1 00:00:00,367 --> 00:00:01,367 After the breakup, 2 00:00:01,433 --> 00:00:04,333 he vandalized both your house and your car? 3 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:05,467 Yes. 4 00:00:05,533 --> 00:00:07,734 He does a lotta drinking, he was drunk. 5 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:09,400 It got to the point we're yelling. 6 00:00:09,467 --> 00:00:12,200 I'm done, I'm going to my mama house. I can do what I wanna do. 7 00:00:12,266 --> 00:00:13,300 And you just left? 8 00:00:14,633 --> 00:00:15,433 Yes. 9 00:00:16,900 --> 00:00:18,867 I was escorted out by the, uh, police. 10 00:00:18,934 --> 00:00:20,934 Well, that's not a "just left." 11 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,433 [announcer] This is Judy Justice. 12 00:00:24,367 --> 00:00:27,367 [theme music playing] 13 00:00:40,233 --> 00:00:43,867 [announcer] Danielle Lovett is suing her ex-fiance, 14 00:00:43,934 --> 00:00:45,233 Mario Griffin, 15 00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:48,700 for vandalism and emotional distress. 16 00:00:48,767 --> 00:00:50,834 [Kevin] Court come to order, all rise. 17 00:00:53,133 --> 00:00:53,967 Have a seat, please. 18 00:00:54,967 --> 00:00:55,900 [Kevin] Hello, Judge. 19 00:00:55,967 --> 00:00:58,266 Case 1078 Lovett versus Griffin. 20 00:00:58,333 --> 00:00:59,600 - Thank you. - You're welcome. 21 00:00:59,667 --> 00:01:02,133 [Judge Judy] Ms. Lovett, from what I read from your complaint, 22 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,467 it is your allegation that the defendant, 23 00:01:04,533 --> 00:01:08,467 who was your boyfriend and for a period of time you lived together, 24 00:01:08,533 --> 00:01:10,500 after the breakup of the relationship, 25 00:01:10,567 --> 00:01:13,533 he vandalized both your house and your car. 26 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:14,767 That's what you're suing him for? 27 00:01:14,834 --> 00:01:15,633 Yes. 28 00:01:15,700 --> 00:01:17,900 [Judge Judy] The defendant sort of acknowledges 29 00:01:17,967 --> 00:01:19,700 that he lost his temper once 30 00:01:19,767 --> 00:01:21,567 and he broke some windows in your house. 31 00:01:21,633 --> 00:01:25,100 He acknowledges that he did it and he said he paid you $400 32 00:01:25,166 --> 00:01:26,400 for the broken windows. 33 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:28,867 As far as the other things are concerned, he denies 34 00:01:28,934 --> 00:01:31,967 that he caused any damage whatsoever to your car. 35 00:01:32,033 --> 00:01:35,166 And he says, as an addition, when you were living together, 36 00:01:35,233 --> 00:01:37,533 he purchased certain items for the house. 37 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,633 He is no longer in the house and he wants those items back. 38 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:42,000 And in addition, 39 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:45,333 he says that you filed a false police report against him 40 00:01:45,533 --> 00:01:47,066 which we'll get to in a moment. 41 00:01:47,133 --> 00:01:49,100 That's what the case is about, so you have a counterclaim? 42 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:50,133 Yes. 43 00:01:50,233 --> 00:01:51,834 So I need some dates from you first. 44 00:01:51,934 --> 00:01:53,366 Tell me the month and year 45 00:01:53,467 --> 00:01:55,133 that the two of you moved in together. 46 00:01:55,265 --> 00:01:59,200 It was September 2017. 47 00:01:59,265 --> 00:02:00,934 [Judge Judy] Did you move to his apartment, 48 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:02,500 did he move to your apartment, 49 00:02:02,567 --> 00:02:05,066 or did you move into an apartment or a house together? 50 00:02:05,133 --> 00:02:07,266 We moved in together. 51 00:02:07,333 --> 00:02:08,800 [Judge Judy] So you found an apartment together. 52 00:02:08,866 --> 00:02:10,567 Where had you been living previously? 