1
00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,133
She hit me first, Your Honor.
2
00:00:05,133 --> 00:00:07,967
We're not talking about hitting,
I'm talking about vandalizing a car.
3
00:00:07,967 --> 00:00:09,667
She also threatened me with a knife.
4
00:00:09,667 --> 00:00:12,066
You go outside with a knife.
5
00:00:12,066 --> 00:00:13,233
Yes.
6
00:00:13,233 --> 00:00:16,467
Over a guy.
7
00:00:16,567 --> 00:00:19,700
This is Judy Justice.
8
00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:41,633
Autumn Burke is suing
her former friend Freya Brown
9
00:00:41,633 --> 00:00:45,000
for vandalizing her car
and an assault.
10
00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,867
Court come to order. All rise.
11
00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:49,800
Have a seat, please.
12
00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,967
Hello, Judge. Case 2186.
Burke versus Brown.
13
00:00:52,967 --> 00:00:54,700
Thank you.
14
00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:57,400
Ms. Burke, I understand that you
and the defendant met
15
00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,166
when you were both in foster care.
16
00:00:59,166 --> 00:01:00,834
- Yes.
- How old are you?
17
00:01:00,834 --> 00:01:01,900
Nineteen.
18
00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,100
And how old were you?
If I can ask you these questions.
19
00:01:04,100 --> 00:01:06,367
If you're uncomfortable,
please let me know.
20
00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:08,600
How old were you
when you went into foster care?
21
00:01:08,700 --> 00:01:10,333
Sixteen, I believe.
22
00:01:10,433 --> 00:01:12,767
Were you originally placed
in group homes?
23
00:01:12,867 --> 00:01:13,767
Yes.
24
00:01:13,867 --> 00:01:18,567
And through Orangewood Foundation
as well as transitional housing programs.
25
00:01:18,767 --> 00:01:21,667
When did you start transitional housing
from group homes?
26
00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:24,033
{\an8}I started that when I was 17.
27
00:01:24,033 --> 00:01:28,567
{\an8}Um, that was in 2021,
where I was roommates with Freya,
28
00:01:28,867 --> 00:01:30,700
and we lived there.
29
00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,033
Okay. And could you describe the facility
where you were living?
30
00:01:34,133 --> 00:01:37,100
We were living in Tustin
in an apartment complex
31
00:01:37,100 --> 00:01:39,734
where they rent out the rooms
32
00:01:39,867 --> 00:01:43,934
and they have uh, foster kids
go in there, and then they pay.
33
00:01:43,934 --> 00:01:47,100
Well, they don't pay rent,
but it's a transitional program
34
00:01:47,100 --> 00:01:50,500
to move up to the extended foster care
transitional housing program
35
00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:51,834
for after you're 18.
36
00:01:51,834 --> 00:01:54,233
So it's better be to be placed
into this one.
37
00:01:54,367 --> 00:01:56,633
So it helps foundation towards
the next one.
38
00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,200
- Towards total independence?
- Yes.
39
00:01:59,300 --> 00:02:02,367
And how long did you stay
in that facility? Until when?
40
00:02:02,633 --> 00:02:04,500
Like, a few months after I turned 18,
41
00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:06,600
I got into the Costa Mesa
42
00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,100
transitional housing.
43
00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:12,867
Okay, from Costa Mesa,
did you go into any other facility
44
00:02:12,967 --> 00:02:14,367
through the foster care system,
45
00:02:14,367 --> 00:02:17,800
or you're then supposed to get a job
and get on your own two feet?
46
00:02:17,900 --> 00:02:20,166
So this program,
the Independent Living Program,
47
00:02:20,166 --> 00:02:21,867
it's really hard for foster kids
to get into.
48
00:02:21,967 --> 00:02:24,700
You have to be set up
with all the requirements.
49
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:25,800
And so...
50
00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:28,000
What kind of requirements?
Are there academic requirements?
51
00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:29,667
Yeah, academic requirements.
52
00:02:29,767 --> 00:02:32,066
Working, going to school,
53
00:02:32,066 --> 00:02:35,266
meeting with the manager
that comes in every week.
54
00:02:35,266 --> 00:02:36,333
Yes.
55
00:02:36,433 --> 00:02:38,433
Were you going to school?
- Yes.
56
00:02:38,433 --> 00:02:40,734
{\an8}- What school were you going to?
- Golden West College.
57
00:02:40,734 --> 00:02:42,500
- Are you still going to school?
- Yes.
58
00:02:42,500 --> 00:02:45,667
I currently am taking a break
from this semester,
59
00:02:45,767 --> 00:02:47,934
but I'm still going to continue it.
60
00:02:47,934 --> 00:02:49,400
Are you working?
- Yes.
61
00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:51,000
And you're living on your own?
62
00:02:51,300 --> 00:02:54,800
I'm renting a room out in Irvine
with two different roommates.
63
00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:56,066
And Ms. Brown, what about you?
64
00:02:56,066 --> 00:02:59,667
How long have you been in the foster care
system and how old are you now?
65
00:02:59,667 --> 00:03:02,867
{\an8}I've been in the foster care system since
I was 13 years old.
66
00:03:02,967 --> 00:03:04,567
{\an8}I am currently 19.
67
00:03:04,567 --> 00:03:05,600
Tell me where you're living.
68
00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:10,667
Right now I live in a rented room
in a house also in Irvine.
