In the last bizarre occurrence of the Zoom court hearing that took place on Thursday, a plastic surgeon conducted his trial in the traffic court during surgery, according to NBC News.
Sacramento doctor Scott Green appeared virtually in aprons and gloves, much to the surprise of the court clerk.
“Hello, Mr. Green? Are you available for the test?” The clerk asked, according to the footage shared by The Sacramento Bee. “Does it look like you’re in an operating room right now?”
The doctor assured the clerk that he was fine to proceed.
“I am, sir,” said Green.
He continued, “Yes, I am in an operating room now. I am available for trial. Go ahead.”
Shortly after Sacramento Superior Court Commissioner Gary Link joined Zoom’s hearing, he asked for a postponement, saying he was uncomfortable with the idea that the doctor was undergoing surgery in the middle.
“Unless I’m mistaken, I’m seeing a defendant who is in the middle of an operating room, looking like he is actively involved in providing services to a patient,” he said. “Is that correct, Mr. Green?”
Green once again confirmed that he was in the middle of surgery, but that another doctor in the room was currently conducting the patient’s operation.
“I have another surgeon here who is doing the surgery with me, so I can stay here and allow them to do the surgery too,” replied Green.
Despite Green’s assurance that the court was free to proceed, Link closed the hearing, citing the patient’s well-being.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think it’s appropriate,” commented Link, noting that they would suggest a different date for when Green “was not actively involved or participating in and meeting a patient’s needs.”
Green apologized for the incident, saying the timing of the surgery did not always go as planned.
Link concluded the audience by saying, “It happens. We want to keep people healthy, we want to keep them alive. This is important.”
The hearing was broadcast live and posted on YouTube as specified by law, as it is mandatory that traffic tests be made public, noted The Sacramento Bee.
The incident occurred weeks after a virtual court hearing in Texas was interrupted after a lawyer managed to get stuck with a cat filter covering his face.