She Sued for Her Deposit After Discovering an Illegal Utility Scam! | Judge Faith

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:15]Today on Judge Faith, a landlord gets gangster.

[00:00:20]>> There's wires from the box all the way out to the electrical pole in the alley with the illegal hookup. She knew the condition of the house. I didn't have the house set up to rent yet. Was the electricity hooked up illegally? No, I did not have a legal hookup.

[00:00:33]>> You say, "Meet me at my house. Tell me what time and I will be there." What kind of landlord are you? What What do you do when somebody's late on the rent?

[00:00:41]>> Faith Jenkins. Her distinguished legal career began when she graduated first in her law school class. She quickly became a tough New York City prosecutor and then a preeminent legal analyst on cable news. And now she's the judge in her own courtroom. Her cases are real and her rulings are final. She is Judge Faith.

[00:01:04]Plaintiff Brenda Brown says she refused to move into the defendant's rental home because the promised improvements weren't made. She's suing for the return of her security deposit. Defendant Katherine Balmer says her home was ready, but Brenda backed out at the last minute, so she's keeping the deposit as an inconvenience fee. She's counted suing for expenses and defamation of character.

[00:01:28]>> All rise. Court is in session. The honorable judge Faith Jenkins presiding.

[00:01:36]>> Please be seated. Your honor, the litigants have been sworn in. This is the case of Brown versus Palmer.

[00:01:41]>> Thank you, Juan.

[00:01:43]>> Brenda Brown.

[00:01:44]>> Yes.

[00:01:44]>> You are suing the defendant, Katherine Palmer.

[00:01:46]>> Yes.

[00:01:47]>> For $2,250 you say she owes you for the return of a security deposit?

[00:01:52]>> Yes, your honor. And you're counter suing, ma'am, for $5,000 for defamation of character, moving expenses, a utility bill, and threats.

[00:02:01]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:02:02]>> Okay. We'll start with you, Miss Brown.

[00:02:04]Why don't you tell me what's going on here?

[00:02:05]>> Well, what happened this year in Michigan for us was a record winter, >> and the home that I lived in with my daughter, the pipes froze and burst. So, the basement was flooded. I needed somewhere to live in the dead heat of winter. So, I started looking myself.

[00:02:20]Looked at 15 houses. I went to a rental agency as well and paid money for them to assist me with rental properties. I was given an address on Oldtown and I didn't like the house. It was it wasn't up to par. While I was there next door was a pretty nice house. A neighbor talked to me and told me that the rent sign that was in the window had been recently removed.

[00:02:40]>> So, at that point, I wrote a note just to inquire if it was still for rent, and I put my name and number on it, placed it in the mailbox. The next morning, I received a call from the defendant.

[00:02:51]>> She stated, um, "How how did you know the house was for rent?" And I explained that to her. She said, "Well, I took the sign out of the window because no one was serious about the house and they wasn't giving me my money."

[00:03:03]>> So, I told her, I said, "Well, I need somewhere to live. I'm serious about the house." We set up an appointment to meet and we did that.

[00:03:09]>> Okay. And what do you say happened? So, you were renting out >> basically, my house was not up for rent at all.

[00:03:15]>> Okay. This lady I met Miss Brenda Brown came up to me.

[00:03:19]>> Was the house you were living in? Who was living in the home at the time?

[00:03:21]>> No. Um the co-owner was living in the house but we were using the house for storage getting it ready to rent it out again. He was out of town.

[00:03:29]>> Got it. So no one was living in the home at the time.

[00:03:31]>> No. But it was a bunch of furniture. All my stuff and his stuff belongs inside the home. Okay. So >> that day or the next day you go to the house and you see there's a note. I look at the note and I decide to call Miss Brenda Brown. So then she comes to me with the sob story about she got cancer and she done got ripped off by all these pe landlords where she done gain money and they ain't gave her money back. So I assured her I wouldn't do that. She had told me also she had a 14year-old daughter who can go to school right down the street and two 30 year old sons but the two 30-year-old sons would not live with her cuz she stay in the hospital a lot. So I made accommodations for her.

[00:04:09]Yes.

[00:04:10]>> Okay. Now, what what date was that conversation?

[00:04:12]>> March the 18th.

[00:04:14]>> Okay. And when was the home supposed to be ready for her to move in? What was the date?

[00:04:18]>> April the 3rd.

[00:04:19]>> Okay. And so what happens? You give her money as a security deposit. How much?

[00:04:25]>> Um the first amount was $750 for the security. That was on March 18th. On March 26, I gave her an additional $750 for the first month's rent.

[00:04:35]>> Okay. So that's that's how much the rent was going to be. No, it was 750 first month last month in security. The day she supposed to pay the rent, she supposed to filled out the uh lease agreement, but she didn't even come and get her receipt for the second 750.

[00:04:52]>> Well, but you admit she gave you 1,500.

[00:04:54]>> I admit she gave me 750 on the March the 18th. She gave me another 750 >> on the 26th.

[00:05:02]>> So, she did give you $1,500.

[00:05:04]>> Yes, she did. And then she ends up not moving in on the third on the 3rd. What happened?

[00:05:11]>> Well, on the 1st of April.

[00:05:13]>> So, and let me just be clear, the two of you didn't have a written lease.

[00:05:15]>> No. Why wasn't there a written lease?

[00:05:17]>> She refused to show up and sign a written lease. She didn't even come back to show up. She showed up to give you $1,500.

[00:05:23]>> She stalked me to give me the $1,500.

[00:05:25]>> What do you mean by she stalked you?

[00:05:26]>> She looked for me. I told her I was at the park. I told her I was at the fish market. She asked me when will I be home. I said, "Well, around 4:30 then."

[00:05:33]>> Okay. to give you money.

[00:05:35]>> She chased me around to find me to give me some money, but I'm letting you know I don't have the rent receipt with me and I don't have the lease agreement with me. And she insisted that >> she's forcing She's forcing herself on you.

[00:05:46]>> Yeah, she insisted that I take it. So, I said, "Okay, well, I'm going to have to >> Someone would insist I take $1,500."

[00:05:53]>> Coming up, the details are disputed.

[00:05:56]>> I didn't hook up no illegal I gas was on already.

[00:06:01]>> Okay. I didn't ask you if you hooked it up. I asked was there an illegal hookup present at the home?

[00:06:05]>> I asked her. She called DTE to get a sh.

[00:06:07]>> No, I'm asking you, Miss Homer. This is your house.

[00:06:16]>> Plaintiff Brenda Brown says she backed out of the deal because the rental home wasn't ready. She's suing for the return of her security deposit. Defendant Katherine Palmer says she's keeping the deposit as an inconvenience fee. She's counter suing for expenses and defamation of character.

[00:06:34]>> Okay. So, you never signed a lease. So, what ends up happening? Were you stalking her?

[00:06:38]>> No, ma'am. I know the definition of stalking.

[00:06:41]>> Yes, she was.

[00:06:41]>> What I did was inquire.

[00:06:43]>> Okay.

[00:06:44]>> So, on April 1st about 7 a.m. The defendant called me and stated, "I just wanted to know if you wanted to go half with me on a rental of a U-Haul. We could save money by me moving my stuff out and you moving your stuff in."

[00:06:57]>> I said, "No, ma'am. What's wrong with you?" Oh, no ma'am. I don't need any assistance.

[00:07:01]>> What's wrong with that?

[00:07:02]>> I don't need any assistance with my moving.

[00:07:05]>> Okay.

[00:07:05]>> She was >> Okay, but she was saying, "Let's split split the cost of a truck." She would use it to move things out and you would use it to move things in. I get I don't see a big deal.

[00:07:14]>> What's the big deal?

[00:07:14]>> That had nothing to do with me. And on two days before I was to move into the property, none of the repairs were done.

