Sydney Steel actually emerges victorious over Lieutenant J. Carey. And I love this because it's pretty clear to everybody that the lieutenant is lying. And I love how the judge handles this. The guy in the upper right-hand corner, we're going to hear his testimony here in a second. Check this out. >> She was following another vehicle too close as she was changing lanes. >> So, if you're observing me in your rearview mirror, how are you able to see how close I'm driving behind another car? >> I can see your car and the car in front of you. >> What was the kind of car that I was driving behind? >> I'm not sure. >> I could not see his tires. This is why I ask these questions cuz in driver's training, they teach you you have to at least be able to see the car's tires behind you. >> In Clayton County, Georgia, Sydney Steel appeared before the court to fight two traffic citations, following too closely and making an improper lane change. Steel represented herself without an attorney while Lieutenant >> Following too closely, improper lane change. I understand how dangerous both of those could potentially be. But again, is there a victim? Is there a verified complaint? Is this cop telling the truth or is this cop lying so that he can fill his quota book? >> Lieutenant Jonathan Carey of the Clayton County Sheriff's Blackhawk Traffic Unit testified about what he said he observed that day. Steel was 6 months pregnant at the time of the stop, and when it was her turn to question the lieutenant, she focused on one very specific issue. How could he actually see what he claimed to have seen? >> Sydney Joyce >> Wait a minute, Blackhawk Traffic Unit? This almost sounds like the Memphis Scorpion Unit or the Cobra Unit that was just recently exposed in that What was that kid's name who he did the ride-along? And there was um Officer Methhead. Remember he was all wired out? Yeah, this is the way we do things around here. Oh god, look at those people at the gas station. That guy in the red hoodie. Yeah, he's definitely a lookout. >> Okay, you're charged with following too close on 2024 TK06653. lane change on case 2024TK06652. Mr. Tipton, are you ready to go forward with trial? >> Yes, your honor. State's going to call Lieutenant Jonathan Carey to the um to the Zoom call. >> I love how confident Ms. Steel looks. Look up up there up here in the right-hand corner. Sydney Steel, she looks so confident, man. >> Lieutenant Carey, raise your right hand for me. Do you solemnly swear or affirm any testimony you give in this matter will be true. All right, you can put your hand down, sir. Mr. Tipton, you may introduce your witness. >> Yes, your honor. >> That's right, Tommy G. That's right. If you missed that, I'll try to remember to put a link in the description for you so you can take a look at that. Pretty off the charts how tyrannical the Cobra unit actually acts and they do it all on camera. >> Uh Lieutenant Carey, please state your name for the Zoom call. >> I'm Lieutenant Jonathan Carey. >> All right. And Lieutenant Carey, how are you currently employed? >> Uh currently a lieutenant for the Clayton County Sheriff's Office Black Hawk Traffic Unit. >> And how long have you been with the Clayton County Sheriff's Office? >> Uh the Sheriff's Office probably a little over 2 years. >> Mhm. And you have prior experience before that, correct? >> Yes, I was with the Clayton County Police for about 4 or 5 years. >> Okay. Uh and during that time, both with the Sheriff's Office and the Police Department, have you been POST certified? >> Yes. >> So, I want to bring your attention to March 20th of 2024. Uh were you working for the Clayton County Sheriff's Department at that time? >> Yes. >> And were you on duty that day? >> Yes, I was. >> Did you at any point in time have uh occasion to make contact or initiate a traffic stop with um a white Chevrolet Trax uh that was driven by Ms. Sydney Steel? >> Yes. >> Okay. Can you tell me about uh what drove you to uh or what um caused you to um initiate contact with Ms. Steel? >> Yes. So, um during my role during the day I um I for erratic lane changes, reckless drivers, speeders. So, while traveling on Memorial Drive past the overpass I was monitoring traffic in my rearview mirror. I observed a white SUV changing several lanes not giving the public enough notice that she was changing lanes nor was she using a turn signal nor was the vehicle using a turn signal. I observed the vehicle getting closer to me as she was changing lanes. She was also following another vehicle too close. Once she changed from lanes to back to lane one several times she passed me, I'm sorry, from lane three to lane two she passed me in lane three and that's when I conducted a traffic stop on that vehicle and spoke with the driver. While