69
00:03:10,667 --> 00:03:13,467
- Tell me what you're doing.
- Right now I work in sales.
70
00:03:13,467 --> 00:03:14,633
I'm a sales associate.
71
00:03:14,633 --> 00:03:16,533
- Is it a full-time job?
- It's part-time.
72
00:03:16,533 --> 00:03:19,233
I'm also in school.
I go to Fullerton College,
73
00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:20,900
and I'm a biology major.
74
00:03:21,066 --> 00:03:23,100
Interesting.
Are you good in science?
75
00:03:23,233 --> 00:03:26,734
I really liked science in high school,
so, yeah.
76
00:03:26,734 --> 00:03:28,900
Well, you seem like two
absolutely delightful ladies.
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00:03:28,900 --> 00:03:31,200
I don't know why
you got into this kerfuffle,
78
00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:35,266
but each one of you claim
that you were assaulted by the other.
79
00:03:35,266 --> 00:03:38,367
You claim that Ms. Brown
caused vandalism to your car.
80
00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:42,967
Ms. Brown says that you had her
falsely arrested after this altercation,
81
00:03:43,133 --> 00:03:46,700
which seems to be
an unhappy event over a guy.
82
00:03:47,834 --> 00:03:48,834
Over a guy.
83
00:03:48,834 --> 00:03:52,834
I mean, there are necessary evils.
But over a guy!
84
00:03:54,367 --> 00:03:59,100
So two lovely girls who've probably
weathered a lot of storms in your life
85
00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:03,734
to keep together that most 15-,
16-year-olds don't have to do.
86
00:04:04,500 --> 00:04:09,133
How could two nice girls
get into a kerfuffle over a guy?
87
00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:11,533
- I have no idea.
- Go.
88
00:04:11,734 --> 00:04:14,400
Okay, so on September 2nd,
near 10:00 p.m.,
89
00:04:14,767 --> 00:04:18,467
I was cooking us dinner,
and Freya was sitting at the counter.
90
00:04:18,700 --> 00:04:22,033
{\an8}And then while I'm cooking dinner,
I get a call from my ex.
91
00:04:22,033 --> 00:04:24,867
{\an8}- And he's just...
- From your ex-boyfriend, not ex-husband?
92
00:04:24,867 --> 00:04:26,033
Oh, yes.
93
00:04:26,033 --> 00:04:28,133
- From your ex-boyfriend?
- Yes.
94
00:04:28,133 --> 00:04:30,633
Okay. And his name is,
what's his first name?
95
00:04:30,767 --> 00:04:35,400
- Uh, I would prefer...
- Let's call him Kat.
96
00:04:35,567 --> 00:04:36,633
Kat, yeah.
97
00:04:38,066 --> 00:04:40,033
- So Kat...
- You get a call from Kat.
98
00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:41,700
Do you know Kat?
99
00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,033
Personally, no,
I do not know him.
100
00:04:43,033 --> 00:04:44,867
Have you ever met him?
- No, I have not.
101
00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:47,533
Okay, so now you get a call from Kat,
102
00:04:47,633 --> 00:04:49,867
and how long has he been
your ex-boyfriend?
103
00:04:49,867 --> 00:04:54,066
Well, we just have a "situationship."
Like, it was just off and on.
104
00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,734
But he just called me, and I just had him
on the phone on speaker and...
105
00:04:57,834 --> 00:04:59,834
So you had him on speakerphone,
you're cooking her dinner,
106
00:04:59,834 --> 00:05:00,967
she's sitting at the counter?
107
00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:04,266
Yeah, and he starts making
flirtatious comments, like saying
108
00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,467
if I had any cute friends near around?
109
00:05:06,567 --> 00:05:09,066
And I know it doesn't sound right, but...
110
00:05:09,433 --> 00:05:11,567
It doesn't, no.
It doesn't sound good, Ms. Burke.
111
00:05:11,567 --> 00:05:14,900
Yeah, but that's just like, I know him
and that's like a different story,
112
00:05:14,900 --> 00:05:16,500
but regardless, then Freya...
113
00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:19,266
So, what was he saying?
I wanna know what he was saying.
114
00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,734
You have to tell me 'cause she probably
remembers what he was saying.
115
00:05:22,734 --> 00:05:25,567
- I do.
- So, if you don't remember, I'll ask her.
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00:05:25,567 --> 00:05:26,567
What did he say?
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00:05:26,567 --> 00:05:30,100
{\an8}He asked, in general, if I had any cute
friends near me or any around,
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00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:33,100
just saying if there is any cute friends
near me so that he...
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00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:34,033
- That's not what happened.
- Okay.
120
00:05:34,266 --> 00:05:37,000
So, your ex-boyfriend
calls you and asks you
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00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,567
if you have any cute friends around?
122
00:05:38,567 --> 00:05:40,934
Yes.
- And you didn't just hang up on him?
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00:05:41,133 --> 00:05:45,400
Well, yes, well, I told him,
I said that I can't like see him tonight
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00:05:45,767 --> 00:05:47,600
and that he shouldn't be saying that.
125
00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:51,900
But the call ended 'cause he had to go,
'cause he had to go back to work.
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00:05:52,066 --> 00:05:53,100
So, it ended quick.
127
00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:56,100
Wait, just a second. He must have
said something that annoyed her.