[00:07:20]>> Had the two of you discussed that there would be certain repairs done by April 3rd. Okay. And how do you know that those repairs weren't done? Well, the first repair was the front door itself.

[00:07:29]>> And there was supposed to be >> locks on a house, not a master lock about this long. And at the bottom of the door, there's a hole where the knob should be.

[00:07:39]>> Okay. So, on April 1st, when you say you called her and changed her mind, when did you see that the repairs had not been done?

[00:07:46]>> Immediately after I hung up the phone with her, April 1st, I went to her property and I saw that the locks had not been fixed. So, there's no snow now.

[00:07:54]I started walking around the house cuz remember she has my $1,500 to move in in two days. And then I saw there's no meter in the box that there's supposed to be electrical meter. There's wires from the box all the way out to the electrical pole in the alley.

[00:08:09]>> What was going on with the electricity?

[00:08:11]>> Your honor, the electricity really had nothing to do with the house. What happened is when I was hooked up?

[00:08:17]>> No, I did not have a legal hookup. I told her it was a co-owner and he's in Vegas and I need to talk to him and see what's going on and let him know and she was going to move in the house. When she moved in the house, he was going to take care of us.

[00:08:28]>> Was there an illegal hookup of electricity?

[00:08:30]>> Was there a legal hookup? I didn't hook it up. It was hooked up when she came to the door and she knew it was hooked up.

[00:08:36]This is my question. I'm going to ask you again. This is a yes or no question, ma'am. Was the electricity hooked up illegally? Were you Were you getting electricity from one of your neighbors in the house?

[00:08:44]>> No, ma'am. Coming up on Judge Faith, the truth is in the evidence.

[00:08:49]>> This is the electrical box where there should be a meter, but as you can see, there's a metal plate there. The services was shut off.

[00:08:57]>> According to this photo, there's no meter. Why is that?

[00:08:59]>> There's no meter because the service is shut off, >> but they don't remove the meter when the service is shut off.

[00:09:10]>> Plaintiff Brenda Brown says the rental home wasn't ready. She's suing for the return of her security deposit.

[00:09:17]Defendant Katherine Palmer says she's keeping the deposit as an inconvenience fee. She's counter suing for expenses and defamation of character.

[00:09:27]>> Let me see your evidence.

[00:09:29]>> I wasn't getting electricity from no one. The electric was already on in the house cuz me and the co-owner owned the house together. I didn't hook up no illegal electricity. I told her the lights gas was on already.

[00:09:42]>> Okay. I didn't ask you if you hooked it up. I asked was there an illegal hookup present at the home?

[00:09:46]>> I asked her. She called DTE TO GET A CHECK.

[00:09:48]>> I'M ASKING YOU, MISS PALMER. This is your house.

[00:09:50]>> I I'm not aware of that part whether it was illegal or not.

[00:09:54]>> I had to check with the uh previous owner.

[00:09:56]>> What is this a photo of, ma'am?

[00:09:58]>> Well, that starting the pole. It shows the um electrical line and I followed it all the way out to the alley to the hookup pole. And there was no meter as well.

[00:10:07]>> Okay. Where's that wire running? It's running away from the house.

[00:10:10]>> Away. Yeah. Away from the house. Okay.

[00:10:12]Excuse me, your honor. I paid $650 to get that that belongs to me. It if you're not renting the house, why is you in my yard?

[00:10:20]>> Miss Miss Palmer, would you please address the court?

[00:10:23]>> Yes.

[00:10:23]>> Okay. Now, what is this a photo of?

[00:10:29]>> This is the electrical box where there should be a meter that clicks and shows how many kilowatts you use. But, as you can see, there's a metal plate there.

[00:10:39]The services will shut off.

[00:10:42]And why why is there no meter here? I mean, according to this photo, there's no meter. Why is that?

[00:10:46]>> There's no meter because the service is shut off. That's what she's saying. The service is shut off.

[00:10:51]>> Well, they don't remove the meter when the service is shut off.

[00:10:53]>> No, I I paid for that box. This is a new newly graded box and this is how they hooked it up and then you when she called and have >> Okay. How do you You called who?

[00:11:02]>> Um, I went to DTE Energy on April the 7th.

[00:11:06]>> Oh, April 7th.

[00:11:07]>> April 7th.

[00:11:08]>> Why did you go on April 7th? so that I could find out if the um utilities could be turned on in my name because she had my 1,500. I was definitely ready to move in because she had my 1,500.

[00:11:20]>> So, you were then going to still try to move in >> as opposed to losing $1,500. Yes, ma'am.

[00:11:24]I was excused.

[00:11:25]>> Okay. What did they tell you?

[00:11:26]>> I spoke with someone in the utility fraud department. She said she did not need to see my pictures or any of my evidence because they have a open case at that address. The homeowner is aware of it and cannot rent it out because no one can get utility services there.

[00:11:41]>> Were you aware that there was some kind of open investigation?

[00:11:45]>> Your honor, she changed her mind about rent the house. There was no investigation.

[00:11:51]>> No, no, no. She didn't even mention DTE to me or that's her reason for changing her mind.

[00:11:57]>> Okay. Here's what you wrote in your answer.

[00:12:00]>> Yes.

[00:12:00]>> So we can get some clarity on this. You say you later found out that the other owner of the house had been stealing electricity and it wasn't you.

[00:12:12]>> So you were aware HOW AFTER THE FACT >> THIS WAS ALL AFTER APRIL 3RD AFTER SHE CHANGED HER MIND. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SERIOUSLY why she changed her mind.

[00:12:23]>> When did you find out that he had been sealing electricity and there was an issue with the company?

[00:12:27]>> When I found out when Ruth to the rescue called me. She called the police told me. She called Ruth to the rescue. She told me she was going to call DTE. She called all >> I just asked you about times what was going on with the electricity and you said you had no idea.

[00:12:40]>> You forgot you wrote in your after. This was after the fact that she decided not to rent it.

[00:12:46]>> I don't care when it was.

[00:12:47]>> Okay. This is when I found out. I found out through her.

[00:12:50]>> Okay. Now we get to the truth. At this point, I don't understand why you're keeping her $1,500. Clearly, the house isn't ready to be moved into.

[00:12:58]>> She inconvenienced me. She knew the condition of the house. The house was full of furniture. I didn't have the house set up to rent yet. I was calling myself compromising to make her happy.

[00:13:09]>> She said she had cancer. She's she stay in the hospital all the time. Her daughter, 14-year-old daughter goes right down the street. I was trying to make her happy and then she changed her mind.

[00:13:17]>> No, you so you have no history with this woman. You don't know her from anyone.

[00:13:22]And if the house isn't ready to rent, then you tell them no. But what you don't do is take their money and keep the money knowing that the house isn't ready to rent. That's what you don't do.

[00:13:32]>> She knew the CONDITION OF THE HOUSE AND STILL WANTED THE HOUSE. SO, I made a way for her to move in the house. I moved all my stuff out. I paid for U-Haul. I paid people to move the stuff out of the house.

[00:13:43]>> So, here's what you wrote to her in the text message. You say, "You stalked me for my property." And I told you from the beginning I did not want to rent it.

[00:13:49]You insisted I rent it. So, I moved my stuff.

[00:13:52]>> I'm a bad girl.

[00:13:53]>> And this is what this is this is what >> I moved my stuff to to please her because she said she had cancer. I thought, >> "Hold on. Hold on. Let her talk. Relax."

[00:14:01]>> This is what concerns me. She responds.

[00:14:04]She's asking for her money back. And she tells you she's going to take you to court. See you in court. So you say to her, "This is what I needed from you."

[00:14:12]What are you talking about?

[00:14:13]>> Just for her to keep, you know, the things that she was saying. She had had, we had phone conversation earlier before the text, and I needed her to keep changing her story. And then she was writing, you know, texting because I knew not to talk to her anymore. She was texting, and I got confused. I didn't understand what she was talking about.

