Court Opinion

ID: 4646189
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-12-23 20:02:56.934036+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:00:56.730760
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER

                                                  Electronically Filed
                                                  Intermediate Court of Appeals
                                                  CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX
                                                  23-DEC-2020
                                                  08:02 AM
                                                  Dkt. 71 MO
                           NO.   CAAP-XX-XXXXXXX

                 IN THE INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS

                         OF THE STATE OF HAWAI#I

                         CAIN AND HERREN, ALC,
             Plaintiff/Counterclaim-Defendant/Appellee,
                                   v.
                           JASON SAMUEL KING,
              Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff/Appellant

         APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE SECOND CIRCUIT
                       (DC-CIVIL NO. 16-1-1016)

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION
         (By: Ginoza, Chief Judge, Leonard and Nakasone, JJ.)

          Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff/Appellant, Jason
Samuel King (King) appeals from the District Court of the Second
Circuit's1 (district court) August 26, 2016 judgment in favor of
Plaintiff/Counterclaim-Defendant/Appellee law firm, Cain &
Herren, ALC (Firm), and against King.
          On appeal, King, who proceeded pro se at trial, argues
that the district court erred by (1) denying his right to due
process by refusing to allow him to present his personal
testimony or any other evidence in support of his defense to the
Firm's assumpsit claim and in support of his counterclaim, (2)
refusing to allow his witness to testify and ruling such
testimony was not relevant, and (3) awarding judgment to the Firm

     1
            The Honorable Adrianne N. Heely presided.
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by disregarding material testimony, and the existence of the
counterclaim.
          Upon review of the record on appeal and relevant legal
authorities, giving due consideration to the issues raised and
arguments advanced by the parties, we vacate the Judgment and
remand for a new trial for the reasons set forth herein.

                           I.   Background
          The Firm filed an assumpsit claim against King on May
23, 2016, for unpaid legal fees in the amount of $9,600.88. On
June 13, 2016, King, proceeding pro se, filed a counterclaim
alleging the firm owed King $15,000, which the Firm denied.
          The district court set a bench trial for July 25, 2016.
The Firm identified as witnesses, associate attorney Michael
Collins (Associate Collins), the Firm bookkeeper Cindy Stewart
(Bookkeeper), and any witnesses on King's witness list.      King's
witness list consisted of himself, Associate Collins, Bookkeeper,
and Firm partner David Cain (Partner Cain). King issued
subpoenas for Partner Cain and Bookkeeper.
          At the outset of trial, in response to the district
court's questions, King explained that his counterclaim was for
breach of contract, and that the amount represented the amount
which the Firm had over-billed him. At that time, the Firm
informed the court that King had subpoenaed Partner Cain,
requested that King tell the court when he wished to call Partner
Cain as a witness, and that Partner Cain would be available
within five minutes. The Firm also stated it would be requesting
an offer of proof as to Partner Cain, as the Firm felt that the
testimony may not be relevant.
          In his opening statement, King asserted that the Firm
provided "shoddy representation" and that King made several
attempts to meet with the Firm to address mistakes and
overbilling by the Firm, which was the basis of his counterclaim
for $15,000. King argued that he requested to meet with Partner
Cain about King's complaints about the billing and Collins'
alleged incompetency, but Partner Cain never responded.

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          During the trial, the Firm presented its witnesses,
Associate Collins and Bookkeeper, to establish the remaining
balance due, through the fee agreement and invoices. King
established through cross-examination that in March 2016,
Associate Collins, King, and Bookkeeper did meet to address,
inter alia, billing and purported mistakes in billing, Collins'
alleged slow pace, and the possibility of adjusting King's
balance due. Bookkeeper testified that her understanding at the
end of that meeting, was that King was going to mark invoices
indicating where he had questions or concerns. King elicited
from Bookkeeper, that King had asked to meet with Partner Cain on
four separate occasions regarding what King felt were errors,
mistakes, and problems with the service from Associate Collins.
          During the Firm's presentation of evidence, the
district court indicated, more than once, that King would have an
opportunity to testify and present his own case. During
discussions regarding scheduling of further trial in the event
trial could not be concluded the same day, the district court
indicated that King would be given sufficient time for his "right
to his day in court," and that the court would continue the trial
to another day if necessary. The Firm concluded its case some
time after 4:00 p.m.2 King then requested to call his witness,