128
00:05:56,100 --> 00:05:58,567
That was it.
He just asked if I had...
129
00:05:58,567 --> 00:06:01,433
Okay, you don't remember.
What did he say?
130
00:06:01,667 --> 00:06:05,000
He called her, they were talking
for a minute, and then she was saying,
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00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:08,166
you know, "Oh, I miss you," this and that.
And he was like, "Can I come over?"
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00:06:08,166 --> 00:06:11,233
At which point she told him,
"Oh, I'm with my two friends."
133
00:06:11,233 --> 00:06:13,533
And he was like,
"Oh, what do they look like?
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00:06:13,533 --> 00:06:15,333
Are they cute? How old are they?"
135
00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:19,200
Which I thought was disrespectful to me
and also disrespectful to her.
136
00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,400
{\an8}I was trying to be a good friend.
I informed her of it and...
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00:06:22,700 --> 00:06:26,867
{\an8}So, he was acting... like a guy?
Yeah.
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00:06:27,433 --> 00:06:28,600
- You know...
- Yes.
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00:06:28,734 --> 00:06:31,800
Think before you talk,
there's no filter here.
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00:06:32,533 --> 00:06:34,100
So, he said, "Oh really?
You can't come over.
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00:06:34,100 --> 00:06:36,667
You have two friends. Are they cute?
Are they nice-looking?"
142
00:06:36,667 --> 00:06:39,967
And just to tell you, Ms. Brown,
I don't think it was disrespectful.
143
00:06:40,333 --> 00:06:42,300
I just think it's a stupid remark.
144
00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:43,834
No.
You know, do you understand?
145
00:06:43,834 --> 00:06:45,400
I understand, but...
It's just stupid.
146
00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,300
The tone and then the content--
cause I, it was on speaker.
147
00:06:48,300 --> 00:06:50,100
Like, I could hear everything, so...
148
00:06:50,266 --> 00:06:52,867
So, when he hung up,
what did you say to her?
149
00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,533
After they hung up,
I didn't say anything to her.
150
00:06:55,700 --> 00:06:58,767
She said to me, she was like,
"You don't know him.
151
00:06:58,767 --> 00:07:00,233
You know, like, we're in love."
152
00:07:00,333 --> 00:07:02,000
- And you said to her?
- Basically saying I don't know him.
153
00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,000
So, I was like, "Yes, you're
completely right I don't know him,
154
00:07:05,100 --> 00:07:07,767
but I don't wanna hang out with him,"
basically is what I told her.
155
00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:09,600
Well, was he coming over?
- No, no.
156
00:07:09,734 --> 00:07:11,266
No, no, no.
- I was just telling her like...
157
00:07:11,367 --> 00:07:14,867
And what's your version? After he hung up,
let me hear your version of what she said.
158
00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:19,834
Okay, so after I hung up, it was just
practically some of what she said,
159
00:07:19,834 --> 00:07:23,266
but it was more in an aggressive way
and with a lot of attitude, and...
160
00:07:23,266 --> 00:07:24,934
Show me.
161
00:07:24,934 --> 00:07:27,700
Uh, I get done with the phone
and I'm cooking and then,
162
00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:31,400
she wants to like humble under her breath
and like say like, I don't know,
163
00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:34,166
just rude things about the call,
like just looking at me weird.
164
00:07:34,266 --> 00:07:36,200
And I'm l like, what's the problem?
And I was just...
165
00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,633
Okay, so she's looking at you weird
and you say, "What's the problem?"
166
00:07:39,633 --> 00:07:41,000
And she says?
167
00:07:41,166 --> 00:07:43,266
{\an8}I don't know, she was going off and about
168
00:07:43,266 --> 00:07:46,700
{\an8}and then she started throwing trash
on my counter and then threw it at me.
169
00:07:46,834 --> 00:07:48,533
- Yeah, you did.
- That is not true.
170
00:07:48,633 --> 00:07:51,533
Now, I have to tell you something.
So far it makes sense.
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00:07:51,700 --> 00:07:54,600
But then I don't want you to tell me,
she just went from,
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00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,300
nothing disrespectful to throwing food
around the counter.
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00:07:57,300 --> 00:07:59,166
- That didn't happen.
- That did not.
174
00:07:59,166 --> 00:08:02,734
Okay. So, before she started
throwing the trash on my counter,
175
00:08:02,734 --> 00:08:05,600
she was saying, um,
how that I had attitude,
176
00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,100
but I was telling her
that I did not have attitude.
177
00:08:08,100 --> 00:08:09,900
I was trying to deescalate the situation.
178
00:08:10,967 --> 00:08:13,367
So far we're not attitude.
So far she's mumbling.
179
00:08:13,367 --> 00:08:15,033
- No, that's what she said.
- She said it under her breath?
180
00:08:15,033 --> 00:08:19,367
Yeah, and then so she, I don't know,
like I said, it was a snap of a finger.
181
00:08:19,367 --> 00:08:21,467
Like, I'd never seen her switch like that.
182
00:08:21,467 --> 00:08:24,467
And, you know, I was confused,
and then after she threw the trash,
183
00:08:24,467 --> 00:08:26,967
I told her to grab your stuff
and get outta my house.
184
00:08:26,967 --> 00:08:30,133
And so I gave her time,
she went in my room, grabbed her stuff,
185
00:08:30,333 --> 00:08:34,967
I waited by the door, I had it wide open.