[00:14:29]As if I'm inconveniencing her. Uh she moved her stuff out for me. I'm this that and the other. And I told her, "Hey, hold up. What are you talking about?"

[00:14:37]>> So you say, "This is what I needed from you. Thank you. I will show you a crazy be."

[00:14:41]>> She called me that on the phone. You >> respond and you say, "Meet me at my house on I ain't scary. Tell me what time and I will be there court or not."

[00:14:51]Now, >> so so you going to fight? You going to fight over the 1500? I was going to give her $500 three times. Just >> that doesn't sound like what you planning on.

[00:15:00]>> I was trying to get her to meet me at my house cuz she just got through calling me out my name. So I told her she was a wish why she you know what do I say?

[00:15:08]>> You say meet you at the house.

[00:15:09]>> You don't know what you want. So why am I wasting my time? You don't want the place no more. One minute she want it, the next minute she don't.

[00:15:15]>> What kind of landlord are you? What what do you do when somebody's late on the rent?

[00:15:18]>> I wasn't.

[00:15:19]>> The rent is due on the paid on the third. What do you tell them? Meet you on THE CORNER?

[00:15:23]>> NO. NO, SHE THREATENED ME IN ORDER FOR ME TO SHE THREATENED me in order for me to say that. She called me a crazy.

[00:15:30]>> Okay.

[00:15:31]>> What is your counter claim about, Miss Palmer?

[00:15:33]>> My counter claim defamation of care.

[00:15:35]First of all, this lady says I'm a thief. Okay. She came.

[00:15:39]>> You're suing for moving expenses.

[00:15:41]>> Yes.

[00:15:42]>> Your electricity bill. You want her to pay?

[00:15:45]>> So, she the one who called DTE and had a fraud case put on me. I did not reside at the house. I ma'am electricity legally. So how about that?

[00:15:56]I told her I had to speak to the co-owner concerning that. And this way before this.

[00:16:00]>> And how did she defame your character?

[00:16:02]>> She called me a thief. You see when she wrote that down in there, how am I a thief and you run the money and gave it to me and I offered to give it back.

[00:16:08]That's the moving experience.

[00:16:09]>> But you you didn't give it back. That's why we're here, >> right? Because since she said, okay, I got her I tried to get her to meet me on the follow.

[00:16:16]>> She's not going to meet you. Look, >> WAIT. SHE CALLED. SO, SHE SAID MAY 1ST AT YOUR DEMAND. She said May 1st at your demand. So, I I I asked her, "Court or not? Court or not? Are we going to court? If not, my hand's not tied. I can give you the money." She said, "Court."

[00:16:32]>> Okay. Okay. Doesn't sound like you were meeting her to give her money based on this text message. Doesn't sound like that's why you were offering to meet.

[00:16:39]>> Well, that's what it started off as until she got crazy on me.

[00:16:44]>> Coming up, Judge Faith rules.

[00:16:55]And now, Judge Faith rules.

[00:16:58]>> Here's the issue. I understand that the two of you did not have a signed lease, but there was clearly a verbal contract at play here, and she's given Hold on.

[00:17:06]She's giving you $1,500 in the middle of March to be able to move in by um April 3rd. and I hit the house.

[00:17:14]>> And based on the testimony that I've heard today on April 1st when she sees the repairs aren't done, that's an issue. But more importantly, my biggest concern is her not being able to get electricity because the according to the company DTE, it had been turned off and there was an investigation about theft of electricity and she submitted more photos than what I showed here where clearly there are wires going away from this house in into the alley to get electricity cut off. She the one >> and you haven't proven and and she's she certainly does not owe you for moving expenses. When did you sell the house, by the way?

[00:17:55]>> Sold April the 29th.

[00:17:56]>> Okay. So, you sold the house on April 29th. So, you're not even really out of a full month of rent, even though she told me to do whatever I wanted to do with the house.

[00:18:04]>> So, you're suing for defamation. You're suing for your moving expenses. You want her to pay the electricity bill.

[00:18:10]>> Okay. Excuse me. It wasn't no repairs that we discussed that was going to be done. I was handing the lady some locks.

[00:18:15]I was trying to help the lady just like I was trying to help her with the moving expenses. The lady set this whole thing up.

[00:18:20]>> If you check her, I bet she bipolar schizo.

[00:18:23]>> Urana. Urana.

[00:18:25]>> I I don't think you're in a pos in a position to diagnose one.

[00:18:29]>> Y, may I say one thing, please? Uh, no.

[00:18:32]No.

[00:18:35]And and I understand you feel like she stalked you and and forced you to take this $1,500 and and forced you to rent your property when you did not really want to rent it.

[00:18:47]>> But I I I just I don't find that to be credible. Miss, >> I find myself not to be so friendly no more.

[00:18:53]>> Dismissing your counter claim judgment in this case is for the plane of $1,500.

[00:18:57]>> Thank you.

[00:19:02]You have a blend day.

[00:19:05]>> The judgment today. I would like to thank Judge Faith. She's fair. She gave me a chance to have my story heard and I really appreciate it.

[00:19:12]>> I feel as though it was unfair cuz DTE Energy has nothing to do with you rent your property out. That's the responsibility of the tenants, not the homeowner.

[00:19:22]>> Today on Judge Faith, was she a consultant or his free ride? I'm shopping around to see if there's anyone that understands how this works. We didn't talk about no terms or money or cost or anything.

[00:19:36]>> When I reviewed the returns, there were major major mistakes. He told me that, well, IRS has not knocked on the door yet. I'm going to take my chances.

[00:19:45]>> On April 9th, 6 days before tax day, according to you, money never came up that she's doing this work for free out of the kindness of her heart.

[00:19:53]>> And later, are these exes really over? I thought we were exclusive, but it wasn't just me. It was me and her, her, her her, and her. So, I jumped out of it.

[00:20:03]>> Then she turns to me and say, "Well, you going to need a lawyer this time just to see your daughter."

[00:20:07]>> As soon as one person says something that the other person doesn't like, one of you want to pipe up. That's not the way we're going to do this. I'm not going to be here all day.

[00:20:15]>> Faith Jenkins. Her distinguished legal career began when she graduated first in her law school class. She quickly became a tough New York City prosecutor and then a preeminent legal analyst on cable news. And now she's the judge in her own courtroom. Her cases are real and her rulings are final. She is Judge Faith.

[00:20:38]Plaintiff Winnie Leiao says she was hired by the defendant to prepare his tax return and he's refusing to pay.

[00:20:45]She's suing for tax preparation and consultation fees.

[00:20:49]Defendant Joseph Ellerby says he doesn't owe because he did his own taxes and never agreed to a price. He's counter suing for lost wages, return of confidential data, and a laptop. He's accompanied in court today by Glenda Ellerby.

[00:21:05]>> All rise. Court is in session. The Honorable Judge Faith Jenkins presiding.

[00:21:13]>> Please be seated. Your honor, the litigants have been sworn in. This is the case of Layout versus Ellerby. Thank you. One >> winning Leia.

[00:21:23]>> Yeah.

[00:21:23]>> You were suing the defendant Joseph Ellerby.

[00:21:26]>> Yes.

[00:21:27]>> For $960 for tax preparation and consultation fees. Yes.

[00:21:31]>> And you're counter suing, sir, for $534 for lost wages, return of confidential data, and a laptop.

[00:21:38]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:21:39]>> Okay. I'll start with you, ma'am. Tell me what's going on here.

[00:21:41]>> Yes. I'm a certified public accountant.

[00:21:43]I also am a registered tax return prepare for Internal Revenue Services and Mr. Alabi uh contacted me end of March and asked me to review his prior tax returns. That's for 2011, 2012 and 2013 returns.

[00:22:00]>> Okay. Is that true, sir?

[00:22:01]>> No, that's not true.

[00:22:03]>> Okay.

