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Court hearings can be emotionally charged affairs. But even in such difficult moments, humor can still be found.
What Happened?
Texas lawyer Rod Ponton learned the hard way that it’s always wise to double check zoom filters before any hearing. Ponton entered his virtual court case before realizing he’d accidentally put on an animal filter by accident while trying to connect his headset, only later realizing his mistake when his call had already begun.
Video footage of this incident quickly went viral, as it captures perfectly the moment of confusion as the lawyer attempted to figure out how to remove his filter.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in some bizarre mishaps. From priests mistakenly livestreaming mass as boxers to reporters appearing on screen as wizards, there have been plenty of unexpected moments due to zoom slipups resulting in odd-ball moments on social media – yet all involved handled themselves with dignity and professionalism throughout these episodes.
Judge’s Response
Court hearings can be dramatic events with lives at stake. But in such an atmosphere comes an unlikely sight: a CGI cat with eyes filled with sadness and a small mouth moving plaintively makes an unexpected and delightful appearance, drawing delight from its juxtaposition to such serious proceedings.
Rod Ponton, the lawyer who appeared as a cat during zoom call, was clearly mortified at his appearance on screen. To try and switch off his filter he hired his assistant but unfortunately they were unsuccessful in doing so.
Judge Ferguson anticipated this video would go viral and issued his own public service announcement via Twitter, encouraging anyone appearing in virtual court to check Zoom video options to ensure no filters were enabled – especially given how often coronavirus causes video call slipups! Certainly an insightful piece of advice!
Cat’s Response
An otherwise serious hearing was suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted by a cat, providing a comic relief in a year marked by coronavirus pandemic.
This video serves as an excellent illustration of the common errors and gaffes seen during Zoom calls, such as when one lawyer impersonated a cat! Unfortunately, such mishaps have become all too frequent within virtual courtrooms.
Judge Roy Ferguson took advantage of the incident to issue a public service announcement regarding Zoom: if your child has used your computer, check Zoom video options before joining any virtual hearing to ensure filters are off,” tweeted Judge Ferguson. Additionally, Rod Ponton did not realize he had been caught on camera as a cat until after joining. That should serve as a lesson to us all!
Cat’s Final Words
Losing a beloved cat is heartbreaking and often takes some time for us to adjust, yet losing one doesn’t need to be an unpleasant experience – one mobile hospice vet took to TikTok to inform pet owners how they can cherish their felines’ final days and make them memorable and meaningful.
Faith Banks shared two words she loathes hearing as pets nearing death, as she reminded people their deceased pets are supporting and guiding their journey on Earth. Furthermore, she encouraged everyone to embrace nature and travel more.