And she's just cursing and yelling
186
00:08:35,133 --> 00:08:38,100
and just like, just,
I didn't want her in my house.
187
00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:39,700
And if I would've known
she was like that...
188
00:08:39,700 --> 00:08:43,300
No, no, no. Don't-- let's not.
Don't go down any tributaries.
189
00:08:47,033 --> 00:08:49,333
{\an8}When you got out to the car,
she had a brick in her hand.
190
00:08:49,333 --> 00:08:50,834
{\an8}Was there any damage to the car?
191
00:08:50,834 --> 00:08:54,266
{\an8}Yes, I have photos, proof,
to the left driver's side
192
00:08:54,266 --> 00:08:56,066
{\an8}and there's a video as well
193
00:08:56,166 --> 00:08:57,800
{\an8}of the neighbor's Ring camera
194
00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:00,266
{\an8}showing her vandalizing my car.
195
00:09:00,266 --> 00:09:02,667
{\an8}Okay, I'll see the video.
196
00:09:13,533 --> 00:09:16,400
Autumn Burke
claims her former friend,
197
00:09:16,667 --> 00:09:20,200
{\an8}Freya Brown, owes for vandalism
and an assault.
198
00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:25,233
Freya is countersuing for an assault
and filing a false police report.
199
00:09:25,667 --> 00:09:27,467
There's a piece that I'm missing
from this story,
200
00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:29,867
but let's say that following
your timeline,
201
00:09:29,967 --> 00:09:32,700
what probably makes sense
is you got into an argument,
202
00:09:32,967 --> 00:09:35,166
{\an8}you said to her, "You know,
he's really not that way.
203
00:09:35,166 --> 00:09:38,133
{\an8}He's really a nice guy and I love him."
204
00:09:38,900 --> 00:09:42,233
{\an8}And she said, "Well, somebody
who really loves you doesn't say,
205
00:09:42,233 --> 00:09:45,233
'I wanna come over and hang out
with your two good-looking friends.'"
206
00:09:45,233 --> 00:09:47,667
That could escalate
into something that's angry.
207
00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,000
Your Honor, well, the thing is,
when she did mention those things,
208
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:52,633
they weren't calm as you expressed.
209
00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:53,934
- Yes, they were.
- No, they weren't.
210
00:09:53,934 --> 00:09:55,233
They were very aggressive.
211
00:09:55,233 --> 00:09:57,000
They could have been
aggressive, but that's...
212
00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:58,900
- They could've been aggressive but...
- And I couldn't see the reason
213
00:09:58,900 --> 00:10:00,700
why it shouldn't have been
that way at all.
214
00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:03,266
Listen, I'm not saying
I agree with you or not,
215
00:10:03,266 --> 00:10:06,867
but I'm saying that common sense
dictates to me that if you're on the phone
216
00:10:06,867 --> 00:10:10,934
with somebody that you still like,
and that you're an on-again, off-again,
217
00:10:10,934 --> 00:10:14,133
and, "You can't come over today
because I have two friends here."
218
00:10:14,133 --> 00:10:15,367
"Oh, really?
You have two friends?
219
00:10:15,367 --> 00:10:17,500
Maybe I'll come over
and hang out with your two friends."
220
00:10:17,633 --> 00:10:19,500
She found that disrespectful.
221
00:10:19,500 --> 00:10:24,000
I actually find it disrespectful to you
and disrespectful to him.
222
00:10:24,367 --> 00:10:26,100
You really have nothing to do with it,
Ms. Brown,
223
00:10:26,233 --> 00:10:28,433
somebody else was being a schlemiel.
224
00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,533
No. I mean I wasn't saying like... Okay.
225
00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:34,600
All right, so now you tell her
to get out, open her things,
226
00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:36,500
she's out the door, and...?
227
00:10:36,500 --> 00:10:40,100
Well, no, she's not out the door yet.
So, then I have the door wide open.
228
00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,934
She comes and then we're
still, like, argumenting,
229
00:10:42,934 --> 00:10:44,700
and I'm trying to get her out
of my house.
230
00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:47,867
- She pushes me, and I go back into...
- That's not true.
231
00:10:47,967 --> 00:10:49,600
- Yes, it is.
- Ssh!
232
00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,533
I go back into the door,
and then she starts hitting on my arm,
233
00:10:52,533 --> 00:10:54,667
like hitting me,
so I'm like defending back.
234
00:10:54,667 --> 00:10:58,800
And it was just crazy, like,
I didn't realize I had the door wide open
235
00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,066
{\an8}for her to get out,
but, like, peacefully.
236
00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:02,967
{\an8}Okay, so she pushes you,
237
00:11:03,100 --> 00:11:05,367
{\an8}she puts her hands on you,
you put your hands on her,
238
00:11:05,367 --> 00:11:06,400
pushing, pushing.
239
00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:10,200
And up until that point, there's a lot
of maybe pushing, touching the arms,
240
00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,100
touching the hands,
but nobody is injured.
241
00:11:12,100 --> 00:11:14,233
Is that a fair statement?
Standing at the door?
242
00:11:14,233 --> 00:11:17,100
Well, I got assaulted
'cause I have the pictures
243
00:11:17,333 --> 00:11:19,133
to show that my nail came off.
244
00:11:19,233 --> 00:11:21,066
No, I just,
I'm asking you a question.