[00:22:03]>> I didn't call her to ask her that. I called her to see if she can see if there was any tax laws that that occurred between 2011 and 2014 that I >> contacted her in you contacted her in general for her CPA services, >> right?

[00:22:18]>> And so what happens? The two of you set up a meeting with >> a date um March 25th >> uh to come in and we um to do the consultation and he brought a binder for me to look at the prior return. He asked me to review his the returns already been filed to see that if he's done it appropriately. Um and also prepare for 2014.

[00:22:43]>> And did you have a discussion with him as to his retention of your services and how much he was going to be paying you for your work?

[00:22:51]>> Yes, we did have that discussion on the second time we met. The first time, if I may, the first time when we met on March the 29th, it took about two and a half hours.

[00:23:01]>> Did you charge him for that meeting?

[00:23:02]>> No. The reason was because when I review the returns, there were major major mistakes.

[00:23:09]>> I advised my client say, "Hey, Mr. Albby, these return need to be amended."

[00:23:16]He told me that, "Well, IRS has not come and ask me knock on the door yet. I'm going to take my chances." M >> okay >> that was his response. Two weeks later he called me and we met again on April the 9th. So you know the text return are due on April the 15th. Right? So he asked me to prepare the 2014 returns. He left me with his binder. It's got 24 2010 to to 2014 tax returns all in here.

[00:23:43]>> He left me with his laptop.

[00:23:45]>> Okay.

[00:23:46]>> With a sign on where he kept all the receipts online. Did you discuss money?

[00:23:52]Did you discuss payment? What did you discuss?

[00:23:54]>> Second time we met, >> I said that my consultation fee I offer first 30 minutes free consultation.

[00:24:02]>> After that, it's $80 per hour and then when I do the tax return, the base rate which include the 1040 form is 300.

[00:24:12]>> Anything in writing about this?

[00:24:14]>> We have a verbal conversation.

[00:24:15]>> Okay. And so how many hours do you say you worked for and weren't paid? There were three and a half hours of consultation fee in total >> and the tax return fee is probably like 500 and something >> and that's the basis for your $960 lawsuit.

[00:24:30]>> Adds up to $960.

[00:24:31]>> And what do you say happened, sir?

[00:24:33]>> I saw her add in Craigslist. Gave her a call and say, "Okay, I need to know if you can help me out. You know, my taxes are completed. I wanted to see if there's any tax laws or policies that have changed during the downturn 2011 for the real estate industry. What work did she do for you?

[00:24:49]>> Nothing.

[00:24:50]>> Okay.

[00:24:52]>> Coming up, was the conversation a verbal contract?

[00:24:55]>> We didn't talk about no terms or money or cost or anything.

[00:25:00]>> Is she supposed to do this for free?

[00:25:02]>> And later, ex-lovers bonded by a baby battle it out in court.

[00:25:06]>> She picks up something like some heavy object, comes to the car, and just throws it at.

[00:25:11]>> Okay.

[00:25:18]Plaintiff Winnie Laauo says she prepared a tax return for Joseph and he's refusing to pay. She's suing for tax preparation and consultation fees.

[00:25:28]Defendant Joseph Ellerby says he doesn't owe because he never agreed to a price.

[00:25:33]He's counter suing for lost wages, return of confidential data, and a laptop.

[00:25:39]When I got there, I basically said, I want to see if you can help me and you whether you understand what I have here >> because you had done your own taxes and you wanted her to review.

[00:25:48]>> I've done my own taxes.

[00:25:50]>> What was the discussion about the work you wanted her to do for you and discussion about payment?

[00:25:54]>> We didn't talk about no terms or money or cost or anything.

[00:25:59]>> But then you went back to her and you met with her again and you took your binder, your laptop.

[00:26:03]>> Was she supposed to do this for free?

[00:26:04]>> Here's how and why.

[00:26:08]I I was looking for, you know, it's just like you taking your car to a service station and asking the the dealer to do something. He's going to look at it to see if he can if he knows what's wrong.

[00:26:18]If not, he's going to say, "Okay, this is going to cost you this."

[00:26:21]>> Did you have any discussion with her about payment, about money, how much she charged an hour?

[00:26:25]>> We never had we never had a single discussion >> about money.

[00:26:28]>> About money.

[00:26:28]>> Okay. You go back a second time and you bring her a binder and you bring her your laptop and you leave her your sign on password. Right.

[00:26:34]>> Here's how it happened. Yes or no?

[00:26:38]without any discussion of money because see here's >> stop. You think because in and according to you money never came up that she's doing this work for free out of the kindness of her heart on April 9th 6 days before tax day before taxes are due.

[00:26:52]>> I don't expect nothing for free. I expect an honest answer.

[00:26:55]>> So why didn't you pay her for her work?

[00:26:56]>> I didn't pay I didn't pay her anything.

[00:26:58]>> I know that. That's why we're here.

[00:26:59]>> SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

[00:27:01]>> What happens at the end when when he comes back? You wait you still have the laptop in the binder. What happened, man? You found there were problems with his previous returns.

[00:27:09]>> There were major major issues >> and I felt that these returns they are fraudulent. They are unlawful.

[00:27:17]>> Did you communicate that to him?

[00:27:19]>> Yes.

[00:27:19]>> When he left I just thought, "Oh, thank goodness." Right. Well, two weeks later, he came and called upon my service. At that moment, I knew that he just wanted my signature. He just wanted my signature to sign his return. That is prepared. That is But let me let me say this. The return I prepared >> uh shows that he owed $34,000.

[00:27:44]>> The return that prepared by himself shows that he only owed $10,000.

[00:27:50]>> Can you show me the email communication you had with with Mr. Eleby during that time period? And so you see that she prepares this return and she's telling you you owe this money. And is that why you don't want to pay her? Because I'm you're getting numbers. I'm trying to be honest. I'm trying to be honest and and showing you the pattern and how it >> I want you to try to be honest. I want you to be honest.

[00:28:10]>> I didn't I didn't even You didn't talk about You didn't talk about any cost.

[00:28:16]She just said, >> "Hold on a second. Hold on a second. I want to I want I just want to address this. You are being intellectually dishonest when you come in and you tell me because you had no discussion of money. You did not expect this woman to be paid for her work. Sir, >> if you look at her information, you look at my wife's name is wrong throughout the tax document.

[00:28:36]>> What do you mean spelled wrong?

[00:28:38]>> It's wrong.

[00:28:39]>> Okay. And so what? So that's And so you then you tell the CPA, "Hey, you spelled my my wife's name wrong. Can you correct me?"

[00:28:44]>> From a dishonesty and unprofessionalism >> and that's why you brought her here. I don't need to hear this testimony. What?

[00:28:49]What happened? I'm going to tell you what happened.

[00:28:51]>> No, I'm going to tell you what happened.

[00:28:53]I'm going to tell you what happened.

[00:28:54]Here's what happened.

[00:28:57]>> I'm going to tell you what happened.

[00:28:59]You you hired you hired Miss Liao to do this work for you.

[00:29:04]>> Yes, you did. You hired her. You retained her for her services. You left your binder. You left your laptop. You sent her all these email was all with all these documents. She then comes back to you with your 2014 return right before tax day and she tells you you owe $34,000. You say, "I'm not paying a CPA all this money for to file a return for me and tell me I owe $34,000. I'm going to do these taxes myself, which is why you submitted to the court your tax return that you filed showing that you owed over $20,000 less. That's why you didn't pay her, sir. That's why you never went back to get your binder and your laptop because you knew you owe her the money. Judgement in this case for the plaintiff. $960.

[00:29:43]Your counter claim is dismissed. Return his property, MA'AM.

[00:29:57]I wish the Laby family to come clean with their tax returns federal or state cuz you you'll be able to sleep better at night.

[00:30:06]>> Uh what I think about judge face ruling is that uh she set some precedents for people business people in business providing a service people showing up and the clock automatically starts.