      2
            The court noted the approximate 4:00 p.m. time, shortly
before the Firm rested its case, as follows:

                  THE COURT: And just a few more questions.    I see it's
            coming up on the 4 o'clock hour.
                  But there is some testimony that conversations were
            had that you were going to credit Mr. King for some time
            in an amount of thousands of dollars. Is that – do you
            recall any nature of that conversation?

                  THE WITNESS [(Associate Collins)]: I can tell you that
            as an associate attorney, I'm not authorized to negotiate a
            forgiveness of debt. That –
                  THE COURT:   Do you remember that conversation at all?

                  THE WITNESS: To be honest, your Honor, I don't remember
            the specifics of that conversation.
                  THE COURT:   Okay. Thanks.
                                                                 (continued...)

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Firm Partner Cain, to the stand, which the district court denied
after hearing argument from both sides.3 The court ruled Partner
Cain's testimony not relevant to the Firm's assumpsit claim or
King's counterclaim. The district court indicated that it felt
that it "ha[d] enough to rule", and inquired about closing
arguments. Without addressing King's presentation of evidence,
on either the Firm's claim or King's counterclaim, the court
asked both sides if they would "waive closing arguments[.]"
          King agreed, on condition, stating, "No, let's do our
closing arguments. And if we can wrap this up today, I'm open to
that, your Honor."   The Firm agreed to waive its closing
argument but requested rebuttal to King's closing argument, to
which the district court agreed. Then, without hearing King's
closing, the court ruled against King, stating that it would
"deny the counterclaim" and found in favor of the Firm for a

      2
       (...continued)
                  THE WITNESS:     Okay.

                  THE COURT: So I think we should break now. Or how
            many more witnesses do you have? Otherwise, I'm – if you
            folks are ready to submit on what I've heard so far –
                  [FIRM'S COUNSEL]: We -- we are done and we rest.
            And we'd move for a judgment on the testimony before the
            Court in favor of the plaintiff.
            The transcript of the trial proceedings does not contain time
references showing the beginning and end of trial, but only notes the times
of recesses. The court minutes of the proceedings also do not contain any
time entries, except to note that trial was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., but
the minutes do not indicate what time this case was actually called.

      3
            The following occurred with respect to King's attempt to call
Partner Cain as a witness:
                  MR. KING: I would like to call David Cain on the witness
            stand, your Honor.
                  THE COURT:     What’s the relevance of that?
                  MR. KING: To establish the incompetence in the
            representation that I received; to establish that I had reached
            out on multiple occasions to clear up this issue in a good way
            and was denied the respect of even a return phone call; to
            establish what David Cain's true intentions were in this
            relationship with me; to establish the lies that he told me
            right to my face, that I recorded; to establish a lot of shady
            practices going on between Cain & Herren and myself.

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reduced amount. King pointed out that he was denied closing
arguments before the court ruled, and the district court
apologized. King presented his closing argument, after which the
district court reiterated the same ruling in favor of the Firm.
This sequence of events happened as follows:

                THE COURT: Okay. Well, I'm going to respectfully
          deny the request to call Mr. Cain as a witness. I don't
          think it's relevant to this particular claim of the
          assumpsit or the counterclaim of assumpsit.

                So, I'll note your objections, though, and your
          –- and I will hear closing arguments. I think I have
          enough to rule. Or if you want to waive closing
          arguments -–
                MR. KING:     Let's do it.

                THE COURT:     –- then I'll --

                [FIRM'S COUNSEL]:     Let's waive closing arguments?
                MR. KING: No, let's do our closing arguments. And if
          we can wrap this up today, I'm open to that, your Honor.