speaking with the driver she advised that she was in a hurry to get to Atlanta because she had a hair appointment. >> Okay. Now, I could have been a decent human being and I could have said, "Hey, what you did was a little bit dangerous. Just just watch it for next time. Have a good day, Miss Steel. I'll see you later." But he didn't because he's a garbage pail human being and he's got this smug arrogant look on his face like, "Yeah, this is just the way it is. I I work for the Black Hawk unit." He's probably got a blacked out vehicle. It's probably nondescript, doesn't have any decals on the side and he's all incognito as he tries to get you. >> You say she didn't use any turn signals, is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. And what was the basis of the following too close? >> She was following another vehicle too close as she was changing lanes. >> Based on your knowledge, your training and your experience as well as what you observed, was that a safe maneuver for her to make? >> Oh, no, no. The next question is how close is too close and how did you determine the distance when she's behind you? But wait, he's he's completely lying about this entire thing. She's about to eviscerate him. So, first of all, I like how Sydney Steel looks super confident. I like how she dressed right here. You can't dress like a thug and be expected to be taken seriously. So, she dressed the part of She kind of looks like a female attorney. >> Was not. >> Would a reason Would a reasonably prudent driver Was a reasonably prudent driver Would a reasonably prudent driver have followed that closely? >> Is this guy on coke or what's up with him? >> And if that vehicle in front of her would have slammed on brakes, uh she would have been at fault and that definitely probably would have caused an accident. >> Okay. And with the improper lane change, um was there anything improper Tell me about what was improper about that lane change besides just the signal? >> So, when you change lanes, you have to give the public enough notice that you're about to change lanes, um which she failed to do. >> I bet he fails to do that every single time. And I like somebody said in the room that this is pre-crime. That's what traffic law violations are. When they give you a citation for committing a violation, well, you could have done this. You could have caused an accident. You could have put somebody's life in jeopardy. This is just uh just the initiation of a pre-crime technique. >> Okay. >> That road several times, not just one time. >> Okay. So, about how many lane changes did you observe? >> I believe I observed three. >> I believe I observed Look at his eyes. I believe I observed three. Well, we're not litigating cases on belief. We don't go by faith here, officer. We need concrete evidence. We need solid facts. We don't need beliefs. >> So, she went from the number three lane to the number two lane then back to the number three lane. >> Okay. It occurred in Clayton County? >> Yes, it did. >> Okay. I have no further questions at this time. >> All right. Ms. Steel, did you have any questions of Lieutenant Carey? >> Yes. >> Go ahead, ma'am. >> So, you said that you were observing me in your rearview mirror when I did all of these lane Okay. So, if you're observing me or a rearview mirror, how are you able to see how close I'm driving behind another car if you're looking If you're looking in your rearview mirror, you would see the car that's in front of me. You wouldn't be able to see my car. >> That is such a freaking good question. I love it when people paint a picture. They paint a word picture of the story that the cop is trying to construct. And now, in constructing that visual image, she's going to deconstruct his lie. >> I can see your car and the car in front of you. >> Got you. So, how are you able to determine how close my tires were to the trunk of the car in front of me? >> Yeah, well, look at the lawyer in the top right-hand corner. He's like, "Oh god, he just lost. This is horrible. Just absolutely horrible." >> Determine how close your tires are back and determine how close your bumper is to their rear bumper. >> And how are you able to do that? >> [laughter] >> By looking at it. >> And what did you see? How close was I if you had to guestimate? >> You're a less than a car length behind them. >> Less than a car length? >> Correct. >> And this was another car and this was not your car? >> Correct. >> Okay. I don't have any more questions for you. >> All right. Anything else, Mr. >> That was just the appetizer. She's just setting this guy up. Look at his smug, stupid face, Mr. Black Hawk Down. >> Mr. Tipton? >> Briefly, Your Honor. Lieutenant Carey, was your view of the car immediately in front obstructed? >> No. >> Was