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{\an8}He was going to be our third roommate.
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He helped out with the rent,
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then he helped himself to your girlfriend.
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Correct.
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Hey! Try not to hold each other's hands.
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Let's do the coochie-coochie
someplace else.
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[narrator]
This is Judy Justice.
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{\an8}♪
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{\an8}[narrator]
Kamar Jalil is suing his former roommates,
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{\an8}Katie Calderon and Amonte Nepomuceno,
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for rent and the cost of two cats.
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[bailiff]
Court come to order. All rise.
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Have a seat, everyone.
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Case 2170:
Jalil v. Calderon/Nepomuceno.
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- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
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[Judy]
Oh, my goodness.
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- Calderon.
- Hello.
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What's your first name?
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Amonte.
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- [Judy] Amonte?
- Yeah.
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Good, it's much easier
than your last name to pronounce.
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Mr. Jalil, this roughly
is what the case is about.
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You and Miss Calderon
were in a relationship
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for a period of time.
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You decided to take an apartment.
You were both on the lease.
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- So far correct?
- Correct.
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[Judy]
Your arrangement with Miss Calderon,
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which seems to be consistent
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in both your complaint
and your answer
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is that you had a much better-paying job.
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She was going to provide the food
and some other stuff for the house,
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and you were going to be
covering the rent when you lived together.
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- Which you did.
- Correct.
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[Judy]
There came a time when Amonte,
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who was a friend of yours,
came to live with you.
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{\an8}According to you,
he was going to help out with the rent.
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{\an8}- Correct.
- [Judy] He came, he lived with you,
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he helped out with the rent
for maybe a period of time,
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and then he helped himself
to your girlfriend.
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{\an8}- Correct.
- [Judy] Now they're a couple.
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{\an8}When you were no longer a couple
with Miss Caldeorn,
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she stayed in the apartment
for a period of time.
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But then they both left.
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- Correct.
- [Judy] And you're suing both of them
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for rent and for the return
of two cats
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that they took when they left.
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- You claim the cats are yours.
- That's correct.
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[Judy]
That's what the case is about.
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And some cat expenses
in the event that I let them keep the cat.
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Cats. Two cats.
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So when did you and Miss Calderon
sign a lease together?
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We signed the lease together
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at the end of July
with the landlord present.
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- [Judy] July of 2022?
- July of 2021.
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- And it was for a year.
- [Kamar] Correct.
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{\an8}[Judy]
And you had a job working for whom, sir?
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{\an8}I worked for a company called Stairs.
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[Judy]
What do they do?
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They provide medical equipment
to hospitals all over the world.
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[Judy]
How long have you been working for them?
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I'm going to have eight years
under my belt this year.
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And when you moved into the apartment
in July of 2021,
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what kind of work was Miss Calderon doing?
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At the time, she was working at an,
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I want to say, an animal hotel.
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- It was a pet day care boarding facility.
- [Judy] Okay.
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Were you an hourly employee?
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I was an hourly employee.
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And I am correct
that when you moved in in July,
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your arrangement was that you were
going to pay the rent.
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- That was...
- [Judy] The arrangement.
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- Correct.
- [Judy] When did Amonte
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come to live with you?
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About August to...
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- That's not correct.
- [Judy] Shh!
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[shushing] Just...
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Amonte was going to be
our third roommate.
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- You mean one, two, three.
- [Kamar] Correct.
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{\an8}Well, you're not roommates, really.
You and the defendant, Miss Calderon,
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{\an8}were not roommates,
you shared a room.
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{\an8}We shared a room, and...
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And Amonte was going to live where?
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- In another room.
- [Judy] And what was your arrangement
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with Amonte with regard to paying rent?
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We would split the rent three ways.
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- [Judy] Is that correct?
- Yes.
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And how much was your share of the rent?
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I would say approximately 927.
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How long did you live there?
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I was there when they signed the lease.
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I watched it all happen
when they signed the lease.
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I came in, they signed everything.
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- [Judy] Well, you didn't sign the lease.
- I did not.
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[Judy] But you were there
from the beginning.
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- Yes.
- [Judy] And it was your agreement,
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{\an8}with the plaintiff,
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{\an8}- that you would pay a third of the rent?
- Yes.
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[laughs]
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[Judy] Great.
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- We asked the landlord to--
- [Judy] Okay, so--
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Hey! Try not to hold each other's hands.
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Let's do the coochie-coochie
someplace else.
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[laughter]
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So you agreed with the plaintiff
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that despite the fact
that you were not on the lease,
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you were going to assume
the responsibility
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of a third of the rent:
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- $927.
- Yes.
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So you moved in July,
August, September,
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October, November, December,
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January, February, March.
You left in April?
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- Yeah.
- [Judy] So you were there nine months.
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- Yes.
- Did you pay rent for the nine months?
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- Yes, ma'am.
- Is that correct?