53 00:02:10,633 --> 00:02:12,433 [Danielle] He was stayin' with his mom 54 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:13,934 and I was stayin' with mine's. 55 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:17,300 [Judge Judy] And in 2017 when you moved in together, 56 00:02:17,367 --> 00:02:19,667 was the lease in both your names or in one name? 57 00:02:19,734 --> 00:02:20,533 Mine's. 58 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:21,734 [Judge Judy] Is there any reason for that? 59 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:24,000 I mean, it's a good-- actually, it's a very good idea 60 00:02:24,066 --> 00:02:25,200 and one that I support 61 00:02:25,266 --> 00:02:26,867 because if things don't work out 62 00:02:26,934 --> 00:02:28,800 then somebody knows they have to go 63 00:02:28,867 --> 00:02:31,867 rather than being a joint lease that you both involved in. 64 00:02:31,934 --> 00:02:33,966 Okay. Well, with his background, 65 00:02:34,033 --> 00:02:36,667 he wasn't, um, eligible to get on a lease. 66 00:02:36,734 --> 00:02:37,867 He couldn't pass the background check. 67 00:02:37,934 --> 00:02:39,700 [Judge Judy] Oh, okay. Is that correct? 68 00:02:39,767 --> 00:02:41,667 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] So lease it 69 00:02:41,734 --> 00:02:44,466 and you still, as a couple, living in this apartment 70 00:02:44,533 --> 00:02:46,433 - when the breakup took place? - Yes. 71 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:48,200 [Judge Judy] Okay. And the breakup took place 72 00:02:48,266 --> 00:02:50,400 what month, day, and year? 73 00:02:50,466 --> 00:02:53,600 [Danielle] January 25th, 2021. 74 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:56,033 [Judge Judy] And it was not an amicable breakup, 75 00:02:56,100 --> 00:02:57,900 - so he left quickly? - Yeah. 76 00:02:57,966 --> 00:02:59,800 He still had time to get his things. 77 00:02:59,867 --> 00:03:02,333 [Judge Judy] Okay. Had you discussed breaking up? 78 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,467 No, he just left. Left on his own. 79 00:03:04,533 --> 00:03:06,400 [Judge Judy] On January 25th, tell me what happened. 80 00:03:06,467 --> 00:03:07,667 - She said you just decided to leave. - [Mario] Okay. 81 00:03:07,734 --> 00:03:10,934 January the 25th, uh, we did have some issues. 82 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:11,867 I'm a truck driver. 83 00:03:11,934 --> 00:03:16,233 So, I'd be over the road driving trucks and Danielle would call me 84 00:03:16,300 --> 00:03:18,533 while I'm over the r--road disturbing me, 85 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:21,500 asking me if I'm on the phone with females, asking me-- 86 00:03:21,567 --> 00:03:23,000 [Judge Judy] Okay. So she's being jealous? 87 00:03:23,066 --> 00:03:24,700 - [Mario] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 88 00:03:24,767 --> 00:03:26,667 [Mario] And like I say, um, you know, 89 00:03:26,734 --> 00:03:29,734 it was a big distraction and it's kind of frustrating 90 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,533 'cause I have to focus on this road, I'm a driver. 91 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,667 [Judge Judy] Okay. I got it that you didn't want a distraction, 92 00:03:34,734 --> 00:03:37,900 m-but you've been together now four years and living together 93 00:03:37,966 --> 00:03:39,367 in the same place for four years. 94 00:03:39,433 --> 00:03:42,300 I'm asking these questions and there's a reason for it 95 00:03:42,367 --> 00:03:44,500 - based on your counterclaim, sir. - [Mario] Okay. 96 00:03:44,567 --> 00:03:46,100 [Judge Judy] Had you planned on leaving? 97 00:03:46,166 --> 00:03:47,633 Well, we talked about it. 98 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:51,266 We had some conversations, and I was like, "This is not working." 99 00:03:51,333 --> 00:03:52,767 - And-- - On what date 100 00:03:52,834 --> 00:03:54,800 did you tell her that it wasn't working? 101 00:03:54,867 --> 00:03:56,100 January the 25th. 102 00:03:56,166 --> 00:03:58,000 [Judge Judy] Is that when you came home from a job? 103 00:03:58,066 --> 00:03:59,367 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] So you were at home? 104 00:03:59,433 --> 00:04:01,133 - [Mario] Yes. - And you just left? 105 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:03,533 [Mario] I was escorted out by the, uh, police. 106 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:04,900 [Judge Judy] Well, that's not a "just left." 107 00:04:06,066 --> 00:04:07,100 - [Mario] Right. - I mean, 108 00:04:07,166 --> 00:04:09,266 I don't remember because I'm old but, you know, 109 00:04:09,333 --> 00:04:11,967 I've been in various relationships but I don't remember 110 00:04:12,033 --> 00:04:15,467 ever calling the police to escort somebody out. 111 00:04:15,533 --> 00:04:18,065 Well, that was the plan was to me 112 00:04:18,132 --> 00:04:20,767 to just leave like that but she got mad 113 00:04:20,834 --> 00:04:24,233 and she felt like I was grabbing some of my things, 114 00:04:24,300 --> 00:04:26,633 and she called the police and lied and said-- 115 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:28,200 Okay. Just a second. 