Sir - would you state your name and age?
Matthew Bartlett - 28 years old.
Mr. Bartlett I am going to have the court deputy show you these 3 pictures which will be Court's Deposit Exhibit 1.
The person in the photo is me.
What is the symbol you are projecting?
Using my middle finger, and I am sorry.
And what does that mean?
The F word to some.
What does it mean to you?
To use the F word to someone.
And who were you
Mr. Ashton
And what was he doing at that time?
I don't know.
Court was in session was it not?
Yes
Do you see this sign?
Yes Sir.
Judge read the sign. How far have you gone in school?
12th grade.
Can you read and write?
Yes.
Did you not read the sign?
I have read it.
And when you came in this morning did the court Deputy re acquaint you?
Yes sir.
What did he say?
There shalt not be any gestures or expressions.
Was there anything you did not understand?
No, Sir.
Sir, pursuant to Rule .... Could you tell this court why you should not be held in contempt of court for failing to comply with posted signage and oral advice of court Deputies why you should not be held in contempt of court for pointing your index finger to JA who was at the podium at the time in open court while the court was in session.
I am surely sorry - this is something really stupid - and I don't understand why I did it. I apologize.
There is a reason why you extended JA the courtesy of your index finger - was there something he did - or do you think highly or lowly of Mr. Ashton.
I don't think lowly of him. It was a stupid thing.
Do you recall if the jury was in?
Yes they were.
Do you know what would have happened if the jury had seen you extending your finger?
No I don't.
Do you care to present any evidence of excuse or mitigating circumstances?
I jut apologize for doing this. It was a stupid thing I did.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.
Are you employed?
Yes sir.
Where?
I am a server at TGIF at Mellenia. I apologize for doing this.
Young man do you realize that the tax payers of the state of Florida have expended a great deal of money in putting o this trail and your actions could have jeopardized all of the work that the attorneys have done in this case?
Yes, sir.
One of the reason I had the signs posted and I have the deputies reiterate them.
Where do you live, sir? Do you live alone or with your parents?
I live alone.
At this time I will adjudge you to be guilty of the crime of direct criminal contempt. I will sentence you to 6 days in the Orange County Jail, impose a fine of $400 along with the applicable court costs.
How long do you need to pay the fine?
How much is the fine?
$400 plus $223.
I could pay it immediately.
I will give you 6 months to have it paid. Madam clerk - divide that total up in 6 months, starting August 1 - equal installments for a period of 6 payments.
Sir you have a right to appeal provided you file a written notice of appeal. If you cannot afford the services of an attorney, the court will appoint one. Do you wish to appeal?
Yes.
Raise your right hand (well you can't - because he is handcuffed)
What is your annual income?
Around $15,000 a year. His monthly expenses are around $1500. He has $160 in checking and $16 in savings. He has nothing of value of more than $4,000.