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He paid rent
for about seven and a half months.
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[Judy]
Okay. And then you left?
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- Yes.
- Why did you leave?
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{\an8}I decided to leave
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{\an8}because he decided to go
to another place he was offered.
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{\an8}[Judy] What do you mean
he decided to go to another place?
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He got a place from his grandparents
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in another city,
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so I couldn't hold down the rent with her,
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so I decided to leave to save money,
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and go back to my parents' house.
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Now, Mr. Jalil,
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you see, you don't make up
a story like that,
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like he just told me.
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A lot of that has the ring of truth to it.
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Where are you living now?
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My grandparents' house,
in an in-law unit.
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So, when did you tell them
that you were going to a different place?
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- In March.
- [Judy] When did you leave?
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- [Kamar] I left in July.
- [Judy] Did you let him know
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that you were staying
until the end of the lease?
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- I...
- [Judy] I what?
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- I... discussed it--
- I what?
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I discussed with them
that I would be leaving,
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but I would stick around
to help them find
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either a different location,
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or even suggesting that we all
went back to our respective families,
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just to, you know, call it--
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Mr. Jalil, this isn't working for you.
I have to tell you something, sir.
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This case is not working for you at all.
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And it's only because Mr. Amonte
is very direct with me
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that you're suing them for $10,000.
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Where does that come from in your mind?
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Your agreement with her
was you were going to pay the rent,
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but never out of pocket.
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Your agreement was
you were going to pay the rent.
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He paid his rent when he was there.
He paid his one-third.
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You then told them you were leaving.
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That's a whole different story than what
you wrote in your complaint, Mr. Jalil.
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- Do you understand?
- Correct.
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[Judy]
It's a whole different story.
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So at best, Amonte would owe you
for three months' rent
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if they just left.
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But you told them that you were leaving.
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{\an8}Now, when did you find out
that they were a couple?
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{\an8}I found out at the end of April.
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- Were you all living together?
- Yes.
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[Judy] So you just had two months
left to the lease.
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So he was paying you.
He paid you in March.
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00:07:01,767 --> 00:07:04,133
You had May, June.
You signed the lease in July.
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So it was over at the end of June.
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June 30th.
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It had been over at the end of July,
Your Honor.
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Well, she doesn't owe you
any money for rent.
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{\an8}At most, he owes you two months' rent.
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{\an8}Tell me why you left.
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{\an8}My job doesn't pay that well,
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so I decided to go back
to my parents' house.
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[Judy]
When you took this apartment,
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this expensive apartment
that was almost $3,000 a month rent,
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had you had a discussion with Amonte
about moving in with you before?
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- Yes.
- [Judy] Okay. Mr. Jalil,
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I'm reading your complaint,
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because something
wasn't registering right with me.
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You say you moved into the apartment
together in August of 2021.
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Then you go through a whole bunch of stuff
about a cat.
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And then another adopted cat.
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You said in October,
we adopted a second cat.
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"Around the same time,
a third roommate moved in
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to shoulder some of the rent."
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Well, that's not true.
He moved in right at the beginning.
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{\an8}- And that was--
- [Judy] That was what?
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00:08:00,333 --> 00:08:02,567
{\an8}- That was, uh...
- [Judy] A mistake.
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00:08:02,567 --> 00:08:04,500
{\an8}- That was a mistake.
- [Judy] Okay.
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00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:08,934
But Amonte acknowledges
that he agreed right at the beginning.
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00:08:08,934 --> 00:08:12,166
He volunteered the fact
that he was there at the lease signing
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00:08:12,166 --> 00:08:14,967
because it was agreed at the lease signing
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that he was going to pay
a third of the rent.
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00:08:17,066 --> 00:08:21,300
So, sir, you owe him rent
as long as you show me
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that you've paid the rent.
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You moved out in July?
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00:08:25,166 --> 00:08:27,633
- Yes.
- And you paid your rent through July,
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or were you evicted?
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00:08:28,867 --> 00:08:32,233
- No, I paid my rent in July, yes.
- [Judy] Through July? Okay.
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00:08:32,233 --> 00:08:37,033
1,854. Amonte, you owe him $1,854.
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00:08:37,033 --> 00:08:38,633
That's for two months' rent.
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00:08:38,633 --> 00:08:41,834
Got it? I'm not subtracting anything,
because you stole his girlfriend.
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That's fair.
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00:08:45,367 --> 00:08:47,200
♪
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00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,967
What were you requesting
when you filed your small claims case?
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00:08:49,967 --> 00:08:55,033
Either the return of both cats, or $5,000.
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00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:56,934
That's not happening for you, Mr. Jalil.
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00:08:56,934 --> 00:08:58,367
[narrator]
And later today...
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00:08:58,367 --> 00:09:00,800
There were restrictions put on the space.
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00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:01,734
No.
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00:09:01,734 --> 00:09:04,033
- You have to pay attention, sir...
