:49,273 --> 00:35:53,068
Two failures. I think that it is
the responsibility of the government
714
00:35:53,151 --> 00:35:55,362
to do exactly what
Mr. Mentzer is requesting,
715
00:35:55,445 --> 00:35:58,907
which is to ask the sending
state, and that is Zimbabwe,
716
00:35:58,991 --> 00:36:02,619
to take a fresh look at these
fresh welts. In the interim,
717
00:36:02,703 --> 00:36:06,498
I find that the child is in fact at risk
of being further abused and neglected.
718
00:36:06,582 --> 00:36:09,960
We will pick a trial date for
a full trial on this date.
719
00:36:10,043 --> 00:36:14,631
Until that time, the child remand to
Child Protective Services is continued.
720
00:36:16,675 --> 00:36:20,721
Well, believe it or not, my
ruling caused a bit of a firestorm
721
00:36:20,804 --> 00:36:23,807
when I continued the child
in protective custody.
722
00:36:23,891 --> 00:36:27,394
The United States State
Department immediately appealed
723
00:36:27,477 --> 00:36:30,063
and the case was heard
in federal court.
724
00:36:30,147 --> 00:36:32,316
This time, the key legal concept
725
00:36:32,399 --> 00:36:35,152
was called the Supremacy
Clause of the Constitution
726
00:36:35,235 --> 00:36:40,240
which establishes that federal laws and
treaties made under federal authority
727
00:36:40,324 --> 00:36:43,619
supercede any laws
made by a state,
728
00:36:43,702 --> 00:36:48,290
and state courts must defer to
those federal laws and treaties.
729
00:36:48,373 --> 00:36:50,709
But the question
for me remained:
730
00:36:50,792 --> 00:36:56,798
What about the issue of a little boy who
everyone now admitted had been abused?
731
00:36:56,882 --> 00:36:58,884
Here's how it went.
732
00:36:59,968 --> 00:37:01,970
Counsel, note your appearances.
733
00:37:02,054 --> 00:37:04,056
Good morning, Your Honors.
Larry Bakman on behalf
734
00:37:04,139 --> 00:37:07,142
of the government representing the
United States Department of State.
735
00:37:07,225 --> 00:37:09,686
Good morning. For the
Respondent Terrence Karamba
736
00:37:09,770 --> 00:37:11,647
and the city of New
York, I'm Dan Mentzer.
737
00:37:11,730 --> 00:37:14,858
Mr. Bakman, you may proceed
with your opening statement.
738
00:37:14,942 --> 00:37:20,155
Thank you, Your Honors. Floyd
Karamba is a diplomatic envoy
739
00:37:20,238 --> 00:37:22,282
from the nation of Zimbabwe.
740
00:37:22,366 --> 00:37:26,453
As such, he has absolute
diplomatic immunity,
741
00:37:26,536 --> 00:37:31,500
precluding him from being either
criminally charged or civilly charged.
742
00:37:31,583 --> 00:37:37,923
And the Supremacy Clause prevents
the state or the city of New York
743
00:37:38,006 --> 00:37:41,802
from attempting to
dictate in foreign policy.
744
00:37:41,885 --> 00:37:47,933
And the only entity that can
waive diplomatic immunity
745
00:37:48,016 --> 00:37:51,895
is the sending country,
the nation of Zimbabwe.
746
00:37:51,979 --> 00:37:58,068
And because they refuse to do that,
there is no waiver of immunity,
747
00:37:58,151 --> 00:38:01,863
and Floyd Karamba and his
child Terrence Karamba
748
00:38:01,947 --> 00:38:05,701
are not subject of the city
of New York. Thank you.
749
00:38:05,784 --> 00:38:08,537
[Adam] Thank you, Mr. Bakman.
Mr. Mentzer, please.
750
00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:10,288
[Mentzer] Thank you, Judge.
751
00:38:10,372 --> 00:38:13,583
If you give the State Department
what they're asking for,
752
00:38:13,667 --> 00:38:16,795
and send Terrence
Karamba back to Zimbabwe,
753
00:38:16,878 --> 00:38:18,588
his life will be in danger
754
00:38:18,672 --> 00:38:23,385
because Floyd Karamba doesn't
think he did anything wrong.
755
00:38:23,468 --> 00:38:28,890
So, what we want this court to do
is to compel the State Department
756
00:38:28,974 --> 00:38:33,020
to do what they haven't done
yet, and that is to ask Zimbabwe
757
00:38:33,103 --> 00:38:37,566
for a waiver of immunity so that
we can prosecute Floyd Karamba
758
00:38:37,649 --> 00:38:40,861
for what he's done to his
son. And more importantly,
759
00:38:40,944 --> 00:38:45,907
with a waiver of immunity, Terrence
Karamba will continue to receive
760
00:38:45,991 --> 00:38:50,579
the therapy he so
desperately needs. Thank you.
761
00:38:50,662 --> 00:38:51,830
Thank you, Mr. Mentzer.
762
00:38:51,913 --> 00:38:54,416
We will now recess
to deliberate.
763
00:38:57,044 --> 00:38:59,755
We are not a unanimous court.
764
00:38:59,838 --> 00:39:02,424
Judge DiMango and I
are in the majority.
765
00:39:02,507 --> 00:39:05,719
And Judge DiMango will
present the majority opinion.
766
00:39:05,802 --> 00:39:09,264
And Judge Acker will
then give the dissent.
