On Wednesday, though, Sponberg's jury trial evaporated. Acting as his own attorney, Sponberg had wanted to challenge the ability of banks and mortgage companies to take possession of previously abandoned homes. He said he planned to call Mayor Charlie Hales and Mayor-elect Ted Wheeler as witnesses. ("I hadn't asked them yet, but I had every intention to," says Sponberg. "I'm sure Ted and Mayor Hales would have testified.")