- Okay.
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00:09:04,033 --> 00:09:07,200
...because what I'm suggesting
is really in your favor.
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00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:08,734
- [man] Okay--okay.
- [laughs]
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00:09:08,734 --> 00:09:10,066
♪
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00:09:14,133 --> 00:09:17,533
{\an8}♪
215
00:09:19,767 --> 00:09:23,333
{\an8}[narrator]
Kamar Jalil claims his former roommates,
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00:09:23,333 --> 00:09:26,767
{\an8}Katie Calderon
and Amonte Nepomuceno
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00:09:26,767 --> 00:09:28,834
are wrongfully keeping his cats,
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00:09:28,834 --> 00:09:30,567
and owe him rent money.
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00:09:30,567 --> 00:09:32,533
[Judy] Now let's deal
with the issue with the cats.
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00:09:32,533 --> 00:09:35,433
She doesn't owe you any rent.
That was not your agreement with her.
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00:09:35,433 --> 00:09:38,066
You moved out in July.
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00:09:38,066 --> 00:09:42,200
August, September, October,
November, December.
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00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,734
Five months ago. She's had both cats.
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00:09:44,734 --> 00:09:46,734
{\an8}- Correct.
- [Judy] She says they're her cats.
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00:09:46,734 --> 00:09:49,300
{\an8}When did you first file
a small claims case?
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00:09:49,300 --> 00:09:52,633
September of 2022.
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00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:56,133
What were you requesting
when you filed your small claims case?
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00:09:56,133 --> 00:09:58,633
- Be careful.
- I was requesting
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00:09:58,633 --> 00:10:03,400
either the return of both cats,
or $5,000,
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00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:08,367
which was the accumulated expense
of not just the cats,
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00:10:08,367 --> 00:10:12,233
but also the expenses of her dogs as well.
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00:10:12,233 --> 00:10:14,200
So any animal expenses.
233
00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:15,767
- for the time...
- Okay.
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00:10:15,767 --> 00:10:18,200
That's not happening for you, Mr. Jalil.
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00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:21,800
When the cats were either registered
or went to the vet,
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00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:24,867
whose name is on the sheet as owner?
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00:10:24,867 --> 00:10:26,767
- I believe it was Miss Calderon.
- [Judy] Is that correct?
238
00:10:26,767 --> 00:10:29,367
- That's correct.
- [Judy] Then she owns the cats.
239
00:10:29,367 --> 00:10:30,567
And she's had them
for the last five months.
240
00:10:30,567 --> 00:10:33,667
I'd suggest that you go
and adopt two more
241
00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:34,900
if you want some more cats.
242
00:10:34,900 --> 00:10:36,166
- Do you understand?
- Yes.
243
00:10:36,166 --> 00:10:37,567
[Judy]
You were living together as a couple.
244
00:10:37,567 --> 00:10:40,767
However, your friend Amonte has to pay you
245
00:10:40,767 --> 00:10:41,700
for the couple of months' rent
that he didn't,
246
00:10:42,767 --> 00:10:45,266
because he says, not you,
247
00:10:45,266 --> 00:10:48,800
he volunteered that that was your
agreement from the very beginning.
248
00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,967
So he owes you $1,854.
249
00:10:51,967 --> 00:10:53,533
We're finished. Thank you very much.
250
00:10:53,533 --> 00:10:55,100
[bailiff]
This court is adjourned.
251
00:10:55,100 --> 00:10:58,500
{\an8}I think he's just kind of butt-hurt
that I moved on.
252
00:10:58,500 --> 00:11:00,066
{\an8}At least now I can put
everything behind me
253
00:11:00,066 --> 00:11:01,600
{\an8}and say that I did try.
254
00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:03,633
{\an8}I didn't think it would escalate this far.
255
00:11:03,633 --> 00:11:06,467
{\an8}All you can do in a situation like this
is just, you learn from it and move on.
256
00:11:06,467 --> 00:11:08,200
{\an8}The heart wants what the heart wants.
257
00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:09,500
{\an8}It's just what it is. It's life.
258
00:11:10,367 --> 00:11:12,467
You know what I find fascinating, Sarah?
259
00:11:12,467 --> 00:11:15,266
That people will write,
260
00:11:15,367 --> 00:11:19,033
and/or be assisted in writing a complaint
and an answer.
261
00:11:19,033 --> 00:11:20,333
But they read it over.
262
00:11:20,333 --> 00:11:22,400
This man is an intelligent man.
263
00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,100
He has a serious job for eight years.
264
00:11:25,100 --> 00:11:27,900
First of all, he was suing for $10,000.
265
00:11:27,900 --> 00:11:29,133
Come up with that money?
266
00:11:29,133 --> 00:11:31,166
Five thousand dollars
for the cats' expenses.
267
00:11:31,166 --> 00:11:33,133
Ridiculous.