[00:30:17]Plaintiff Lamar Tolen says an offendant damaged his car in a fit of rage over their child. He's suing for car repair costs. He's accompanied in court today by Monica Alfred.

[00:30:30]Defendant Mimi Carter says she doesn't owe for the repairs because she didn't throw anything at the car and Lamar's just causing trouble.

[00:30:39]>> Lamar Tolden, >> your honor, >> you are suing the defendant Mimi Carter.

[00:30:43]>> Yes, your honor. for $1,461 for car repairs.

[00:30:48]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:30:49]>> Okay. Why don't we start from the beginning, sir? Tell me what's going on here.

[00:30:52]>> Uh, I met Mimi in the summer of 2013. U met her on a dating site, Badu. Um, >> wait. Dating site called Badu.

[00:31:00]>> Badu? Yes, ma'am.

[00:31:01]>> Bad. Oh, I thought I'd heard of everything. I've never heard of that.

[00:31:03]>> I I like black people meet.com.

[00:31:07]>> Nah, not necessarily. Nah, it's something uh similar.

[00:31:11]>> It was working for you.

[00:31:11]>> Yeah, it was for a minute. Yeah.

[00:31:15]What happened?

[00:31:15]>> This one night we had a drunk night >> and she ended up getting pregnant that night. So, you have a child together now? Yes.

[00:31:21]>> How old is your Is it a boy or a girl?

[00:31:23]>> A girl.

[00:31:23]>> And how old is she?

[00:31:24]>> She'll be two in February.

[00:31:26]>> Who does she live with?

[00:31:27]>> Me.

[00:31:27]>> Okay. And the two of you don't live together?

[00:31:29]>> No.

[00:31:30]>> Do you work?

[00:31:30]>> Yes.

[00:31:31]>> Do you help support your daughter? Yes.

[00:31:33]>> No.

[00:31:33]>> Does he pay child support?

[00:31:34]>> No.

[00:31:35]>> Okay. Is there any particular reason why you don't pay child support?

[00:31:37]>> I mean, I've been there since day one, so I'm like >> So, you you do you give money to help your daughter? What do you mean by you've been there financially? Have you been there?

[00:31:45]>> Technically, I've been there since day one. So, basically, whatever she needed, I got.

[00:31:49]>> What happened? How did we end up in with this lawsuit? What happened here?

[00:31:54]>> Well, she calls me on her birthday.

[00:31:56]>> Uh, it was like 1:00 in the morning.

[00:31:58]Want to talk to my daughter >> and your daughter was with you because it was her birthday. She was out celebrating >> for two weeks that time.

[00:32:04]>> Okay. She was visiting for two weeks.

[00:32:05]Okay.

[00:32:05]>> So, she was like, "Uh, well, bring my daughter home." I was like, "No, I'm not going to bring her home till it was a Wednesday." And I said, "I wasn't going to bring her home till Friday." And she was like, "No." Then she just started getting all defensive and type of stuff, you know. Um, next thing you know, she just flipped on me like did a whole 180 and just start going off and she was like, "Bring my daughter home."

[00:32:25]>> Was there an arrangement in place for that evening in terms of how long she would stay with him?

[00:32:31]>> There wasn't any arrangement. She was just supposed to stay for a couple of days.

[00:32:34]>> Okay. Go ahead.

[00:32:36]>> Later that day, uh, me and my mom took her back between 8 and 10. uh she comes out to the car, gets my daughter and stuff like that. Then she turns to me and say, "Well, you going to need a lawyer this time just to see your daughter." So, I'm like, you know, that pushes my button cuz this is not the only time she ever told me that. As I started changing words back and then she said something to the point where she's like, you know, shut up before I come punch you in your ming face. You know what I'm saying? So, >> where's your daughter at the time?

[00:33:02]>> She was put her in the house. I think she had put took her in the house. Okay.

[00:33:05]>> So, uh I back up. She picks up something like some heavy object and comes to the car and just throws it at her. Now I call the police.

[00:33:14]>> Okay. What's your side of this?

[00:33:16]>> Coming up on Judge Faith. Did their fight get physical?

[00:33:20]>> We bagged out. She She just took the object and threw it. Did you pick up something and throw it in his car?

[00:33:26]>> No, I did not.

[00:33:26]>> So why do you think they called the police?

[00:33:34]Pliff Lamar Tolen says Mimi damaged his car in a fit of rage. He's suing for car repair costs. Defendant Mimi Carter says she doesn't owe any money because she didn't damage the car.

[00:33:48]>> He pulled up and so I got my daughter, got her bags, and I told him, I said, "You've been slacking." And I did say, "Um, if you keep this up, I am going to have to go through the courts."

[00:33:59]>> Keep what up? not doing what he's supposed to do every I have to wait a week for pampers and he don't want to bring clothes by he if he buys something he keep it at his house how that's not doing any justice for me after >> what were you saying to him >> you're not doing your job you're not doing what you're supposed to do and you haven't filed for child support >> no that's happening >> did you pick up something and throw it in his car >> no I did not >> that did not happen >> no ma'am >> that never happened >> no ma'am >> so you the two of you argued you turned around and went back in the house >> yes yes when we got done or arg I did not No, but I went in the house to put her bags down and then after I went in the house, put her bags down. I got in the car with my friend that was in a driveway and we went around the corner to her house because she was having a barbecue.

[00:34:40]>> So, you never picked up an object and hit the car?

[00:34:43]>> No.

[00:34:44]>> Ma'am, were you there? Could you step up, please? What do you say you saw?

[00:34:48]>> Okay, she came to the car. She got the baby. She put the baby in the house.

[00:34:52]>> So, what happens? What do you see her do?

[00:34:54]>> Then she reached down. Okay, she was reached down on the ground. It was like something on the ground. She picked up.

[00:35:01]Okay.

[00:35:02]>> Do you see what it was?

[00:35:03]>> It was something square and I know it was head because she was holding it with both hands.

[00:35:06]>> Okay. And then I said, "Lammore, she got something. She fa to hit your car." I said, "Bag out."

[00:35:12]>> I said, "Because she going to hit your car." By the time he bumped it, by the time we bagged out, she she just took the object and threw it like that. Who called the police?

[00:35:22]>> When did you call the police? Police.

[00:35:23]>> When I called police right afterwards.

[00:35:25]>> Let me see the police report.

[00:35:26]>> That's why she was there. So, why do you think they called the police right after they left your house?

[00:35:31]>> I left and went to a barbecue. Man, >> she never left.

[00:35:33]>> Yes, I did.

[00:35:35]>> You did take your You got to stop talking with your I'm sorry.

[00:35:43]>> So, you left you left with your friend to go to the barbecue?

[00:35:45]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:35:46]>> So, you left your daughter at home, right?

[00:35:47]>> No, I took my kids with me. I took all three of my kids with me. I put them in a car that >> to a barbecue between 8 and 10:00 at night. A 1 and 1/2year-old.

[00:35:55]>> Yes.

[00:35:55]>> Did you see her leave with the kids? Oh, she didn't leave. Actually, the police even went in knocked on the door and seen her cut her lights off. So >> So you saying she was still at the house?

[00:36:04]>> Yeah, she was at the house.

[00:36:05]>> All right.

[00:36:07]>> Coming up, Judge Faith rules.

[00:36:18]And now, Judge Faith rules.

[00:36:21]So, here we have a police report from that date at 9:18 p.m. made by the plaintiff accusing you of destruction of property. And then the next day, he goes to court and files for an order of protection.

[00:36:35]>> And then on the >> So, here's what No, we're done talking.