245
00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:24,166
Up until that time, did your nail
come off during that time?
246
00:11:24,166 --> 00:11:26,767
- Yes.
- Was it a real nail or a fake nail?
247
00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:29,567
Both. Both of my nails came off.
Like it was...
248
00:11:29,567 --> 00:11:33,200
On the same finger?
You had a fake nail over your real nail?
249
00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:34,567
And it both ripped off.
250
00:11:34,567 --> 00:11:35,967
Okay.
I'll take a look.
251
00:11:47,033 --> 00:11:49,633
Okay, I see a black-and-blue mark
here that's under here.
252
00:11:49,633 --> 00:11:50,767
Mm-hmm.
- Right?
253
00:11:50,767 --> 00:11:53,834
Yes.
- And this is on your hand?
254
00:11:53,934 --> 00:11:54,800
Yes.
255
00:11:54,934 --> 00:11:57,734
What was this?
- From blocking her hitting me.
256
00:11:57,734 --> 00:12:00,467
- What was she hitting you with?
- Just her hands.
257
00:12:00,633 --> 00:12:03,400
She was just like a cat fight.
Like she just went crazy.
258
00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,100
And so I was figuring out,
trying to get her out of my house.
259
00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:08,567
Okay. Did you respond
to her hitting you?
260
00:12:08,667 --> 00:12:10,800
- Yes.
- Yes. Do you have any photographs?
261
00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:12,700
- Yes, I do have photos.
- I'd like to take a look.
262
00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:13,633
Okay.
263
00:12:24,467 --> 00:12:27,533
- So, I see a scratch above your eye.
- Mm-hmm.
264
00:12:27,900 --> 00:12:30,467
And a little bruise
on this part of your hand.
265
00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:32,934
- Is that what it is?
- Yes, on my wrist.
266
00:12:33,033 --> 00:12:36,033
And then there's a bruise on,
is it this part of your elbow?
267
00:12:36,033 --> 00:12:36,967
My elbow, yes.
268
00:12:37,166 --> 00:12:40,533
Okay, so now you're arguing
with each other,
269
00:12:40,734 --> 00:12:42,567
you both get banged up a little bit.
270
00:12:42,767 --> 00:12:44,100
- Now she's outside.
- Yes.
271
00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,800
And what did you do?
You finally got her out the front door.
272
00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:50,500
So, after a few minutes, she called me
and said, "Warning, I'm at your car."
273
00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:53,200
So, when I heard that,
I called the cops immediately
274
00:12:53,333 --> 00:12:55,800
and I asked them to come down
because I think she's gonna be
275
00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,100
vandalizing
my car or God knows what.
276
00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:01,100
{\an8}And then, so, when that happened,
277
00:13:01,100 --> 00:13:05,066
{\an8}me and my witness, Jasmine,
we walked down outta my house
278
00:13:05,066 --> 00:13:09,300
{\an8}'cause I wanted to go see, like,
if my car, like, what was going on.
279
00:13:09,700 --> 00:13:12,500
And so, as I'm walking out,
my car's parked over here.
280
00:13:12,767 --> 00:13:14,967
Um, Freya's over here,
and so when I'm walking out,
281
00:13:14,967 --> 00:13:18,233
then I meet her right here,
and she has a brick in her hands.
282
00:13:18,467 --> 00:13:21,333
And, yeah, she had a brick in her hand
the whole time
283
00:13:21,333 --> 00:13:23,500
until the cops came
and then they arrested her,
284
00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:27,000
and they asked me if I wanted to file
for assault and vandalization,
285
00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,233
and I said yes.
286
00:13:28,233 --> 00:13:31,400
Okay, and when you got out to the car,
she had a brick in her hand.
287
00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:33,000
Was there any damage to the car?
288
00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,233
Yes, I have photos, proof,
to the left driver's side,
289
00:13:36,567 --> 00:13:39,967
{\an8}and there's a video as well
of the neighbor's Ring camera
290
00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:42,166
{\an8}showing her vandalizing my car.
291
00:13:42,367 --> 00:13:43,367
- Yeah.
- Oh, sorry.
292
00:13:43,367 --> 00:13:45,133
Lemme see the damage,
and then I'll see the video.
293
00:13:45,133 --> 00:13:46,200
Thank you.
294
00:13:56,767 --> 00:13:59,533
- Okay, now I'll see the video.
- Okay.
295
00:14:12,633 --> 00:14:14,600
This bitch won't let me
get in a chat fight.
296
00:14:16,166 --> 00:14:18,834
You're good. I'm good.
297
00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:58,767
Okey-dokey!
298
00:14:59,433 --> 00:15:01,433
That's where you were arrested,
Ms. Brown?
299
00:15:01,433 --> 00:15:03,667
{\an8}- Yes.
- Have you ever seen that video before?
300
00:15:03,667 --> 00:15:05,200
{\an8}- I have not.
- You have not?
301
00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:06,934
- No.
- Okay.
302
00:15:08,033 --> 00:15:09,867
Can I see the estimates
to the damage to your car?
303
00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:11,000
Yes, ma'am.
304
00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:16,633
Tell me when you bought this car.
305
00:15:16,633 --> 00:15:19,500
I bought this car
on August 1st in 2022.
306
00:15:20,033 --> 00:15:22,800
It was my first car.
I paid for it full all by myself.