But his complaint
268
00:11:33,133 --> 00:11:34,333
had really nothing--
269
00:11:34,333 --> 00:11:36,000
Even the timeline...
270
00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,800
As your clerk,
I know that is a pet peeve of yours when--
271
00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,533
I don't understand.
You know, if you're going to tell a lie...
272
00:11:42,533 --> 00:11:45,300
- At least tell a consistent lie.
- Right.
273
00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:46,767
I think the right thing happened.
274
00:11:46,867 --> 00:11:49,967
I think the defendant friend
admitted himself
275
00:11:49,967 --> 00:11:52,734
that he owed rent,
and that was great,
276
00:11:52,734 --> 00:11:54,734
even though he probably
should have just...
277
00:11:54,834 --> 00:11:57,834
Zipped it and not said,
"I was there when the lease was signed."
278
00:11:57,934 --> 00:12:00,333
"This was always our agreement,
that I was gonna be the third..."
279
00:12:00,333 --> 00:12:02,266
Yeah, but he was honest,
which we always appreciate.
280
00:12:02,266 --> 00:12:04,967
And so I think the right thing happened.
281
00:12:04,967 --> 00:12:08,233
I think he needs to, like you say,
put a period, move on.
282
00:12:08,233 --> 00:12:10,700
Anyway, all happy. And they look happy.
283
00:12:10,700 --> 00:12:12,367
They couldn't keep
their hands off each other.
284
00:12:12,367 --> 00:12:16,066
Case number 2172:
Foster/Garner v. Manziel.
285
00:12:16,066 --> 00:12:17,467
All parties please come forward.
286
00:12:17,467 --> 00:12:20,567
{\an8}[narrator]
Jamar Foster and Shawn Garner
287
00:12:20,567 --> 00:12:23,700
{\an8}are suing record producer Lvyn Manziel
288
00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:27,600
for event costs after Lvyn
canceled their Halloween party.
289
00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,300
[Judy]
Who's Mr. Garner?
290
00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,033
- Mr. Foster?
- Right here.
291
00:12:31,033 --> 00:12:34,000
Are you going to be speaking?
You're standing in the speaking spot.
292
00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,433
- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judy] Okay, great.
293
00:12:35,433 --> 00:12:36,700
According to what I read,
294
00:12:36,700 --> 00:12:41,300
the defendant rents a music studio,
is that correct?
295
00:12:41,300 --> 00:12:44,266
I rent a facility in which I own
a music studio.
296
00:12:44,266 --> 00:12:47,900
You rent in someone else's building.
297
00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:50,667
- Yes.
- [Judy] And you're recording people.
298
00:12:51,166 --> 00:12:52,967
During the course of your business,
299
00:12:52,967 --> 00:12:57,300
you decided to enter
into an agreement with the defendant
300
00:12:57,300 --> 00:12:59,834
to use that recording studio,
301
00:12:59,834 --> 00:13:03,734
which she rents from that space
which she rents from a landlord.
302
00:13:03,734 --> 00:13:05,400
- [Jamar] May I correct you, Your Honor?
- Yes.
303
00:13:06,734 --> 00:13:11,633
{\an8}She actually... it's a facility
that has multiple units in it.
304
00:13:11,633 --> 00:13:14,867
She runs a studio,
305
00:13:14,867 --> 00:13:18,834
and then there's other event space
inside of that same facility.
306
00:13:18,834 --> 00:13:22,000
Okay, give me an idea
of how large the space is.
307
00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:26,734
I believe we were quoted
something like 5,800 square feet.
308
00:13:26,734 --> 00:13:29,233
And so you have a music studio,
309
00:13:29,233 --> 00:13:32,333
and around it is other open space.
310
00:13:32,333 --> 00:13:33,266
Yes.
311
00:13:33,266 --> 00:13:36,633
You decided to go into some sort
of a business with her.
312
00:13:36,633 --> 00:13:38,567
- You wanted to run events.
- Yes, ma'am.
313
00:13:38,567 --> 00:13:41,367
Social events.
Nothing to do with the music studio.
314
00:13:41,367 --> 00:13:42,934
- Absolutely not.
- [Judy] Is that correct?
315
00:13:42,934 --> 00:13:44,934
- Yes.
- And according to you,
316
00:13:44,934 --> 00:13:47,033
you gave her $6,000.
317
00:13:47,033 --> 00:13:49,166
- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judy] Sort of front money
318
00:13:49,166 --> 00:13:51,433
to start using that space.
319
00:13:51,433 --> 00:13:54,400
- Yes, ma'am.
- Subsequent to giving her the money,
320
00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:58,066
{\an8}according to you,
there were restrictions put on the space
321
00:13:58,066 --> 00:13:59,900
on the number of people you could have,
322
00:13:59,900 --> 00:14:02,266
the kind of parties you could have,
et cetera.