[00:36:38]I have one side telling me it happened and one side telling me it didn't happen. So, clearly someone's lying. So whenever I have a case like this, I look for one thing to tip the scales in favor of one side or the other. And that is, is there any corroborating evidence? And the corroborating evidence I have in this case is minutes after he alleges that you hit his car with the object. I have the police called by him on the scene and he makes the allegation that you destroyed his property. So this wasn't something he just came up with months later to bring a court case. If he made it up, he made it up in an instant with his mother right there with him as a witness. The second piece of corroborating evidence I have, the next day he goes to court and he makes a claim for an order of protection against you based on this destruction of property. Those two pieces of corroborating evidence tip the scales in his favor. Now, there's one innocent person in this entire situation, and that is your daughter, and that is your child. I'm I'm trying to give you some advice here, something to help you because you're 24 years old and now you got to put your big girl pants on because you got to be a mother now to a one and a half year old child. Okay?

[00:37:51]If he's not taking care of his responsibility as a father, then your remedy for that is to go to court and file an order and get child support.

[00:38:01]>> That's already in motion.

[00:38:02]>> You understand?

[00:38:03]>> Already in motion, >> ma'am. So, so that's the way you handle that, ma'am. What you do not do is resort to throwing a rock or whatever you threw at his car and damaging property. You can't do that.

[00:38:15]>> If I would have done it, I didn't.

[00:38:17]>> You know, this reminds me of that that quote that Will Smith said in that movie. I think it was Focus.

[00:38:22]>> Never drop the con, die with the lie.

[00:38:25]You're just going to stick to it no matter what.

[00:38:28]>> I'm going to order you to pay the value of the estimate he submitted to the court. $1,460.70 judgment FOR THE PLAINTIFF.

[00:38:41]I FEEL JUST FACE RULING WAS CREDIBLE. I thought it was a good ruling and uh I just hope you know through all this we can just move forward.

[00:38:50]>> Well, since he got some money, maybe he can put some of that money in uh towards his daughter and actually start doing something with himself.

[00:38:58]>> Today on Judge Faith, buddies from the bayou dispute the details of their deal.

[00:39:04]He's trying to ask me now. I'm talking about where's my money for the paint.

[00:39:07]Yiana, when you go to the nail shop, they don't charge you for for polish.

[00:39:10]>> If you go and order your po, you're not going to say how much you paid for the shrimp, how much you paid for the lettuce.

[00:39:16]>> You have gotten on my nerves today.

[00:39:18]Y'all didn't bring me any beignes. Be quiet and let me handle this.

[00:39:22]>> And later, moms and dads battle over the identity of the neighborhood bully.

[00:39:27]>> From the jump, they have not liked me.

[00:39:29]They have not liked my children. Um, her kids would come over and play and they would cause trouble all the time.

[00:39:33]>> You know what I call the best evidence in the world? A confession.

[00:39:37]>> Faith Jenkins. Her distinguished legal career began when she graduated first in her law school class. She quickly became a tough New York City prosecutor and then a preeminent legal analyst on cable news. And now she's the judge in her own courtroom. Her cases are real and her rulings are final. She is Judge Faith.

[00:40:00]Plaintiff George Johnson says he paid for his truck to be repaired and repainted, but now the defendant is refusing to release the vehicle. He's suing for repairs on his truck and rides to work.

[00:40:12]Defendant Steven Johnson says he owes nothing and will release the truck when George pays him for the rest of the job.

[00:40:19]He's counter suing for a remaining balance.

[00:40:22]>> All rise. Court is in session. The Honorable Judge Faith Jenkins presiding.

[00:40:31]Please be seated. Your honor, the litigants have been sworn in. This is the case of Johnson III versus Johnson.

[00:40:36]>> Thank you. George Johnson.

[00:40:39]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:40:39]>> You are suing the defendant Steven Johnson.

[00:40:42]>> Yes, sir.

[00:40:43]>> For $2,216 for repairs on your truck and reimbursement for rides to work.

[00:40:49]>> Yes.

[00:40:50]>> And you are counter suing, sir, for $690 for the remaining balance you say the plaintiff owes on work you did on the truck and materials. Correct.

[00:40:58]>> Okay. We'll start with you, Mr. Johnson.

[00:40:59]Tell me what's going on.

[00:41:01]>> Um, good day, Yiana. Prior to these events right here, I never knew Mr. Johnson, but due to these events, unfortunately, me and Mr. Johnson is has blessed you with uh our presence. Um, I gave Mr. Johnson um a down payment to do some work on my vehicle.

[00:41:20]>> What kind of car is it?

[00:41:21]>> Uh, it's a 05 Ford Expedition, >> Eddie Bower Edition. And I needed some body work done, but I I you know, I I knew of him through my mother having some work done when he had a body shop and I thought he still had it.

[00:41:35]>> Okay. Are you a mechanic, sir?

[00:41:37]>> Uh auto body and paint.

[00:41:39]>> Okay. So, at some point you need some work done on your SUV.

[00:41:42]>> Correct.

[00:41:43]>> What work did you need done and when did you talk to him about it?

[00:41:47]>> Needed some serious body work on it because of the fact that um I kind of neglected it a little bit over the years. you know, and it needed some attention. He gave me a price of $2,000 to do what?

[00:42:00]>> To to do whatever needed to get it back restored to to the way it's supposed to be. And he told me at that time that my truck would be done in about two to three weeks.

[00:42:10]>> How much total have you paid him to date, sir?

[00:42:12]>> How much has I paid him to on a $2,000 job? I've given him $1,710.

[00:42:18]>> Okay. What's going on, sir? You still have the truck?

[00:42:21]>> Yes, I do. Okay. Um he came to me, you know, knocking at my front door and he said, um, you know, I need you to fix this truck for me. So I grabbed my pad and he said, "No, this this is a locked up deal that's come out of his mouth. $2,000 for labor and I'll buy all the parts and materials." All right, fair. But when I go to his mom's house where the vehicle was, um, in his mind, he's going to save a little money, get a guy off the street to take it apart, then bring it to me, and I fix it, paint it, >> put it back together.

[00:42:50]>> Put it back together. Do you have any photos of what the truck looked like when it was towed to your house?

[00:42:55]>> That's in bad shape.

[00:42:56]>> The truck was hit hard in the right front. All right. So, >> the truck had been in an accident.

[00:43:01]>> Yes.

[00:43:01]>> What kind of accident were you in?

[00:43:03]>> Um kind of had a Well, >> you said you neglected it at first. You didn't want to tell me you been an accident?

[00:43:13]>> Yeah. They uh October of last year, they had something in the um in the road in the highway and I tried to dodge it and my truck wind up hitting the side the the the little side rail or whatnot.

[00:43:25]Little minor damages.

[00:43:26]>> Why'd you tell me you had neglected it?

[00:43:28]>> Well, actually I did because actually when it happened, I didn't go get it fixed at that time.

[00:43:32]>> Okay.

[00:43:33]>> You know, and like I said, I >> You call that minor?

[00:43:35]>> Well, no, not so much, Yiana. Not not so much. Not so much.

[00:43:38]>> And you told him you could fix this truck for $2,000.

[00:43:41]>> That's That's good. Mhm. Okay. All right.

[00:43:43]>> I've been doing this work since I was in kindergarten. It's a family trade. Yeah.

[00:43:46]>> All right. So, where are we now? Where we Is the truck repaired?

[00:43:49]>> Yeah, it's repaired.

[00:43:50]>> It's repaired. Do you have photos of the repaired truck? You still have it?

[00:43:53]>> Uh, yeah, I still have it.

[00:43:54]>> Okay, let's see. The truck repaired.

[00:43:56]Okay, that's it. Because the before and after is pretty significant. This is the before. Take a moment. Pause. Take it in. I'm This is the before.

[00:44:06]>> I took it in, but am I supposed to go to the after?

[00:44:09]>> Am I supposed to price his price?

[00:44:10]>> Let's go to the after. That looks like a brand new truck for $2,000.

[00:44:17]>> Are y'all serious?

[00:44:20]>> How do you not see that? Paying $2,000 to make those repairs and seeing the before and after. How do you not see that's a bargain?