116 00:04:28,266 --> 00:04:30,066 So that the plaintiff called the police? 117 00:04:30,133 --> 00:04:31,233 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Ms. Lovett, 118 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:33,633 on the 25th of January, do you want to tell me 119 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:34,900 why you called the police? 120 00:04:34,967 --> 00:04:37,800 The 25th of January, the police wasn't called. 121 00:04:37,867 --> 00:04:40,000 We had been arguin' and-- 122 00:04:40,066 --> 00:04:42,500 previously, and on that day, 123 00:04:42,567 --> 00:04:44,767 he does a lotta drinkin', he was drunk, 124 00:04:44,834 --> 00:04:47,667 and he just decided to, like, start wit' me. 125 00:04:47,734 --> 00:04:50,000 It got to the point we're yelling, you know, 126 00:04:50,066 --> 00:04:52,734 neighbors worryin' about what's goin' on, he left. 127 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:56,633 He got this things, he left, he told me to keep whateva, you know, 128 00:04:56,700 --> 00:04:58,533 "Don't worry about nothin', I'm done, 129 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,033 I'm goin' to my mama house, I could do what I wanna do." 130 00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:02,767 [Judge Judy] Okay. So he left and he said, 131 00:05:02,834 --> 00:05:03,934 "I'm going to my mother's house." 132 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,467 [Danielle] Yeah. That time, the police was not called. 133 00:05:05,533 --> 00:05:06,500 When were they called? 134 00:05:06,567 --> 00:05:09,100 It was a previous time before that, in 2020. 135 00:05:09,166 --> 00:05:09,967 That's not when the police was called. 136 00:05:10,033 --> 00:05:10,867 Okay. But let me-- 137 00:05:10,967 --> 00:05:11,934 - [Danielle] He left willingly. - You know, sometimes 138 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,266 people need their recollection refreshed. 139 00:05:14,333 --> 00:05:17,767 Does it refresh your recollection, sir, that the police were called 140 00:05:17,834 --> 00:05:20,033 - in the year 2020? - Yes. 141 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:23,767 [Judge Judy] Not January 25th, 2021 when you just left? 142 00:05:23,834 --> 00:05:25,332 [Mario] But also then, so. 143 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,266 [Judge Judy] You have any proof that they were called that day? 144 00:05:27,332 --> 00:05:28,900 No, I don't have any proof 145 00:05:28,967 --> 00:05:32,667 and I can also say they was called again on, um, like, May 25th. 146 00:05:32,734 --> 00:05:33,567 [Judge Judy] Okay. 147 00:05:33,633 --> 00:05:35,533 But, you said you were leaving? 148 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:36,467 Yes. 149 00:05:36,533 --> 00:05:38,967 [Judge Judy] And between January 25th 150 00:05:39,033 --> 00:05:41,266 and May of 2021, 151 00:05:41,332 --> 00:05:43,300 did you and the plaintiff have any contact? 152 00:05:43,367 --> 00:05:47,300 Yes. I actually moved back in... 153 00:05:47,367 --> 00:05:49,100 - [Judge Judy] When? - [Mario] End of February, March. 154 00:05:49,166 --> 00:05:50,633 - Is that right? - Yes. 155 00:05:50,700 --> 00:05:51,767 [Judge Judy] So we took a breather? 156 00:05:51,834 --> 00:05:53,266 - [Danielle] Yes. - And you took him back? 157 00:05:53,332 --> 00:05:54,133 Yes. 158 00:05:54,233 --> 00:05:55,400 [Judge Judy] And that didn't work out 159 00:05:55,500 --> 00:05:57,166 and there was an incident in May? 160 00:05:57,233 --> 00:06:00,166 Yeah. It's--it be a lot of incidents. 161 00:06:00,233 --> 00:06:01,700 - [Judge Judy] Oh, yeah, well... - So... 162 00:06:01,767 --> 00:06:03,100 - Just a second. - [Danielle] In May, we're not... 163 00:06:03,166 --> 00:06:04,433 - Wait, just a--wait, wait, wait. - [Danielle] In May... 164 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:05,633 [Judge Judy] One second. 165 00:06:07,233 --> 00:06:09,934 He only brung a mattress back, not the box spring. 166 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,433 He sold the mattress to his friend last year for $50. 