323
00:14:02,266 --> 00:14:04,533
No, absolutely... I apologize.
324
00:14:04,533 --> 00:14:07,433
- Well, you have to pay attention, sir...
- [Jamar] Okay.
325
00:14:07,433 --> 00:14:10,533
...because what I'm suggesting
is really in your favor.
326
00:14:10,533 --> 00:14:12,300
- [Jamar] Oh, okay.
- [laughs]
327
00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:15,033
[Judy] So it's really in your favor,
so you have to think.
328
00:14:15,033 --> 00:14:16,000
Okay.
329
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:19,800
Subsequent to giving her--
that means after giving her the money,
330
00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:23,266
restrictions were put on
the kinds of events
331
00:14:23,266 --> 00:14:25,667
and the number of people
you could have in this space.
332
00:14:25,667 --> 00:14:29,166
- Is that true or not true?
- That is absolutely true.
333
00:14:29,166 --> 00:14:31,967
- No, that's not--
- [Judy] I'll get to you in a second.
334
00:14:31,967 --> 00:14:35,066
- Okay.
- And you want your $6,000 back.
335
00:14:35,066 --> 00:14:36,900
- [Jamar] Yes, ma'am, and--
- That's what it's about.
336
00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:41,467
{\an8}The defendant does not deny
that you gave her $6,000.
337
00:14:41,467 --> 00:14:43,367
{\an8}And then I'm going to hear
what her defense is.
338
00:14:43,367 --> 00:14:45,233
{\an8}So I want you to tell me
339
00:14:45,233 --> 00:14:48,834
{\an8}when, for the first time,
did you have a discussion
340
00:14:48,934 --> 00:14:53,367
{\an8}with the defendant
about going into this business venture
341
00:14:53,367 --> 00:14:55,700
{\an8}where you would front the money
342
00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:58,600
and whatever events you would have there,
343
00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:02,367
you would reap the benefit,
the financial benefit, from that.
344
00:15:02,367 --> 00:15:04,066
When did you have
that discussion with her?
345
00:15:04,066 --> 00:15:09,467
Okay, so we met Lvyn
at the end of August of 2022.
346
00:15:09,467 --> 00:15:12,300
We actually signed
an agreement pretty fast.
347
00:15:12,300 --> 00:15:16,867
We signed the contract agreement
on September 1st.
348
00:15:16,867 --> 00:15:18,734
- May I see the agreement?
- Yes, ma'am.
349
00:15:18,734 --> 00:15:21,533
There is no agreement signed,
so I don't know how it could be signed.
350
00:15:21,533 --> 00:15:23,600
- [Jamar] She keeps arguing that--
- [Judy] Just a second.
351
00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,834
- Could you be quiet?
- Yes, ma'am.
352
00:15:30,367 --> 00:15:31,834
[inaudible]
353
00:15:34,066 --> 00:15:36,667
- [Jamar] So in your hand--
- Shh!
354
00:15:36,667 --> 00:15:40,233
- What's--
- [Jamar] That's the studio that she runs.
355
00:15:40,900 --> 00:15:44,333
Sarah, you have to sort of explain it,
because I don't see signatures.
356
00:15:44,333 --> 00:15:47,000
You know, I'm used to looking at contracts
where people sign things.
357
00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,533
But I know you can sign things
by DocuSign now.
358
00:15:49,533 --> 00:15:51,800
Your signature isn't on here.
359
00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,867
- Yes, ma'am.
- [Sarah] That looks like a signature
360
00:15:53,867 --> 00:15:56,133
from a DocuSign,
or some sort of online...
361
00:15:56,133 --> 00:15:57,934
[Judy]
Okay. Is that you?
362
00:15:57,934 --> 00:16:02,066
This was a proposal that I did,
I did not even own yet as a DBA.
363
00:16:02,066 --> 00:16:03,367
[Judy]
Just a second.
364
00:16:03,367 --> 00:16:05,367
It's getting better. Don't say anything.
365
00:16:05,367 --> 00:16:07,800
This is your proposal.
Now I'm going to read it.
366
00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,400
- Okay.
- [Judy] You're Masterpiece Management?
367
00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:11,333
Yes, ma'am.
368
00:16:12,133 --> 00:16:14,266
Okay, well, this is sort of easy.
369
00:16:14,266 --> 00:16:16,200
You prepared this proposal.
370
00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,200
{\an8}- Speak.
- Yes, after--
371
00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,433
{\an8}[Judy] Just a second.
You prepared this proposal.
372
00:16:20,533 --> 00:16:23,633
{\an8}- Yes, ma'am.
- And as a result of this proposal,
373
00:16:23,633 --> 00:16:28,567
you received and deposited $6,000.
374
00:16:28,567 --> 00:16:31,333
- Yes.
- Well, then you have a binding contract.
375
00:16:31,333 --> 00:16:35,033
Okay? So that's what I'm telling you.