767
00:39:09,347 --> 00:39:12,976
The essence of this appeal involves
the issue of diplomatic immunity
768
00:39:13,060 --> 00:39:15,896
as it pertains to child
protective proceedings
769
00:39:15,979 --> 00:39:18,065
conducted pursuant to
the Family Court Act.
770
00:39:18,148 --> 00:39:21,151
The alleged abuse suffered
by the child Terrence
771
00:39:21,234 --> 00:39:24,154
at the hands of his father
in the name of discipline
772
00:39:24,237 --> 00:39:27,407
indeed offends even the
hardest of sensibilities.
773
00:39:27,491 --> 00:39:29,910
But the question
presented here is,
774
00:39:29,993 --> 00:39:34,539
did the Family Court have the
authority to exercise jurisdiction
775
00:39:34,623 --> 00:39:38,877
over the parties to hear the
case and to reach a decision
776
00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:42,672
on the merits in light of the
assertions of diplomatic immunity
777
00:39:42,756 --> 00:39:47,219
by both the United States and
the sending state, Zimbabwe.
778
00:39:47,302 --> 00:39:51,014
The answer to the question
is a resounding no.
779
00:39:51,098 --> 00:39:55,393
Diplomatic immunity is considered
the cornerstone of diplomacy.
780
00:39:55,477 --> 00:39:58,522
It is intended to protect the
diplomat and their families
781
00:39:58,605 --> 00:40:02,317
from the service of civil
process, criminal prosecution
782
00:40:02,400 --> 00:40:04,694
and the jurisdiction
of the courts
783
00:40:04,778 --> 00:40:07,864
of the foreign states of
which they are stationed.
784
00:40:07,948 --> 00:40:11,034
Were we to affirm the
decision of the Family Court,
785
00:40:11,118 --> 00:40:14,996
our decision could be viewed as
condoning this misapplication of the law.
786
00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:17,290
And so, based upon
the foregoing reasons,
787
00:40:17,374 --> 00:40:23,171
it is with a heavy heart that the
lower court's decision is reversed.
788
00:40:25,048 --> 00:40:28,135
My colleagues are right to
point out the importance
789
00:40:28,218 --> 00:40:32,180
of the doctrine of diplomatic immunity,
and how critical that doctrine is
790
00:40:32,264 --> 00:40:36,434
to our diplomatic services and
international interests around the world.
791
00:40:36,518 --> 00:40:39,771
But they make a false
and unnecessary choice.
792
00:40:39,855 --> 00:40:43,066
The City's request won't
compromise our diplomats.
793
00:40:43,150 --> 00:40:45,652
The City simply seeks a stay
794
00:40:45,735 --> 00:40:49,406
so that all of the various interests
at stake here may be heard.
795
00:40:49,489 --> 00:40:52,826
Diplomats and their families
have a right to immunity,
796
00:40:52,909 --> 00:40:56,997
but diplomats and their families
also have a right to asylum,
797
00:40:57,080 --> 00:41:00,834
and to have those claims fairly
and properly adjudicated.
798
00:41:00,917 --> 00:41:04,880
That is the law too.
Here, in this country,
799
00:41:04,963 --> 00:41:09,759
a child endures this, and we
can't maintain a simple stay
800
00:41:09,843 --> 00:41:12,345
that would permit him to
complete a request for help?
801
00:41:12,429 --> 00:41:16,600
And to satisfy the legal requirements
of properly hearing an asylum claim?
802
00:41:16,683 --> 00:41:20,312
If the State Department's commitment
to human rights is to mean anything,
803
00:41:20,395 --> 00:41:23,565
if it cares to send a message
that this will not be tolerated
804
00:41:23,648 --> 00:41:25,442
in these United States,
805
00:41:25,525 --> 00:41:30,238
it has the duty to try to
bring this abuser to justice.
806
00:41:30,322 --> 00:41:34,576
It has the duty to ask.
I respectfully dissent.
807
00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:40,498
Terrence Karamba was removed from his
foster home and returned to Zimbabwe
808
00:41:40,582 --> 00:41:43,126
to live with his family.
809
00:41:43,210 --> 00:41:49,257
His father, Floyd Karamba was
never prosecuted for child abuse.
810
00:41:49,341 --> 00:41:54,304
How could our government place this
child in harm's way without protection?
811
00:41:54,387 --> 00:41:58,433
Even though Terrence Karamba was
ultimately sent back to Zimbabwe,
812
00:41:58,516 --> 00:42:03,063
my ruling, which was to have the
child remain in protective custody,
813
00:42:03,146 --> 00:42:07,234
caused the case to delay as it wound
its way through the court system.
814
00:42:07,317 --> 00:42:10,612
This enabled certain
safeguards to be put in place
815
00:42:10,695 --> 00:42:14,616
for the child's protection when he
was ultimately returned to his family.
816
00:42:14,699 --> 00:42:20,538
The complex issue of diplomatic immunity
continues to plague the justice system.
817
00:42:20,622 --> 00:42:24,501
Every year, it seems, a
new case of a diplomat
818
00:42:24,584 --> 00:42:28,713
committing a horrendous crime is
protected by diplomatic immunity.
819
00:42:28,797 --> 00:42:34,010
Sometimes, the rule of law,
when you factor in common sense,
820
00:42:34,094 --> 00:42:37,973
just doesn't equal justice.
821
00:42:38,056 --> 00:42:41,518
JUDGE JUDY PRESENTS
JUSTICE ON TRIAL
822
00:42:41,601 --> 00:42:43,812
[sinister orchestral music]
822
00:42:44,305 --> 00:43:44,672
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