307
00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:24,066
You paid for it in cash?
308
00:15:24,066 --> 00:15:26,000
Oh, yes. And a check.
309
00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:28,700
Okay. How long had
you been saving for the car?
310
00:15:28,700 --> 00:15:30,800
{\an8}Oh, I've been saving for it for years.
311
00:15:30,934 --> 00:15:33,233
{\an8}Like, a few years,
ever since I've been working.
312
00:15:33,233 --> 00:15:34,467
How much did you pay for it?
313
00:15:34,467 --> 00:15:40,133
I paid a total of, I believe 7,300
and something dollars.
314
00:15:41,266 --> 00:15:43,800
Okay. So, the estimate to fix the car...
315
00:15:44,934 --> 00:15:48,033
is $3,777?
316
00:15:48,033 --> 00:15:49,133
Yes, ma'am.
317
00:15:49,233 --> 00:15:53,800
And the next thing is this price
of the vehicle for which you paid 7350.
318
00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:54,734
Yes.
319
00:15:55,300 --> 00:15:59,033
Now Ms. Brown, one would say to you
as a result of seeing that video,
320
00:15:59,033 --> 00:16:00,433
temper, temper, temper,
you may have a temper.
321
00:16:00,433 --> 00:16:01,867
You can't do what you did.
322
00:16:01,867 --> 00:16:03,633
Would you acknowledge
that you can't do what you did?
323
00:16:03,633 --> 00:16:04,934
- Yes, I acknowledge that.
- Great.
324
00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:07,200
So that means that you have
to take care of this problem.
325
00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:08,734
She hit me first, Your Honor.
326
00:16:08,734 --> 00:16:10,500
- We're not talking about hitting.
- I understand.
327
00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:12,467
I'm talking about vandalizing a car.
328
00:16:15,133 --> 00:16:18,633
{\an8}- She says the weapon was a knife.
- It was.
329
00:16:18,767 --> 00:16:21,133
{\an8}And the knife was being held by you.
330
00:16:21,133 --> 00:16:22,934
{\an8}- Yes, in self-defense.
- So, you took...
331
00:16:22,934 --> 00:16:25,300
{\an8}No, she says it's not in self-defense
anymore, madam.
332
00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:28,266
{\an8}It's not self-defense. She's out.
She's away from you.
333
00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:43,433
Autumn Burke
has accused her former friend,
334
00:16:43,667 --> 00:16:46,633
{\an8}Freya Brown, of vandalism and assault.
335
00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,767
Freya claims Autumn
threatened her with a knife
336
00:16:49,967 --> 00:16:52,166
and filed a false police report.
337
00:16:52,166 --> 00:16:55,433
Neither one of you were hospitalized
as a result of this assault.
338
00:16:55,433 --> 00:16:57,266
You got a couple of
black-and-blue marks.
339
00:16:57,266 --> 00:16:58,600
- Two girls had a fight...
- She also threatened me with a knife.
340
00:16:58,600 --> 00:16:59,667
...and it shouldn't,
that shouldn't have happened.
341
00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:03,667
But now the fight is deescalated,
and you went outside
342
00:17:03,667 --> 00:17:07,200
and purposely vandalized her car
in a very, very aggressive way.
343
00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:09,367
And all I'm saying to you
is you understand
344
00:17:09,467 --> 00:17:10,934
that that was
temper, temper, temper.
345
00:17:10,934 --> 00:17:13,500
You're not allowed to,
do that and you have to pay for it.
346
00:17:13,500 --> 00:17:14,967
{\an8}She also threatened me
with a knife.
347
00:17:15,066 --> 00:17:17,000
She what?
- Threatened me with a knife.
348
00:17:17,100 --> 00:17:18,834
{\an8}Just a second. I didn't see that
349
00:17:18,834 --> 00:17:22,000
when you were out there by yourself
picking up a brick, right?
350
00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,300
- Yes.
- And that was a long video.
351
00:17:24,300 --> 00:17:26,233
I don't see her in that video at all.
352
00:17:26,667 --> 00:17:29,934
I just see you picking up the brick,
not doing enough damage,
353
00:17:30,033 --> 00:17:31,767
picking it up,
doing a little more damage,
354
00:17:31,767 --> 00:17:33,633
picking it up,
going to another side of the car,
355
00:17:33,633 --> 00:17:35,533
picking it up,
going to the front of the car.
356
00:17:35,533 --> 00:17:37,467
I don't see her there threatening you.
357
00:17:37,467 --> 00:17:38,767
She didn't threaten me at that point.
358
00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:41,300
Right. Clearly,
when you left the house,
359
00:17:41,467 --> 00:17:45,133
that ugly confrontation
had been deescalated.
360
00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:46,467
It had not, actually.
361
00:17:46,467 --> 00:17:49,333
Of course it was because you were out
there by yourself. You could have gone.
362
00:17:49,333 --> 00:17:52,700
And if it was an ugly confrontation,
you go to the police station and you say,
363
00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,233
"I left my license in my friend's car.
We had a fight.
364
00:17:55,233 --> 00:17:58,200
Could you come back with me
on a standby and get my license?"
365
00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:00,734
{\an8}Instead of using a brick
to bash in her car.
366
00:18:00,834 --> 00:18:03,066
{\an8}My circumstances
were different from Autumn's.
367
00:18:03,066 --> 00:18:04,433
{\an8}I would like to inform you of that.