167 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:14,633 Well, I cannot believe 168 00:06:14,700 --> 00:06:18,033 I went to 10 years post graduate school for this. 169 00:06:18,100 --> 00:06:19,100 Yes. 170 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:20,867 My father would be proud. 171 00:06:21,567 --> 00:06:22,400 [announcer] Later... 172 00:06:22,467 --> 00:06:24,332 There was no agreement or understanding 173 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,166 from the very beginning to the time he sold the house behind my back 174 00:06:27,233 --> 00:06:30,166 that he had anything to do other than live in the house. 175 00:06:30,233 --> 00:06:31,367 - [Judge Judy] Smothers? - Yes. 176 00:06:31,433 --> 00:06:35,834 Let me read to you what you wrote in your sworn complaint. 177 00:06:41,633 --> 00:06:44,700 [tense music playing] 178 00:06:47,667 --> 00:06:52,033 [announcer] Danielle Lovett claims her ex-fiance, Mario Griffin, 179 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:56,066 vandalized her car and caused emotional distress. 180 00:06:56,133 --> 00:07:00,233 Mario is countersuing for his belongings and an assault. 181 00:07:00,867 --> 00:07:03,166 Is what you're saying to me, Ms. Lovett, 182 00:07:03,233 --> 00:07:06,233 that between January 25th, 183 00:07:06,300 --> 00:07:09,700 you and the defendant continued to have contact 184 00:07:09,767 --> 00:07:14,133 and he moved back in at the end of March, of 2021? 185 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:15,767 Yes, he moved back in March. 186 00:07:15,834 --> 00:07:20,066 - [Judge Judy] Until when? - March till, uh, August 3rd. 187 00:07:20,133 --> 00:07:24,467 [Judge Judy] Well, then I'm confused and I'm confused because of this. 188 00:07:24,533 --> 00:07:28,834 You claim in your complaint that the damage you're complaining about 189 00:07:28,900 --> 00:07:31,433 happened on February 11th. 190 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:33,767 - [Danielle] Yes, he left... - Sh--just a second. 191 00:07:33,834 --> 00:07:38,467 And then after that damage to your windows and/or your car, 192 00:07:38,533 --> 00:07:40,633 you resumed living together in March? 193 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:42,133 Yes. That's when he came back in March. 194 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:46,200 You continued living together for several months? 195 00:07:46,266 --> 00:07:48,100 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Sleeping together? 196 00:07:48,166 --> 00:07:49,633 - [Danielle] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Eating together? 197 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:50,700 [Danielle] Yes. 198 00:07:50,767 --> 00:07:52,967 - Socializing together? - [Danielle] Yes. 199 00:07:53,767 --> 00:07:56,533 Then quite frankly, I don't care what happened in February. 200 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,500 And neither does any court care what happened in February. 201 00:07:59,567 --> 00:08:01,133 You two were keeping house. 202 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:03,633 There's a word in the law called condonation 203 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:06,567 and that means that if something happens between a couple 204 00:08:06,633 --> 00:08:09,934 and they have a fight, and a spat, and they break things 205 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:11,433 and they call each other names, 206 00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:13,133 and they call their in-laws names, 207 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,567 and then they go back to living together as a couple, 208 00:08:15,633 --> 00:08:17,533 the courts don't care about it 209 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:19,834 'cause you evidently didn't care about it, 210 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:21,567 you didn't care about it enough 211 00:08:21,633 --> 00:08:24,400 not to [chuckles] resume your relationship with him. 212 00:08:24,467 --> 00:08:26,734 So quite frankly, I don't care 213 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,233 and I'm not going to assist you in fixing things 214 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,200 that he may have broken, 215 00:08:32,265 --> 00:08:35,100 that he may have done while you were separated 216 00:08:35,165 --> 00:08:37,734 if you took him back and you continued to live together. 