                [FIRM'S COUNSEL]: And, your Honor – your Honor, I
          would be happy to waive closing –- I made an extensive
          opening –- and then reserve the right to have a rebuttal
          closing for a few minutes after Mr. King.

                THE COURT: Okay. Thanks. I heard from the
          witnesses, Ms. Christine Stewart as well as Ms. -– or Cindy
          Stewart as well as Mr. Collins. I considered the Exhibits 1
          -– Plaintiff's Exhibits 1 as well as Exhibit 3 through 29,
          as well as reviewed the pleadings and files as well as the
          submitted defense exhibits, and I'm going to, respectfully,
          deny the counterclaim.

                However, I do find credible Mr. Collins as well as
          Ms. Stewart . . . . I'm going to find in favor of the
          plaintiff in the amount of $7,696.41.
                This is the amount they are claiming minus the 375
          that is unexplainable as well as the 1,972 –- $1,900.72,
          which is unexplainable, too.
                So, [Firm's counsel], may you prepare the order.
                I appreciate everyone working hard on this as well as
          being civil with each other, but I understand your
          frustration as well as your arguments, Mr. King. But I've
          ruled and I will –
                MR. KING:     Excuse me. Did –-
                [CLERK]:     Can you repeat the –-

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                  MR. KING: Was I just denied my closing argument? I
            thought that I would –- she waived hers. I thought I was
            going to give a closing argument. What just happened there?

                  THE COURT: Okay. Well, quick closing argument, then.
            I thought you both were waiving.

                  Mr. KING:    No. No.
                  THE COURT:    So I apologize, but –

                  MR. KING: Well, it sounds like you've already
            made up your mind, your Honor. I mean, is there even any
            point in me wasting all of our time with a closing
            argument?

                  THE COURT: Well, I've given you the opportunity
            to do so, but I'm (inaudible) --
                  MR. KING:    Yes, I would like that opportunity,
            please.
                  THE COURT:    Yes, please.

                  MR. KING: I made every opportunity to clear
            up my bill with these people. The evidence shows me
            reaching out to them on multiple occasions, saying, hey,
            there's gross errors on my billing. Can I please sit
            down with someone to clear this up? On no occasion would
            they even grant me that.

                  I reached out to the leader of the firm. He
            didn't even return a phone call. I -- my evidence clearly
            shows a gross overbilling, where he's billing me an hour
            and a half to type out five sentences that came from a
            form letter. I think this clearly shows gross overbilling.

            . . . .

          King made further objections after the district court's
ruling, saying that he had properly subpoenaed his witness, that
he did not understand why the district court did not allow him to
call his witness, and protested, "You're not even letting me
argue my case, your Honor."4

      4
            The following exchange occurred after the court’s second ruling,
until the court was adjourned:
                  [THE COURT:] So the judgment will be entered as filed
            unless if you want to -- if Cain & Herren wants to work out
            something with Mr. King before filing the judgment, but I'm
            inclined to stick with my original ruling, the amount of
            7,696.41, which represents the original claim minus the 19
             -- or sorry.

                  MR. KING:    I object, your Honor. You know –
                                                                     (continued...)

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                        II.     Standards of Review

      A.   Evidentiary Rulings

           Different standards of review must be applied to
      trial court decisions regarding the admissibility of
      evidence, depending on the requirements of the particular
      rule of evidence at issue. When application of a
      particular evidentiary rule can yield only one correct
      result, the proper standard for appellate review is the
      right/wrong standard.

           Evidentiary decisions based on HRE Rule 403,[5]
      which require a "judgment call" on the part of the trial
      court, are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. The trial
      court abuses its discretion when it clearly exceeds the
      bounds of reason or disregards rules or principles of law
      or practice to the substantial detriment of a party
      litigant.

      4
       (...continued)
                  THE COURT:    Sorry.