[00:44:28]>> I mean, I know things are cheaper down in New Orleans, but come on now. That's a deal.

[00:44:32]>> Says who?

[00:44:34]>> Says me. I've been I've been doing these cases for a while. This is not my first rodeo. You don't have to be an expert, Mr. Johnson, to see. That's a lot of work for $2,000.

[00:44:42]>> I think $2,000 is a lot of money.

[00:44:45]>> I really do.

[00:44:47]>> Coming up, was the paint extra?

[00:44:50]>> Sir, where do you think the paint came from? You think he he mixed up the colors himself?

[00:44:53]>> Shop has paint.

[00:44:55]>> And later, parents argue over their kids' actions.

[00:44:58]>> So, her kid mashed my kid in the back of the head with a flashlight.

[00:45:02]>> He does not verbalize the words, "I'm sorry."

[00:45:03]>> So, you're saying he could not say, "I told you need to make it right or we need to get out of here.

[00:45:13]Plaintiff George Johnson says Steven is refusing to return his truck. He's suing for repairs on his truck and rides to work. Defendant Steven Johnson says he owes nothing and will release the truck when George pays him. He's counter suing for a remaining balance.

[00:45:31]>> I owed him a balance of 290 >> and cuz I gave him 1710. As I come to give him the 290, he's trying to ask me now talking about, "Where's my money for the paint?" I'm like, "What paint?"

[00:45:43]Yiana, when you go to the nail shop, you don't they don't charge you for for polish. They may charge YOU FOR THE NAIL, BUT THEY DON'T CHARGE YOU AND SAY, "WELL, you need to pay extra for THIS NAIL POLISH."

[00:45:53]>> WELL, WHAT WHAT if you go to the nail shop and you have and they have in writing, it's bob, bring your own bottle of polish. That's what they That's what they say. I don't see that paint on there, >> sir. $2,000 total for labor. At the bottom, this is your evidence that you just submitted to me >> that says >> George, that's you.

[00:46:13]>> That's me.

[00:46:13]>> Will buy all materials for the truck parts. Look, >> you're being unreasonable. I'm being unreasonable. When I unreasonable when my truck is being held hostage for 4 months when he told me it was going to be ready BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM.

[00:46:26]You have to pay the bill. If you paid $29, stop. If you paid $290 and $400 for paint, none of us would be here today.

[00:46:35]You'd be driving your truck.

[00:46:36]>> Well, actually, we would be here because I would be suing him for THE >> deal if you if you go and order your poboy, you're not going to say how much you paid for the shrimp, how much you paid for the lettuce, how much you paid for the And kind of like >> You say poboy.

[00:46:54]>> A pobo. Yeah.

[00:46:55]>> Okay. Sir, where do you think the paint came from? You think he he mixed up the colors himself? The body shop has paint.

[00:47:00]I don't What are you saying? He The paint came from somewhere either.

[00:47:05]>> Tell me why he bought I even asked him that.

[00:47:07]>> He's not He's not a body shop. It's clear he does this on the side. And your truck has been repainted.

[00:47:14]>> Do you want your truck back or not, sir?

[00:47:16]>> I do. I don't think I SHOULD HAVE WAIT THIS LONG FOR IT.

[00:47:19]>> OKAY. SO, be quiet and let me handle this.

[00:47:24]>> $690 judgment for the defendant. Sir, I'm ordering you before you get that judgment.

[00:47:30]>> All right.

[00:47:30]>> I need proof, you submit that to this court, either one of you, that the truck has been returned to the plaintiff's possession, then I will go ahead and enter the judgment in your favor for $690.

[00:47:42]Now, let me tell you something. I had litigants earlier this week from New Orleans. They didn't bring me any beignes.

[00:47:50]Y'all didn't either. And you have gotten on my nerves today. So judgement in this case >> $690. Return the truck. Case is dismissed, SIR.

[00:48:05]>> My headlights still don't work cuz he know how to do none of that. $2,000 for what? What did he do? Dishonesty just ain't the policy. Uh and what you do in life always comes back to you, you know.

[00:48:18]Um and that's just the way it is, you know.

[00:48:22]Plaintiff Angela Gilbert says the defendant's outofc control children threw rocks over the fence and put dents in her car. She's suing for damage to her vehicle. She's accompanied in court today by her husband, George Conklin.

[00:48:37]Defendants Cassie and Rob Williams say they owe nothing because there is no way their kids could throw rocks the distance to reach Angela's car. Their count is suing for lost wages and fees.

[00:48:49]>> Angela Gilbert. Yes, your honor.

[00:48:51]>> You were suing the defendants Cassie and Rob Williams.

[00:48:54]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:48:55]>> For $823 for damage to your vehicle.

[00:48:58]>> Absolutely.

[00:48:59]>> And you are counter suing for $835 for lost wages and fees.

[00:49:03]>> Yes, your honor.

[00:49:04]>> Okay. I'll start with you, Miss Gilbert.

[00:49:05]Tell me what's going on here.

[00:49:06]>> In 2013, we bought our house and moved in. From where our property is and a neighbor's property is, there's an adjoining backyard. Cassie and her kids would come over, run and play. Their children would come over and join in and run through the fences. And for whatever reason, from the jump, they have not liked me. They have not liked my children.

[00:49:21]>> How many children do you have?

[00:49:22]>> I have three.

[00:49:23]>> How old are they?

[00:49:24]>> 11, seven, and five.

[00:49:25]>> Okay. And you are friends with one of her neighbors, correct? And visit her often. Yes.

[00:49:31]>> And bring your children. Yes.

[00:49:32]>> How old are they?

[00:49:33]>> Four and six.

[00:49:34]>> Okay. When do you say conflict between the two of you started and how?

[00:49:37]>> Um, her kids would come over and play and they would cause trouble all the time. So, it got to the point where me and my husband decided that if her kids were going to be over at my friend's house, we weren't allowing our children over there. We didn't want our kids learning their habits that they were taught by their parents.

[00:49:52]>> For example, >> um my son and her son were playing, my youngest son, and her son took a toy away from my child. My child retaliated, which I know was wrong.

[00:50:02]>> Retaliated how?

[00:50:02]>> Uh just slapped his arm for taking the toy and tried getting it back. So, her kid took a flashlight and smashed my kid in the back of the head with a flashlight. And my kid came out crying.

[00:50:12]>> Okay. So, >> so I made my son apologize. I said, "You need to apologize if you did the first thing because that's not right. That's not what we taught you. So, she tells her son to apologize and he won't. And she goes, "I'm sorry. My kid doesn't like to apologize." Well, I'm sorry. We teach our children to step up for the responsibility and apologize.

[00:50:32]>> Okay. So, did you tell your son not to apologize?

[00:50:36]>> No. I said my son does not say sorry easily. My son has autism. He does not verbalize the words I'm sorry.

[00:50:42]>> So, you're saying he could not say, "You need to make it right or we need to get out of here."

[00:50:47]>> Okay. Let's let's get to May 19th and uh what this case is about. Tell me what happened.

[00:50:52]>> So on May 19th um was taking George out to his car to get ready for work.

[00:50:58]And he pulled out and then all a sudden a ball came over the fence into my boat.

[00:51:03]I climbed up into the boat, got the ball, chucked it back over. At that point I can see um Cassie, the other neighbors, and the children in the backyard. They said, "Sorry about the ball." I said, "It's no big deal. It's a ball." Took my kids. We went up to the park. Uh, we got done with that, came back. George works overnight. He came home and you can see the rocks scattered across the driveway.

[00:51:24]>> Coming up on Judge Faith. Were the kids confessions coerced?

[00:51:29]>> So, you coerced your own children into making a confession?

[00:51:32]>> I asked them multiple times if they asked if they threw the rocks and they said no.

[00:51:35]>> And so, why do you then go over to her house to apologize? That doesn't make sense to me.

