A lawyer in Texas accidentally has a kitten filter to during a video conference with a judge and could not change it, and finally responds to a judge’s question about why he is being addressed by a digital cat by saying, ‘I’m live here. I’m not a cat. ‘
The coronavirus has caused many computer accidents as many of the world workers are adapting to work from home in the face of the pandemic. They ranged from the unintentional hilarious to the career.
But attorney Rod Ponton’s accidental conversion into a big-eyed baby cat turns out to be viral immortality.
Judge Roy Ferguson of Texas’ 394th Judicial District told Ponton: “I believe you have turned on a filter in the video settings. You may want to …”
The Pontoon / kitten entity then interrupts Ferguson in a panicked pull: “Can you hear me, judge?”
Ferguson replies, ‘I can hear you. I think it’s a filter … ”
“It is,” responds the cat-faced Ponton. ‘And I do not know how to remove it. I have my assistant here, she’s trying it, but I’m willing to go on with it … I’m live here. I’m not a cat. ‘
Ferguson deadpans: “I can see it.”
In the manner of good judges everywhere, Ferguson wanted to use the example of fallibility between humans and cats as a teachable moment. He tweeted: “If a child has used your computer, check the ‘Zoom video options’ before joining a virtual trial to make sure the filters are off. ‘
He added: ‘These fun moments are a by-product of the legal profession’s commitment to ensuring that the legal system continues to function in these difficult times. All involved treated it with dignity, and the filtered advocate showed incredible mercy. True professionalism all around! ”