                  MR. KING: -- David Cain was important to my case. I
                  did -- I followed the right procedure on subpoenaing
                  him as a witness. This is wrong. David Cain, when I met
                  with him, he wouldn't even look at my evidence. He
                  wouldn't listen to my evidence. All he did was insult me.

                  This is wrong, your Honor. This is the same thing, with
                  all due respect, that you did to me in the rooster case.
                  You're not even letting me argue my case, your Honor.

                  THE COURT:    Sir, you had the whole day to argue and I
                  didn't --
                  MR. KING:    Actually, no, I didn't.

                  . . . .
                   MR. KING: How is it that I'm not allowed to call my
            witness? How is it that you've just decided that, no, that's
            not important? It's very important, with all due respect, your
            Honor.

      5

            Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice,
            confusion, or waste of time. Although relevant, evidence
            may be excluded if its probative value is substantially
            outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion
            of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations
            of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of
            cumulative evidence.
Hawai#i Rules of Evidence (HRE) Rule 403.

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Samson v. Nahulu, 136 Hawai#i 415, 425, 363 P.3d 263, 273 (2015)
(format altered) (footnote added) (brackets, ellipses, quotation
marks, citations omitted).

     B.   Constitutional Law
           "Questions of constitutional law are reviewed de novo,
under the right/wrong standard." Matter of Gas Company, LLC, 147
Hawai#i 186, 198, 465 P.3d 633, 645 (2020) (citing Blair v.
Harris, 98 Hawai#i 176, 178, 45 P.3d 798, 800 (2002)). "We
review questions of constitutional law under the right/wrong
standard by exercising our independent judgment based on the
facts of the case." Andrade v. County of Hawai#i, 145 Hawai#i 265,
274, 451 P.3d 1, 10 (2019) (quoting Minton v. Quintal, 131
Hawai#i 167, 184, 317 P.3d 1, 18 (2013)).

                          III. Discussion
     A.    The district court erred in precluding King from
           presenting his witness.

          King argues that the district court erred in refusing
to allow King to present Partner Cain's testimony because such
testimony was relevant to King's argument that there was an
agreement between Partner Cain and King to reduce the amount King
owed. King also argues that Partner Cain was a necessary witness
regarding King's counterclaim for overbiling and incompetent
represention. The Firm's counsel objected under HRE Rule 408,6

     6
           HRE Rule 408 provides:
                 Evidence of (1) furnishing or offering or promising
           to furnish, or (2) accepting or offering or promising to
           accept, a valuable consideration in compromising or
           attempting to compromise a claim which was disputed as to
           either validity or amount, or (3) mediation or attempts to
           mediate a claim which was disputed, is not admissible to
           prove liability for or invalidity of the claim or its
           amount. Evidence of conduct or statements made in
           compromise negotiations or mediation proceedings is likewise
           not admissible. This rule does not require the exclusion of
           any evidence otherwise discoverable merely because it is
           presented in the course of compromise negotiations or
           mediation proceedings. This rule also does not require
           exclusion when the evidence is offered for another purpose,
                                                               (continued...)

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arguing that any discussions between Partner Cain and King were
in the context of compromise, and that a tape-recorded
conversation between King and Partner Cain, which King recorded
without the consent of Partner Cain, was inadmissible. Without
specifically ruling on these objections, the district court found
Partner Cain's testimony not "relevant" to the claim or
counterclaim.
          While King's offer of proof as a pro se party was
argumentative, conclusory, and appeared to contain irrelevant
areas of potential examination, the district court was aware that
King's theory of defense was that the Firm had over-billed him
and that King disputed the amount owed. Through cross-
examination, King had adduced evidence of his multiple attempts
to discuss with Partner Cain his issues with the quality of the
legal services, and a possible alleged adjustment to King's bill
due to King's dissatisfaction with Associate Collins' pace of
work.
          Rather than exclude Partner Cain's testimony entirely,
the district court should have allowed King to call Partner Cain
as to King's claim of being overbilled for incompetent
representation, which would be relevant under HRE Rule 402,7 to
proving or disproving the amount of the Firm's claim and/or with
regard to King's counterclaim. King should have been allowed to
make this showing by calling Partner Cain as a witness, subject
to the court curtailing any objectionable aspects of the
testimony under HRE Rule 4038 or other applicable evidentiary

      6
       (...continued)
            such as proving bias or prejudice of a witness, negativing
            a contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct
            a criminal investigation or prosecution.