[00:51:45]Plative Angela Gilbert says Cassie and Rob's kids threw the rocks that dented her car. She's suing for damage to her vehicle. Defendants Cassie and Rob Williams say they owe nothing because their kids didn't throw the rocks. They are counted suing for lost wages and fees.

[00:52:04]>> So, you come out, you see rocks and you recognize that they're the rocks from your neighbor's yard, right?

[00:52:09]>> Okay. What else do you observe? There were dings in the side of my truck.

[00:52:12]There were dings and scratches and dents in the hood of George's car. There were dings in the covered to the motor of my boat.

[00:52:18]>> Okay. And you say that you believe her kids were involved in throwing rocks into your yard.

[00:52:23]>> Yes. They were there the night before. I saw that.

[00:52:24]>> True.

[00:52:25]>> When I went over to my friend's house with my boys, the kids were all playing on the trampoline, jumping around. I ran into the house for not even 3 minutes.

[00:52:33]Came back out. There was a couple rocks on the trampoline, but no kid had one in their hand, nor were they even facing their property. You're saying your kids had no involvement in those rocks getting in in her yard?

[00:52:43]>> As far as I know, it happened to be from the pile of rocks in front of their garage.

[00:52:46]>> And it happened to be a coincidence because I looked at the evidence. It happened to be a coincidence that the rocks that you saw your kids had on the trampoline ended up in her yard.

[00:52:56]>> I'm sorry.

[00:52:57]>> The same rocks that they have in their driveway.

[00:53:00]>> Let me see the photos. Let me see your evidence. This is your friend's yard.

[00:53:04]Yeah.

[00:53:04]>> What is this a photo of? It's photo stately showing that there is a safety net that is I measured 5' 6 in >> and you're telling me that what is this a photo of? I'm not asking >> showing that the kids would have to try to whip it up over the safety net clear the fence into their yard.

[00:53:21]>> This is your friend's yard is your yard directly other side of that stockade fence. That stockade fence is the property line.

[00:53:28]>> Let me see the next photo.

[00:53:32]>> Whose photo is this?

[00:53:33]>> Mine.

[00:53:33]>> Okay. What is this a photo of? It's a picture of all the different sized rocks that are under the trampoline. I grabbed the biggest one that I could find in the medium, in the small, and I measured it to show that it none of them were more than an inch in diameter.

[00:53:45]>> Okay. So, you're not only saying your your kids didn't throw the rocks, you're also saying that the rocks could not have caused the damage she's saying they caused.

[00:53:52]>> Correct.

[00:53:52]>> Next photo. What is this a photo of?

[00:53:55]>> That is the Aero, the damage we are suing for.

[00:53:58]>> How are you alleging that a rock caused that dent?

[00:54:00]>> Exactly.

[00:54:01]>> It's the size of a rock.

[00:54:02]>> It's the size of a rock. And we actually have pictures of the rocks involved.

[00:54:05]>> Let me see your photos.

[00:54:06]>> Your honor, if you go back one picture, I can show you the dent.

[00:54:10]See the dent >> right there?

[00:54:13]>> It's like that big. How little rock can do that big of a dent, please.

[00:54:19]>> Wow.

[00:54:20]>> There's the dent right there.

[00:54:21]>> Yeah, that big. Okay, I do see that. And I see another one in the middle.

[00:54:24]>> Yeah, there's And then there's a couple more over here in the corner.

[00:54:26]>> Okay. And let me see your photo right here. And these were taken by the officer, not by >> You call the police that day?

[00:54:35]>> Yes. That morning?

[00:54:36]>> Do you have a police report? Yes, ma'am.

[00:54:37]We do. May I see that? What I'm looking at are rocks that are in the driveway of the plaintiff's yard. And these photos are date and timestamped 9:23 in the morning. And so at some point, you go over and apologize to her for your children's involvement. What happened?

[00:54:58]They called them saying that there's all these rocks in the driveway and they're claiming that our kids threw them over the trampoline.

[00:55:06]>> And so then >> so of course then you go to your kids and you say, "Hey, right, >> did you throw rocks over the trampoline?" And they say, "No." And that's the end of it, right?

[00:55:13]>> Right. And >> no, because then you go and apologize.

[00:55:19]>> So you talk to your kids and what did they tell you?

[00:55:21]>> I talked to my children.

[00:55:23]>> What did they say?

[00:55:24]>> And I asked them and they said no. I asked them multiple times if they asked if they threw the rocks and they said no.

[00:55:29]>> And so why do you then go over to her house to apologize? That doesn't make sense to me.

[00:55:33]>> No, I'm not finished yet. So after I had after I had asked them multiple times if they had done it, I was upset because I've taught my children better than that to throw rocks.

[00:55:45]>> So after I'd asked them, I was still upset and I kept asking them and asking them and ask them and finally they started crying and they wanted to uh I don't know, thought they were going to get in trouble. So then they said they did it. after I'd asked him multiple times because I knew they get in trouble children into making a confession.

[00:56:01]>> Yeah.

[00:56:03]>> Coming up, Judge Faith rules.

[00:56:13]And now, Judge Faith rules.

[00:56:18]>> They went over, they apologized, then they said, "Great. I'm glad you're sorry. Here's the bill. Oh, this is how much it cost to damage my car. They were like in trouble.

[00:56:27]>> They were sorry, but they they're not that sorry.

[00:56:32]>> There was no way that they could charge anyone vandalism because there's >> you know what I call the best evidence in the world? A confession. And someone says they did it.

[00:56:39]>> I don't I don't go looking for more evidence.

[00:56:41]>> How do you think THAT'S A CONFESSION?

[00:56:42]>> YOU WANT YOU WANT corroboration of your four-year-old and a children telling you they did it. That's not enough for you.

[00:56:48]You need independent corroboration. Now, this is body cam video of a police officer showing up to your home when you're making the report.

[00:56:55]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:56:56]>> Okay.

[00:56:56]>> He come out to go to work and there were two rocks on the hood of his car.

[00:56:59]>> Okay.

[00:57:00]>> Come out on the hood of my car.

[00:57:02]>> A dent.

[00:57:02]>> There's rocks in my boat.

[00:57:04]>> There's rocks next to my other vehicle.

[00:57:05]There's big rocks everywhere. We don't >> Okay. And who do you think did it?

[00:57:10]>> Them right there.

[00:57:11]>> Because when they jump in their trampoline, their toys go on my boat, which is not a big deal. I throw the toys back. Oh, >> okay.

[00:57:16]>> But we don't get along with them.

[00:57:17]>> That's where shrapnel comes from. How else would it get in my boat?

[00:57:20]>> Right.

[00:57:21]>> I got two things in the truck and I got a dent in my hood of my car. Okay.

[00:57:24]>> And I got a boat full of rocks.

[00:57:26]>> Okay.

[00:57:26]>> I mean, you can look in the boat.

[00:57:28]>> No, they're all over the floor. There's one right there.

[00:57:30]>> I know. But there's a bunch by the motor.

[00:57:32]>> Yeah, there's a bunch of them by my motor. Unless I got $20,000 to replace my boat, they better knock it off, >> right?

[00:57:39]>> Somebody wasn't watching them. They were throwing the rocks. I have no there is no question in my mind based on your testimony alone that your kids were involved. Forget everything they said. Just based on what you told me, I can make my ruling in this case.

[00:57:54]What's your counter claim about? $835 >> for the subpoena fees and the DVD fee that I >> Okay, that's dismissed. Judgement for the plaint of $823.

[00:58:07]PEOPLE make a mockery out of the neighborhood that I don't watch my kids and I don't make them take responsibility to just see what has happened. She was absolutely fair and absolutely just and I think they got what they deserve.

[00:58:20]There's no way that they have proof that our kids did it. How are they going to whip a rock way up over that fence when they're this tall? It just it doesn't make sense, >> right? There's no evidence that shows that our kids did that. There were scared little kids.