your view of Ms. Steel's vehicle obstructed? >> No. >> Which lane were you in, sir? >> I was in the number two lane. >> Okay. And which lane did you observe the Did you observe the vehicle in when it was following too close? >> Number three. >> Okay. Would you say that >> No, well, when she was following too close, she was in the number two lane as well. >> Okay. >> She went from the number three lane to the number two lane, followed the car too close, and then switched back to the number three lane. >> Okay. Was there Were there multiple cars that she followed too close to or just the one? >> Uh just the one. >> Okay. And so you had an unobstructed view of her front of her front bumper and the rear rear bumper of the car immediately in front of her, correct? >> Correct, by using my side mirror at the time. >> Okay, awesome. >> Cuz you see, Judge, objects in mirror are closer than they appear. So, you know, whatever I saw in my side mirrors, that's pretty much how it was. >> Thank you. No further questions. >> All right. Um I do have another just one more question. >> Go ahead. >> Um what was the kind of car that I was driving behind? >> She continues to set him up. Come on, Kerry, answer the question. >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> You're not sure what kind of car was in between my car and your car, but you're absolutely sure that I was following too close. Okay. >> Do you remember the color? >> No, I don't. >> He can't hear you. >> Okay. I have no questions. [snorts] >> All right. Um did the state have any additional witnesses to present? >> No, Your Honor. State's going to rest at this time. >> All right, Ms. Steele, did you wish to present evidence and testimony? >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes. All right, you understand that you're not required to present any evidence or testimony? >> Yes. >> All right, you're waiving your right to remain silent in order to auto offer evidence and testimony? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right, raise your right hand for me. Do you solemnly swear or affirm any testimony you give in this matter will be true? >> Yes. >> All right, you can put your hand down. Go ahead, tell me what you need me to know. >> Here we go. >> Okay, so um the day this happened, I stopped at the gas station. At the time I was six months pregnant. I stopped at the gas station to grab some water. I get out of the gas station, I turn right. As soon as I turn right, turn into a light. I pulled behind the police officer. >> Ooh. >> No other car was in front of me other than the police officer. >> Oh. >> When the light turn changed >> Now, I want you to pay attention to Lieutenant Jay Carey's eyes as she goes through this. He's got these rapid eye movements and he does this weird blinking thing. Watch this. Cuz she's going to tell a completely different story than Lieutenant Jay Carey. >> other than the police officer. When the light turn changed, it's like he wasn't moving. So, I put my signal on to get in the lane to the right of me. I got in the lane to the right of me. He then got in the lane behind me. And I looked in my rearview mirror and I'm like, he is driving so close to me. Like, he was so close. I could not see his tires. This is why I asked this question cuz in driver's training, they teach you you have to >> Look at his Look at his eyes. Look, look, look. >> I could not see his tires. This is why I asked this question cuz in driver's training, they teach you you have to at least be able to see the car's tires behind you. So, that's how I was able to determine that he was driving too close to me. It was not a car length behind me. So then, I'm like, okay. So, I put my signal on, get back in the left lane. He gets back in the left lane. So, I'm like, what is happening right now? Like, I was so confused as to what's happening. I'm like, am I >> I wonder if she honked at him and his feelings got hurt. >> in his way? What's going on? So then, I did get back into the right lane and when I went to get into the right lane, that's when he turned his light on and pulled me over. And I was confused as to one, why he chose to do that, um because >> Look at the guy in the upper right hand corner. This guy's going, uh I hadn't heard this. Uh what's going on here? Oh boy. >> I was Like I said, I was just confused. And he asked me I said I asked him I said why did you pull me over? And he said are you in a hurry or something like that? And I was like well I'm trying to get to my hair appointment because I was going to get my hair done for my baby shower. And he's like um okay and then asked for my information. And when he came back and told me one driving too close I'm like how's that driving too close when I pulled up behind you at a red