      7
            HRE Rule 402 provides, "All relevant evidence is admissible,
except as otherwise provided by the Constitutions of the United States and the
State of Hawai#i, by statute, by these rules, or by other rules adopted by the
supreme court. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible."
      8
            HRE Rule 403 provides, "Although relevant, evidence may be
excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of
unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by
                                                                (continued...)

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rules. While a pro se party must comply with evidentiary rules,
a more flexible approach based on King's offer of proof as a
layperson, was warranted. See Lepere v. United Pub. Workers,
Local 646, AFL-CIO, 77 Hawai#i 471, 473 n.2, 887 P.2d 1029, 1031
n.2 (1995) (recognizing that the vast majority of courts tend to
hold pro se litigants to a lower standard of accountability than
attorneys (citations, internal quotation marks, and original
brackets omitted)). Further, a trial court acting as a
factfinder in a bench trial "is presumed not to be influenced by
incompetent evidence." State v. Antone, 62 Haw. 346, 355, 615
P.2d 101, 108 (1980). Therefore, we conclude that the district
court erred in its wholesale preclusion of Partner Cain's
testimony.

      B.    King was deprived of due process when the district
            court concluded the trial without allowing King an
            opportunity to present evidence.

          A "fair trial in a fair tribunal is a basic requirement
of due process." Mauna Kea Anaina Hou v. Bd. of Land & Nat.
Res., 136 Hawai#i 376, 380, 363 P.3d 224, 228 (2015) (quoting
Sifagaloa v. Bd. of Trs. of Emps.' Ret. Sys., 74 Haw. 181, 189,
840 P.2d 367, 371 (1992) (quoting In re Murchison, 349 U.S. 133,
136 (1955))). The specifics of that guarantee can vary depending
on the circumstances, id., and due process is not a fixed concept
requiring a specific procedural course in every situation.
Medeiros v. Hawai#i Cty. Planning Comm'n, 8 Haw. App. 183, 196,
797 P.2d 59, 66 (1990) (quoting Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S.
471, 481 (1972)). "[D]ue process is flexible and calls for such
procedural protections as the particular situation demands." Id.
          HRE Rule 611 vests the trial court with the discretion
to control the trial proceedings before it, by managing the order
of witnesses and the presentation of evidence in order to "(1)
make interrogation and presentation effective for the

      8
       (...continued)
considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of
cumulative evidence."

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ascertainment of the truth, (2) avoid needless consumption of
time, and (3) protect witnesses from harassment or undue
embarrassment." Doe v. Doe, 98 Hawai#i 144, 155, 44 P.3d 1085,
1096 (2002) (quoting HRE Rule 611). While a trial court has the
authority to set reasonable time limits for trials, this
discretion is not unlimited and "must be balanced against the
rights of the parties to present their cases on the merits." Id.
at 155 n.12, 44 P.3d at 1096 n.12.
           In this case, the Firm was able to present its entire
case starting from approximately 10:00 a.m.9 resuming at 2:00
p.m. after a lunch recess,10 and resting at about 4:00 p.m. Even
though the district court, throughout the trial, had informed and
assured King that he would have an opportunity to present his
case, that he would have his "day in court", that he would be
able to explain or expand on evidence during his case rather than
on cross-examination, none of this occurred. King was not
allowed to present his own direct testimony under oath. King was
not allowed to present his witness Partner Cain, even though Cain
had been subpoenaed and was on a five-minute on-call notice to
appear to testify. In ruling against King on the Firm's claim
and King's counterclaim, the district court also made credibility
findings in favor of the Firm's two witnesses who had testified,
Associate Collins and Bookkeeper.
           In this case, King was denied an opportunity to present
his case on the counterclaim or defend against the Firm's claim,
consistent with District Court procedural rules governing trial.
See Rules of the District Courts of the State of Hawai#i Rule
17;11 Hawai#i District Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 39.1.12