217 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:39,467 So your case is dismissed. 218 00:08:39,533 --> 00:08:42,232 Now, I'm gonna get to the counterclaim, that's easy. 219 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:46,700 Did he buy the following things, a deep freezer? 220 00:08:46,767 --> 00:08:48,700 We purchased together. 221 00:08:48,767 --> 00:08:50,467 - Is that correct? - [Mario] No. 222 00:08:50,533 --> 00:08:52,400 [Judge Judy] Prove to me that you purchased it alone. 223 00:08:52,467 --> 00:08:53,967 I have the receipt here 224 00:08:54,033 --> 00:08:56,200 and it's paid for with my bank account and, um... 225 00:08:56,266 --> 00:08:58,066 Okay. I'd like to take a look at it. 226 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:00,266 Okay. 227 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,467 Here's the receipt that [indistinct] 228 00:09:04,533 --> 00:09:07,333 receipt [indistinct] system. 229 00:09:08,433 --> 00:09:09,500 Now... 230 00:09:10,967 --> 00:09:15,000 what was purchased at Home Depot was $151.80, 231 00:09:15,066 --> 00:09:18,734 and do you have the receipt for the surround sound system? 232 00:09:19,133 --> 00:09:21,033 - Um, I wasn't able to... - That's either a yes or a no. 233 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:22,533 - No. - Okay. 234 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,867 Do you have a receipt for a sectional sofa? 235 00:09:24,934 --> 00:09:25,900 [Mario] Yes, I have. 236 00:09:25,967 --> 00:09:27,333 I'd like to see it. 237 00:09:30,066 --> 00:09:31,066 [Mario] Okay. Hold on, 238 00:09:31,133 --> 00:09:32,867 take that there and this just-- 239 00:09:32,934 --> 00:09:35,100 'cause I financed it but it's a paper in here 240 00:09:35,165 --> 00:09:36,867 that just says paid in full. 241 00:09:39,133 --> 00:09:41,367 That one's--yeah, that's the one that said paid in full. 242 00:09:47,333 --> 00:09:48,266 What is this? 243 00:09:48,333 --> 00:09:49,834 This is a lease to own. 244 00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:53,500 [Mario] Right. It's just a paper up there that says paid in full, 245 00:09:53,567 --> 00:09:56,133 zero for the amount of the--the furniture 246 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:58,734 and the sectional and the queen size bed. 247 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:00,867 Okay. And this was 248 00:10:00,934 --> 00:10:04,900 - 15th of December of 2017? - [Mario] Yes, well it was paid... 249 00:10:04,967 --> 00:10:06,700 [Judge Judy] This is a customer receipt. 250 00:10:06,767 --> 00:10:08,333 - [Mario] Yeah. - Well, let me ask you 251 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,000 the following questions before I go through all of these things. 252 00:10:11,066 --> 00:10:12,433 So this is all old stuff. 253 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:13,500 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 254 00:10:13,567 --> 00:10:16,433 And the iPhone that you say you bought her... 255 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:17,667 - [Mario] Yeah. - ...you say you bought her 256 00:10:17,734 --> 00:10:19,133 - and then you turned off service? - [Mario] Yes. 257 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:21,166 Which is you have every right to do. 258 00:10:21,233 --> 00:10:23,900 And then what year was the iPhone 11 purchased? 259 00:10:23,967 --> 00:10:26,767 The iPhone 11 was purchased 2021. 260 00:10:26,834 --> 00:10:27,900 [Judge Judy] In what month? 261 00:10:27,967 --> 00:10:29,266 [Mario] March 27th. 262 00:10:29,333 --> 00:10:30,533 [Judge Judy] When you moved back in? 263 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:31,467 Yes. 264 00:10:33,633 --> 00:10:35,467 - [Danielle] No. - (chuckles) Okay. 265 00:10:35,533 --> 00:10:36,934 Did you give it to her as a gift? 266 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,300 No. I have a business account 267 00:10:39,367 --> 00:10:41,800 and by me eh--having a business account, 268 00:10:41,867 --> 00:10:43,633 I'm able to get business phones 269 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:47,467 and so I said, "Hey, I can get a extra iPhone." 270 00:10:47,533 --> 00:10:48,433 [Judge Judy] Great. 271 00:10:48,500 --> 00:10:49,934 All right. Do you have your iPhone? 272 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:51,500 - Yeah. I still have it. - [Judge Judy] Great. 273 00:10:51,567 --> 00:10:52,667 Great. Great. 