368
00:18:04,433 --> 00:18:06,200
What were your different circumstances?
369
00:18:06,433 --> 00:18:08,967
Well, I was supposed to be
moving in three days,
370
00:18:08,967 --> 00:18:10,400
which Autumn was aware of.
371
00:18:10,500 --> 00:18:12,867
So, had I called the police and been like,
372
00:18:12,967 --> 00:18:17,166
oh, I need this help, then I would
have jeopardized my housing.
373
00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:20,166
Oh, no, that's not true.
Sorry. Sorry about that Ms. Brown.
374
00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,367
If you called the police
and merely said to them,
375
00:18:22,467 --> 00:18:24,233
"I don't wanna have
an argument with her,"
376
00:18:24,367 --> 00:18:26,867
that would not have jeopardized you
getting into housing.
377
00:18:26,967 --> 00:18:30,934
Having this fight
and vandalizing her car,
378
00:18:30,934 --> 00:18:33,000
that could prevent you
from getting into housing.
379
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,266
- That's what got me kicked out.
- I'm not, just I'm...
380
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,533
Just telling you,
calling the police is not an issue.
381
00:18:38,533 --> 00:18:43,667
Going outside and for a period
of probably at least 60 seconds
382
00:18:44,233 --> 00:18:47,667
and moving from different parts
of her car and hitting it with a brick
383
00:18:47,667 --> 00:18:50,066
and bending down
and picking up the brick again,
384
00:18:50,066 --> 00:18:53,867
that would prevent you
from getting into housing.
385
00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:57,200
I wasn't referring to the calling
the police. I meant the fighting.
386
00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:58,900
Oh, I'm not talking about the fighting.
387
00:18:58,900 --> 00:19:02,166
3775, that's the cost of fixing the car.
388
00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:05,200
Now the only other issue
that you have on your counterclaim
389
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,400
is for being falsely arrested.
390
00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:09,633
- Yes.
- I would arrest you for that.
391
00:19:09,633 --> 00:19:10,767
You should be.
392
00:19:10,767 --> 00:19:14,367
Listen, if I came out of my house
and found somebody bashing
393
00:19:14,700 --> 00:19:17,633
my property, I don't care
if we had a long-standing feud
394
00:19:17,633 --> 00:19:20,367
and we're, "Well, I have a long-standing
feud with her, we had an argument.
395
00:19:20,533 --> 00:19:21,533
We had a fight," whatever.
396
00:19:21,633 --> 00:19:25,734
That is not the natural progression
of having an altercation
397
00:19:25,734 --> 00:19:28,433
with an old friend,
going out and vandalizing her car.
398
00:19:28,533 --> 00:19:31,600
So your counter suit for being
falsely arrested is dismissed.
399
00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,934
Judgment for the plaintiff
in the amount of $3775.
400
00:19:36,133 --> 00:19:39,533
Your Honor, I would like to be
rightfully... for losing my housing
401
00:19:39,533 --> 00:19:41,734
during that process
because of that incident.
402
00:19:41,734 --> 00:19:44,300
{\an8}Because of the transitional housing
program I was in,
403
00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,834
{\an8}I got kicked out of it,
and so I had 30 days.
404
00:19:46,934 --> 00:19:51,000
So, I believe I should be getting for
that as well because...
405
00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:54,967
Where's the head of the Department
of Social Services to testify before me
406
00:19:54,967 --> 00:19:59,133
that the reason you lost your housing,
if in fact you did lose your housing,
407
00:19:59,133 --> 00:20:01,133
was because of this vandalism?
408
00:20:01,133 --> 00:20:02,767
You have a witness here
to tell me that?
409
00:20:03,133 --> 00:20:06,333
I have the 30-days' notice,
if that counts.
410
00:20:06,333 --> 00:20:07,667
- May. I'll take a look.
- Yes.
411
00:20:09,734 --> 00:20:10,834
Oh, here it is.
412
00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:19,266
This says, "This letter is to give you
written 30-day notice
413
00:20:21,066 --> 00:20:23,800
to move out
of the transitional housing program.
414
00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,333
You were involved
in a verbal-physical altercation
415
00:20:26,333 --> 00:20:28,533
which involved a weapon
with another individual
416
00:20:28,533 --> 00:20:32,567
and resulted in the police being called
on September 1st, 2022.
417
00:20:32,667 --> 00:20:35,166
When you went to the program, you
were informed and signed paperwork
418
00:20:35,266 --> 00:20:38,100
agreeing to our program rules
and expectations."
419
00:20:38,433 --> 00:20:39,934
Who was it alleged
that had the weapon?
420
00:20:39,934 --> 00:20:41,133
She had a knife.
421
00:20:41,133 --> 00:20:43,967
I brought-- that's self-defense.
I dropped it right when I saw you.
422
00:20:43,967 --> 00:20:45,066
Just a second.
- No, you didn't.
423
00:20:45,066 --> 00:20:46,133
- Yeah, I did.
- Just a second.
424
00:20:46,133 --> 00:20:47,233
Well, just a second.
425
00:20:47,333 --> 00:20:49,967
She says the weapon was a knife.
426
00:20:49,967 --> 00:20:53,200
- It was.
- And the knife was being held by you.
427
00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:54,800
- Yes, for self-defense.
- So, you took...
428
00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,333
No, she says not in self-defense
anymore, madam.