      9
            The court minutes reflect that the trial was scheduled for 10:00
a.m. The trial transcript indicates the case was called some time before
10:19 a.m., and a recess was taken from 10:19 a.m. to 10:24 a.m., after which
the parties presented opening statements.
      10
            Lunch recess was taken 11:51 a.m. to 2:29 p.m., for lunch and so
the court could attend to other matters at 1:30 p.m.
      11
             Rule 17(a) of the Rules of the District Courts of the State of
Hawai#i provides as follows:
                                                                 (continued...)

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This was not a situation like Doe, supra, where the time limits
imposed by the trial court were found to be unreasonable,
constituting an abuse of discretion. Here, no case, not even an
abbreviated or time-limited one, was permitted to be presented by
King. Therefore, we conclude that King was deprived of due
process under these circumstances. Because we vacate the
Judgment on this ground, a new trial is warranted, and King's
remaining point of error is moot.

      11
           (...continued)
                (a) Sequence of presentation. Subject to the orders of the
                court, which may alter the sequence of presentation of the
                case when there are numerous parties or for other reasons:
                      (1) The plaintiff (or the prosecuting officer in a
                criminal case) shall have the right to make an opening
                statement. The defendant shall also have the right to make an
                opening statement, either immediately after the plaintiff's or
                the prosecuting officer's statement or at the beginning of
                defendant's case.
                      (2) the plaintiff or prosecuting officer shall produce
                the evidence on his or her part.
                      (3) The defendant may then open the defense and offer
                evidence in support thereof.
                      (4) The parties may then respectively offer rebutting
                evidence only.
                      (5) When the presentation of evidence is concluded,
                unless the case is submitted on either side or both sides
                without argument, the plaintiff or prosecuting officer shall
                open the argument; the defendant may then reply; and the
                plaintiff or prosecuting officer may conclude the argument,
                and in the conclusion shall confine themselves to answering
                any new matter or arguments presented by the defendant.
      12
               Hawai#i District Court Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 39.1(a) reads
as follows:

                (a) Subject to the order of the court, the sequence of
               presentation of the case shall be as follows:
                     (1) The plaintiff shall have the right to make an
               opening statement. The defendant shall also have the right to
               make an opening statement, either immediately after the
               plaintiff's statement or at the beginning of the defendant's
               case.
                     (2) After the opening statement or statements the
               plaintiff shall produce the evidence on the plaintiffs part.
                     (3) The defendant may then open the defense and offer
               the defendant's evidence in support thereof.
                     (4) The parties may then respectively offer rebutting
               evidence only.
                     (5) When the evidence is concluded, unless the case is
               submitted on either side or both sides without argument, the
               plaintiff shall open the argument; the defendant may then
               reply: and the plaintiff may conclude the argument, and in the
               conclusion shall confine itself to answering any new matter or
               arguments presented by the defendant.

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                            IV. Conclusion

          Based on the foregoing, the August 26, 2016 judgment is
vacated, and this matter is remanded for a new trial.
          DATED: Honolulu, Hawai#i, December 23, 2020.

On the briefs:
                                       /s/ Lisa M. Ginoza
Brianne L.O. Wong Leong,               Chief Judge
Elizabeth S. Cuccia,
(Cain & Herren, ALC)                   /s/ Katherine G. Leonard
for Plaintiff/Counter-                 Associate Judge
claim-Defendant/Appellee
                                       /s/ Karen T. Nakasone
Peter Knapman                          Associate Judge
for Defendant/Counter-
claim-Plaintiff/Appellant

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