Posted on 03/24/2016 12:37:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A man in North Carolina was arrested for failing to return a 2002 VHS rental movie.
James Meyers told WSOC-TV that he was driving his daughter to school earlier this week when he was pulled over for a broken tail light.
When the officer ran his license, the officer found Meyers had a warrant for his arrest for failure to return rental property, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200.
“The officer said, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this but there’s a warrant out for your arrest from 2002. Apparently you rented the movie “Freddy Got Fingered” and never returned it.’ I thought he was joking,” said Meyers.
According to WSOC-TV, the officer let Meyers take his daughter to school and go to work, but made him promise to turn himself into the police department later that day.
At the end of the day, Meyers went to the police department and was arrested.
“For the first time, I got put in handcuffs,” said Meyers.
The star of the movie Meyers forgot to return, Tom Green, heard about his situation and reached out to him.
The comedian told the Daily News that he would be willing to help Meyers out as long as it didn’t cost an outrageous sum.
“If it’s 200 bucks of course I’ll pay it for him, just for the principle of the thing,” Green said.
Meyers told WSOC-TV that he vaguely remembers renting the VHS movie from the store that has since closed.
Meyers court date is set for April 27.
And if he had destroyed the tape, wouldn't it be justifiable, given the movie?
The DA and the Judge need to toss this case in the can.
It depends, did he forget to rewind it?
“Apparently you rented the movie “Freddy Got Fingered” and never returned it.”
The man did a public service, let’s get him a commendation!
VHS? Who uses these anymore?
What’s next...the 8-track?
Holy cow.
I failed to rewind way back when. Will they give me the electric chair or the firing squad?
I sentence him to watching the film 500 times, with no cheating.
if you can’t do the time you better rewind!
Man has assets. State has needs. Both need to be satisfied by an ever decreasing middle class.
Where is the library cop from Seinfeld?
that’s longer than the rape statute in many states.
but if he rented “Freddy got Fingered” he deserves five years.
One of my daughters was arrested for library fines in Copperas Cove, Texas. She spent five days in jail to cover the fines. To this day she still has the book.
What’s next?
Laser disc!
I would agree, toss it entirely. No “court fees” either. Years ago I had a misdemeanor dismissed, still had to pay $65.00 in fees, what a scam.
It sounds like the filed the charge within the statute of limitations they just never served the warrant or notified the defendant. If he wasn't concealing himself (and it doesn't sound like he was) I think the applicable legal argument would be denial of a speedy trial. In any event, if the store is now closed he should just have the case set for trial and the prosecutor probably can't come up with the evidence to make his case at this point.
“Let me tell you something, funny boy... You know that little stamp? The one that says New York Public Library? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole helluva lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I’ve seen your type before — flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking... Why’s this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me.... Maybe. Sure, we’re too old to change the world. What about that kid, sitting down, opening a book right now in a branch of the local library and finding pictures of pee-pees and wee-wees in The Cat in the Hat and The Five Chinese Brothers. Doesn’t he deserve better? Look, if you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you’d better think again. This is about that kid’s right to read a book without getting his mind warped. Or maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld... Maybe that’s how you get your kicks... You and your goodtime buddies... I’ve got a flash for you, joy boy. Partytime is over.”
The prosecutor will most likely dismiss this. He may have to pay the cost of the video and pay a late fee if the business he rented it from is still around. But not a late fee for 14 years though. This case will be a joke with the lawyers on the day of the pretrial settlement conference. Unless he has done more “crimes” since 2002.
It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t in the “New Rentals” section. I’ve been waiting for this one!
They wouldn’t have done that at Nurnberg.
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