light? So I literally was not driving you weren't driving the light was red. And then when the light changed colors you you didn't really take off. So I'm like okay let me get out of this man's way cuz I have somewhere I have to go and clearly he is does not. So that's when I got over. And also I have a 2024 Chevy Trax. My car you literally cannot switch lanes without putting your signal on cuz it will jerk you back into your lane. So for one I don't change lanes especially while I was six months pregnant without giving anybody proper notice because I wouldn't want to put myself or my son in danger. And then that's why I also asked what was the car because hmm there literally was not another car in front of me other than him and then when I got over for him to see all of these different lane changes he was right behind me and I did switch lanes that many times because he was driving so close up on my bumper to where he was correct. If I would have put on my brakes he would have hit me in the back of my car. >> Let me just say something real quick about the Chevy Trax. She said that she couldn't change lanes without activating her turn signal cuz the Chevy Trax wouldn't allow that. I just queried that it says yes you can physically switch lanes in a Chevy Trax without using your turn signal but the car's mechanical steering works normally. Doing so may trigger the vehicle's electronic safety sensors. If you drift across a line without signaling the car may give you a visual alert or a steering wheel seat vibration. The system might apply a small steering nudge to help keep you in your lane if it thinks the drift is accidental. It stays quiet if it detects active intentional steering. That's pretty That's That's interesting and probably a piece of information that should be considered. >> Any um questions, Mr. Tip Tip? >> No, Your Honor. >> All right. Anything else, Ms. um Steel? >> No, ma'am. No, Your Honor. >> Okay. Argument? >> Stay Stay we'll submit on the facts, Your Honor. >> All right. Ms. Steel, I find you not guilty of the offenses before the court. Each of you have given testimony in this case. Each person has um participated in sworn testimony. Without additional evidence, neither testimony is um has greater weight than the other. Um therefore, the court is not able to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed an offense in this case and find you not guilty on both offenses. >> Why is she talking all this stuff with her eyes closed? Number one. Number two. So, we see a complete shift in the last video we watched. If you missed that, I'll put that in the link for you below, but the judge just right off the bat took Sydney Steel's word for it against the testimony of the police officer. Now, I don't know if there's a history here. Maybe she understands that Lieutenant Jay Carey is a liar and has consistently lied under oath. He's a part of a black something called the Blackhawk unit. And um there was no evidence that this Jay Carey presented. And basically, Sydney Steel didn't present any evidence, either. It was basically the testimony of Sydney Steel against Lieutenant Jay Carey, and she chose to just believe Sydney Steel and make the judgment in her favor, which is a good thing. Because unless Jay Car- If a if a cop does not have evidence that you violated one of their stupid codes and ordinances, then it didn't happen. And that's how every judge should look at it. But because for the most part, a high percentage of the time, the judge sides with the cop when there's no other evidence involved, they will go with the cop's testimony of yours. It's kind of refreshing to see this kind of thing, and I don't know why she did it. There's no rhyme or reason. So, there's nothing we can sink our teeth into that says, "Okay, we can expect this kind of judgment the next time and the next time and the next time." This just seems like "Okay, this time we'll give you one." It's like going to the casino. "Okay, we'll we'll let them win on machines 10, 22, and 53." And that way, you know, people who want to come in and believe that they have a chance of winning will see that this person won $1,400, that person won $700, this person won won $2,563. And then, we give the impression that people are actually walking away with money. So, we'll just concede a little bit so we can get more money. I don't know if that's the game that the courts are playing right here, but it seems like they might want to play that game if they want to continue to uphold the illusion that any of this is legitimate, which it's not, because basically this is corporate traffic law, which operates in the minds of law enforcers and in the minds of judges as a higher law of the land that's than the supposed supreme law of the land. >> [bell]