You have a binding contract.
376
00:16:35,033 --> 00:16:41,066
And there is nothing in this contract
that limits the kinds of events
377
00:16:41,066 --> 00:16:42,600
or the number of people,
378
00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,166
or anything else
with regard to this space.
379
00:16:45,166 --> 00:16:50,400
All it says is, "Business activities,
event planning, and event rentals."
380
00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:52,834
Nothing else.
And this is your proposal,
381
00:16:52,834 --> 00:16:58,300
so the terms of it are construed
if there's any material question,
382
00:16:58,300 --> 00:17:00,900
since you prepared the agreement,
383
00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:06,133
which became a contract
once you accepted their $6,000.
384
00:17:06,133 --> 00:17:09,767
{\an8}I view the terms of the agreement
most harshly against you,
385
00:17:09,767 --> 00:17:11,200
{\an8}because you prepared the document.
386
00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,934
And it says, "This agreement
cannot be amended
387
00:17:13,934 --> 00:17:16,200
without the written consent
of all parties."
388
00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:17,266
- Yes.
- [Judy] Yes.
389
00:17:17,266 --> 00:17:19,400
So, signed the agreement,
you got the money,
390
00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:22,800
and then at some point,
according to them and according to you,
391
00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:27,934
you made certain limitations
on the kinds of events,
392
00:17:27,934 --> 00:17:29,834
the numbers of people, et cetera.
393
00:17:29,834 --> 00:17:32,266
- That is--
- [Judy] Now, that happened
394
00:17:32,266 --> 00:17:34,934
according to you,
because you do not own that space.
395
00:17:34,934 --> 00:17:36,433
You rent that space.
396
00:17:36,433 --> 00:17:39,367
And there was a problem
with the first party that they threw.
397
00:17:39,367 --> 00:17:42,000
- Correct.
- We're not talking Gone with the Wind.
398
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,433
We're not talking
about a six-volume masterpiece.
399
00:17:45,433 --> 00:17:47,467
We're talking about a yes or a no.
400
00:17:47,467 --> 00:17:49,734
♪
401
00:17:49,734 --> 00:17:53,066
Based upon this proposal,
they gave you $6,000,
402
00:17:53,066 --> 00:17:55,266
which you deposited
into your bank account.
403
00:17:55,266 --> 00:17:59,467
That means a contract was created.
Bup! That's the agreement.
404
00:17:59,467 --> 00:18:00,767
I'm telling you, that's the law.
405
00:18:00,767 --> 00:18:02,333
♪
406
00:18:06,533 --> 00:18:08,734
♪
407
00:18:12,233 --> 00:18:15,266
{\an8}[narrator]
Jamar Foster and Shawn Garner
408
00:18:15,266 --> 00:18:17,834
{\an8}claim record producer Lvyn Manziel
409
00:18:17,834 --> 00:18:20,533
broke their agreement
by canceling their event.
410
00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:24,633
Lvyn is countersuing
for the cost of a recording session.
411
00:18:24,633 --> 00:18:27,333
Okay, there was a party
that got out of hand.
412
00:18:27,333 --> 00:18:28,667
- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judy] Okay.
413
00:18:28,667 --> 00:18:32,734
{\an8}And after that party that got out of hand,
too many people or whatever it was,
414
00:18:32,734 --> 00:18:34,934
{\an8}your landlord complained.
415
00:18:34,934 --> 00:18:36,266
{\an8}- Yes.
- [Judy] Okay.
416
00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:37,667
And it was after that
417
00:18:37,667 --> 00:18:40,367
that you told your two partners that the--
418
00:18:40,367 --> 00:18:42,266
We are not partners.
419
00:18:42,266 --> 00:18:44,166
Yeah, according to this, you are.
420
00:18:44,166 --> 00:18:45,633
We didn't finalize the agreement.
421
00:18:45,633 --> 00:18:47,567
[Judy]
This is a finalized agreement, madam.
422
00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:49,734
I just said to you--
I want you to pay attention.
423
00:18:49,734 --> 00:18:51,667
This is your proposal.
424
00:18:51,667 --> 00:18:54,934
Based upon this proposal,
they gave you $6,000,
425
00:18:54,934 --> 00:18:57,200
which you deposited
into your bank account.
426
00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:59,233
That means a contract was created.
427
00:18:59,233 --> 00:19:02,633
Bup! That's the agreement.
I'm telling you, that's the law.
428
00:19:02,633 --> 00:19:04,934
- Okay.
- [Judy] You prepared the proposal.
429
00:19:04,934 --> 00:19:07,100
You signed it. They said, "Okay."
430
00:19:07,100 --> 00:19:10,166
And they fulfilled their part
of the agreement
431
00:19:10,166 --> 00:19:13,200
by giving you $6,000, which you accepted.
432
00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:15,533
Got it? Got it?
