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Special magistrate dismisses sidewalk-parking citation after respondent says he sold the truck
Summary
A special magistrate dismissed a sidewalk-parking citation against John Eugene Reed after Reed testified he sold the vehicle in August and presented a canceled registration; the city’s photographic evidence and a VIN check were entered but the magistrate found Reed did not own or drive the vehicle at the time.
A special magistrate on Nov. 6 dismissed a parking citation against John Eugene Reed after Reed testified he sold the truck and canceled its registration.
John Eugene Reed, the respondent in case PK2024-99, told the court he sold the vehicle in August and provided a digital copy of the cancelled registration. Reed said he had no written bill of sale but offered to pay the $78 total fine if the magistrate found against him. "I sold this vehicle," Reed said. "I did cancel the registration." He identified the buyer as Jamie Sutherland, whom he said claimed to live in Fort Pierce, and gave a phone number to the court.
City testimony and photographs were entered into evidence to show the vehicle was parked on a sidewalk on Aug. 29, 2024. The city's witness confirmed taking the photographs and said a VIN check matched the name on file. The magistrate said she reviewed the testimony and documents and found Reed did not own or drive the vehicle at the time. "I find that based on your testimony under oath and the documentation you've provided that you did not own the vehicle at the time and were not driving it, so I will dismiss the interaction," the special magistrate said.
Reed thanked the court after the dismissal. No fine was imposed in this case.