429
00:20:57,467 --> 00:21:00,600
It's not self-defense. She's out.
She's away from you.
430
00:21:00,734 --> 00:21:04,633
{\an8}Your choice is
to call the police and wait.
431
00:21:04,633 --> 00:21:06,667
Your choice is not to pick up a knife.
432
00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:08,967
'Cause so far
this altercation has been
433
00:21:08,967 --> 00:21:13,033
a lot of tussling between girls
that shouldn't have happened.
434
00:21:13,266 --> 00:21:15,734
But so far,
nothing involved a weapon.
435
00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:17,800
So, you went outside with a knife.
436
00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,300
And according to the rules,
you can't do that.
437
00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:22,834
And that was the reason
that you lost your housing
438
00:21:22,834 --> 00:21:24,400
because there's no other reason.
439
00:21:24,633 --> 00:21:28,433
It said it involved a weapon,
and they listed the rules.
440
00:21:28,700 --> 00:21:33,533
Drugs, alcohol, assault,
danger-making threats.
441
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,400
Well, you have a knife,
that's threats, whatever.
442
00:21:37,266 --> 00:21:41,934
3775, fix your car.
You're not allowed to do that to her car.
443
00:21:42,367 --> 00:21:44,800
That's a hissy fit.
Figure out how to do it.
444
00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:46,433
Your counterclaim's dismissed.
445
00:21:46,433 --> 00:21:49,133
You should have been arrested
for vandalism, goodbye.
446
00:21:49,133 --> 00:21:50,500
This court is adjourned.
447
00:21:52,700 --> 00:21:55,266
{\an8}Well, I was in shock.
I was like, wow.
448
00:21:55,367 --> 00:21:59,100
{\an8}Like I, over no reason.
Over my ex calling me?
449
00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:01,934
{\an8}Like, come on,
like we're adults now.
450
00:22:02,066 --> 00:22:05,233
{\an8}I'm gonna move on with my life and just go
up from here and not down here,
451
00:22:05,333 --> 00:22:07,433
{\an8}where other people
like to take me down to their level.
452
00:22:07,533 --> 00:22:12,033
{\an8}I'm super thankful to have her handle
my case today. She is a queen.
453
00:22:13,567 --> 00:22:16,967
You know what I was really impressed
with, with both of those girls, Sarah?
454
00:22:17,066 --> 00:22:18,867
You know,
I know the foster care system
455
00:22:18,867 --> 00:22:22,700
usually wherever it is,
can be a brutal system to negotiate.
456
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:27,600
And these two young women,
at least on the surface,
457
00:22:27,767 --> 00:22:29,967
appear to have negotiated it
458
00:22:29,967 --> 00:22:33,967
in an orderly, reasonable way.
459
00:22:34,066 --> 00:22:36,300
- I mean, she's living on her own.
- Mm-hmm.
460
00:22:36,300 --> 00:22:38,867
She evidently worked for a very long time
461
00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,967
because she saved up
and bought her own car.
462
00:22:41,967 --> 00:22:43,033
- That's...
- Yeah.
463
00:22:43,033 --> 00:22:44,700
- It's a big deal.
- I wanna respond, that's a big deal.
464
00:22:44,700 --> 00:22:48,800
And even be able to figure out the system,
which even as lawyers sometimes
465
00:22:48,900 --> 00:22:52,300
we have a difficult time navigating things
in the foster care system.
466
00:22:52,300 --> 00:22:56,467
To figure out this transitional program
that better sets you up for the next step,
467
00:22:56,567 --> 00:22:58,100
that sets you up better
for the next step.
468
00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:00,734
I respected that, that she took
the time to figure out...
469
00:23:00,834 --> 00:23:02,233
- Both of them.
- Both, both.
470
00:23:02,333 --> 00:23:06,266
Their best possible options for navigating
the system that they were placed in.
471
00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:07,800
- Both working.
- Yes.
472
00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:11,500
Both going to school to try to get
themselves into a better circumstance.
473
00:23:11,500 --> 00:23:15,233
The defendant certainly is
a biology major, which fascinates me.
474
00:23:15,233 --> 00:23:16,800
- Not our thing.
- Not our thing.
475
00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:18,066
Great for her.
476
00:23:18,333 --> 00:23:22,834
But clearly, bright young women
who made it to a place at age 19.
477
00:23:23,166 --> 00:23:24,934
- That's really terrific.
- Yeah.
478
00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:28,467
And supportive of each other
because one had a license, one didn't.
479
00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:30,767
So, they were supporting each other.
480
00:23:30,867 --> 00:23:35,700
All very little-- and get
into a kerfuffle over nothing.
481
00:23:35,834 --> 00:23:39,567
It shows just how fast all that work
and all that preparation
482
00:23:39,567 --> 00:23:43,066
for the next step and for the housing
can just crumble.
483
00:23:43,066 --> 00:23:45,967
Can just unravel.
Really sad. That's sad.
484
00:23:45,967 --> 00:23:47,734
But they seem like two nice young women
485
00:23:47,734 --> 00:23:50,967
and I think that they have a really--
both of them have a shot.
486
00:23:50,967 --> 00:23:52,633
Yeah, to make it back on track,
and I hope they do.
487
00:23:52,633 --> 00:23:53,867
Me too.
488
00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:57,100
Are you a victim of an assault?
489
00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,266
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