433
00:19:15,533 --> 00:19:16,734
And you can't,
434
00:19:16,734 --> 00:19:19,967
according to the agreement
that you prepared,
435
00:19:19,967 --> 00:19:22,800
modify this agreement any other way
436
00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:25,767
than a written contract
signed by both parties.
437
00:19:25,767 --> 00:19:27,333
You can't change the rules.
438
00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:29,667
Did you know that this was rented space?
439
00:19:29,667 --> 00:19:32,133
No, we didn't have all of the details
about the place.
440
00:19:32,133 --> 00:19:34,533
Well, see, next time
you should know what you're dealing with.
441
00:19:34,533 --> 00:19:36,967
Whether she's the owner
or whether she's not the owner.
442
00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:39,700
Whether she's a renter,
whether she has the ability
443
00:19:39,700 --> 00:19:42,900
to rent out, to sublease, for events.
444
00:19:42,900 --> 00:19:46,000
I mean, all these things
before you give somebody $6,000.
445
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:47,600
You should know that. Okay.
446
00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,166
And you had one event at this space?
447
00:19:50,166 --> 00:19:55,033
{\an8}No, we actually didn't get an opportunity
to throw any events at the space at all.
448
00:19:55,033 --> 00:19:56,934
{\an8}The event that you were speaking of,
449
00:19:56,934 --> 00:20:01,900
she had partnered with another group
of promoters, individuals,
450
00:20:01,900 --> 00:20:04,233
to throw that party, so we--
451
00:20:04,233 --> 00:20:06,567
So you didn't have anything
to do with that.
452
00:20:06,567 --> 00:20:08,266
What was it,
a Halloween party or something?
453
00:20:08,266 --> 00:20:09,233
It was a Halloween party.
454
00:20:09,233 --> 00:20:11,266
- But that wasn't with you?
- No, that wasn't.
455
00:20:11,266 --> 00:20:12,834
Is that correct?
456
00:20:12,834 --> 00:20:15,333
- [Lvyn] He was part of the event--
- Is that correct?
457
00:20:15,333 --> 00:20:17,233
- No.
- [Judy] That it was with other people.
458
00:20:17,233 --> 00:20:20,100
Yes, correct, it was with other people.
They were just associated with the event.
459
00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:21,400
They worked at the event--
460
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,900
I don't care
whether they worked at the event.
461
00:20:23,900 --> 00:20:27,433
You received money from other people
for an event.
462
00:20:27,433 --> 00:20:30,233
- Yes, ma'am.
- [Judy] Well, then let's be clear.
463
00:20:30,233 --> 00:20:35,233
And after that event,
you imposed additional restrictions
464
00:20:35,233 --> 00:20:37,033
on the use of the space.
465
00:20:37,033 --> 00:20:39,400
- No, Your Honor.
- [Judy] Just-- hold on a second.
466
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:40,633
They knew about the--
467
00:20:40,633 --> 00:20:42,533
Hold on, you can't tell me what they knew.
468
00:20:42,533 --> 00:20:45,367
- This is your contract.
- They called a fire marshal.
469
00:20:45,367 --> 00:20:48,867
"My landlord contacted me
that the neighbors were complaining."
470
00:20:48,867 --> 00:20:52,333
"People were parking on their lawns
90 minutes into the party."
471
00:20:52,333 --> 00:20:55,200
But it was not their party.
Somebody else paid you for it.
472
00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,166
"The next party they wanted to throw
involved minors,
473
00:20:58,166 --> 00:20:59,900
and I told them absolutely not."
474
00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:01,200
Yes, ma'am.
475
00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,467
[Judy] "I just made it clear
what types of events would be approved."
476
00:21:04,467 --> 00:21:08,066
Well, you can't do that.
I'm just telling you, you can't do that.
477
00:21:08,066 --> 00:21:12,033
I'm not allowed to throw events
that have drugs for children.
478
00:21:12,033 --> 00:21:14,000
You have to understand something.
479
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:19,233
You can do whatever you want,
as long as you put it in a contract.
480
00:21:19,233 --> 00:21:21,567
You prepared the contract.
481
00:21:21,567 --> 00:21:23,600
This contract is silent
482
00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:27,166
as to any restrictions
on the space for events.
483
00:21:27,166 --> 00:21:30,734
So you have to give them their $6,000 back
484
00:21:30,734 --> 00:21:32,600
because they didn't have an event.
485
00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:36,367
They got nothing of value
for their $6,000.
486
00:21:36,367 --> 00:21:38,900
Correction: they were managing an artist
487
00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:42,266
{\an8}whenever I met them,
that they were responsible for paying.
488
00:21:42,266 --> 00:21:45,367
{\an8}- So I'm countersuing them for $1,050.
- [Judy] Just a second.
489
00:21:45,367 --> 00:21:48,467
- Okay. Okay.
- Six thousand dollars they get back.
490
00:21:48,467 --> 00:21:50,533
Easy? That's a contract case.
491
00:21:50,533 --> 00:21:52,667
Now, you have a counterclaim,
492
00:21:52,667 --> 00:21:54,934
and your counterclaim is for $1,000
493
00:21:54,934 --> 00:21:58,567
because you say they owe you that
494
00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:02,433
for a rental that they did
for an artist that they manage.
495
00:22:02,433 --> 00:22:05,867
I provided my services
as a recording artist and a music producer
496
00:22:05,867 --> 00:22:06,867
for their artist.
497
00:22:06,867 --> 00:22:08,800
I provided them with two exclusive beats.
498
00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,100
Well, show me the contract with them.
499
00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:13,433
- I have--
- [Judy] Just show me the contract.
500
00:22:13,433 --> 00:22:14,700
There is no contract.
501
00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:17,467
Judgment for the plaintiff
in the amount of $6,000.
502
00:22:17,567 --> 00:22:19,166
Counterclaim's dismissed. We're done.
503
00:22:19,166 --> 00:22:20,333
[bailiff]
This court is adjourned.
504
00:22:20,333 --> 00:22:22,800
{\an8}I was just trying to have a proposal,
not a finalized agreement.
505
00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:26,033
{\an8}Well, I appreciate us getting
some type of justice out of the situation.
506
00:22:26,033 --> 00:22:27,767
{\an8}They come in wanting to do
multiple things.
507
00:22:27,767 --> 00:22:29,500
{\an8}I was excited for my small business.
508
00:22:29,500 --> 00:22:31,867
{\an8}We tried as much as we could to help out
509
00:22:31,867 --> 00:22:34,266
{\an8}and make sure that we increased
the revenue streams
510
00:22:34,266 --> 00:22:35,567
{\an8}inside of that business.
511
00:22:35,567 --> 00:22:37,200
{\an8}They're actually
going to be hosting hookahs
512
00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:39,900
{\an8}with children at your event,
in your space.
513
00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:41,000
{\an8}I'm not comfortable with that.
514
00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,900
{\an8}To ever associate us
with any type of drug use
515
00:22:43,900 --> 00:22:49,000
{\an8}or abuse, especially involving children,
that was just an inaccurate claim.
516
00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:50,734
{\an8}I think it's better just to part ways.
517
00:22:50,734 --> 00:22:52,333
{\an8}Move on to bigger and better things.
518
00:22:53,233 --> 00:22:56,066
I was going to tell you,
I had the invitation, per se,
519
00:22:56,066 --> 00:22:58,734
for the event for Halloween
that they had put together.
520
00:22:58,734 --> 00:23:02,000
So they put a lot of time and effort
into planning the party.
521
00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,500
It seemed very legitimate.
There was notes about security.
522
00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:07,533
There was notes about no alcohol,
food and drink will be provided.
523
00:23:07,533 --> 00:23:09,700
So I could tell that they had put in
a lot of effort
524
00:23:09,700 --> 00:23:11,033
to hosting this event.
525
00:23:11,033 --> 00:23:14,066
And although it wasn't a malicious breach
on the defendant's part,
526
00:23:14,066 --> 00:23:17,800
I understand she hosted a party that
had nothing to do with the plaintiffs.
527
00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:19,800
She got into a little bit of hot water,
528
00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:21,934
so to be cautious
she was letting them know,
529
00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:25,066
"Hey, I can't host these types of events
with a lot of people.
530
00:23:25,066 --> 00:23:27,467
It makes the street too crowded..."
Whatever the reason.
531
00:23:27,467 --> 00:23:30,533
However, I disagree with you,
because I would have given them
532
00:23:30,533 --> 00:23:32,367
the full 10,000 that they were asking,
533
00:23:32,367 --> 00:23:35,967
because although not a malicious breach,
and I understand her concern
534
00:23:35,967 --> 00:23:38,266
after having the incident
with the previous party,
535
00:23:38,266 --> 00:23:39,767
but that's not their fault.
536
00:23:39,767 --> 00:23:45,800
You believe that the difference between
the cost of one venue to another
537
00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,000
should be ascribed to them.
538
00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:53,700
It's interesting, but the $6,000
was to cover a lot of events.
539
00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:56,734
- This is one event.
- I see your point now,
540
00:23:56,734 --> 00:23:58,000
that you put it that way.
541
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,767
I just think if you were going
to make them whole,
542
00:24:00,767 --> 00:24:03,700
they should receive
their expectant damages as well,
543
00:24:03,700 --> 00:24:06,066
or whatever they relied on
based on the contract.
544
00:24:06,066 --> 00:24:09,667
- I accept your opinion and perspective.
- Sure.
545
00:24:11,300 --> 00:24:12,734
[narrator] Want justice?
546
00:24:12,734 --> 00:24:14,867
{\an8}Go to JudyJustice.tv.