274 00:10:52,734 --> 00:10:54,533 Did you put it on a new payment plan? 275 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:55,533 [Danielle] I switched my phone number to it. 276 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:56,767 That's either a yes or a no. 277 00:10:56,834 --> 00:10:58,000 I can't do anything with it. 278 00:10:58,066 --> 00:10:59,867 He cut it off, took my phone number, and... 279 00:10:59,934 --> 00:11:01,000 Just a second. 280 00:11:01,066 --> 00:11:02,300 So you can't do anything with it. 281 00:11:02,367 --> 00:11:03,500 Well, he's not gonna pay for it. 282 00:11:03,567 --> 00:11:05,533 So now you have it, frame it, 283 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,333 I don't know what you wanna do with it, okay. 284 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,200 When you lived together, did you have a joint bank account? 285 00:11:10,266 --> 00:11:11,834 - No, we did not. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 286 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:14,600 Can you tell me, I have just a couple of bills, 287 00:11:14,667 --> 00:11:17,133 one is for a four-year old bedroom set. 288 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:18,367 - Right. - [Judge Judy] Which I know 289 00:11:18,433 --> 00:11:21,066 that the two of you used and one is a receipt for 290 00:11:21,133 --> 00:11:24,900 $151.80 for a deep freezer. 291 00:11:24,967 --> 00:11:26,300 He says he paid for it. 292 00:11:26,367 --> 00:11:27,934 You said we purchased it. 293 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,033 Explain that to me. 294 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:32,100 I gave him, like, $50 on it. 295 00:11:32,165 --> 00:11:35,367 We purchased it together, as far as the deep freezer. 296 00:11:35,433 --> 00:11:36,600 What about the bedroom set? 297 00:11:36,667 --> 00:11:38,900 The bedroom set, he moved out. 298 00:11:38,967 --> 00:11:42,367 I have a receipt where I purchased my own furniture set right here. 299 00:11:42,433 --> 00:11:43,867 He brung his back. 300 00:11:43,934 --> 00:11:46,433 Um, his is broken, his bed, he sold. 301 00:11:46,500 --> 00:11:49,233 He only brung a mattress back, not the box spring. 302 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:52,533 He sold the mattress to his friend last year for $50. 303 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,300 So, the bed isn't even there. 304 00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:55,900 [Judge Judy] I'm not following you. 305 00:11:55,967 --> 00:11:57,600 When did you buy a new bedroom set? 306 00:11:57,667 --> 00:12:00,734 [Danielle] I bought a bedroom set 'cause he moved out once 307 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,700 and he took what he bought. 308 00:12:02,767 --> 00:12:06,700 So this was January 2018, 309 00:12:06,767 --> 00:12:08,967 - I bought a sectional and a bed. - Okay. 310 00:12:09,033 --> 00:12:10,500 [Danielle] He brung his back broken. 311 00:12:10,567 --> 00:12:11,400 J--j--just a second. 312 00:12:11,467 --> 00:12:13,934 So you were living together in 2018, 313 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,033 and separated for a period of time, 314 00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:17,867 - is that what you're saying? - [Danielle] Yes. He--yes. 315 00:12:17,934 --> 00:12:21,800 And when you separated back in January of '18 for a period of time, 316 00:12:21,867 --> 00:12:23,533 'cause I got that this was a back and forth, 317 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:25,867 you're saying he took his bedroom set with him... 318 00:12:25,934 --> 00:12:27,433 - [Danielle] Yes. - - ...and you purchased another one? 319 00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:28,333 Purchased another. 320 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,200 [Judge Judy] Is that what you're saying? 321 00:12:29,300 --> 00:12:31,834 Does that have a ring of familiarity to you? 322 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:35,333 Your Honor, when I moved my furniture out and bedroom set out 323 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:37,567 at the time, at--in January... 324 00:12:37,633 --> 00:12:39,700 - Yes. - [Mario] ...yes, uh, we ended up 325 00:12:39,767 --> 00:12:43,165 gettin' back together, and it's a two-bedroom apartment, 326 00:12:43,233 --> 00:12:47,033 and she bring the furniture back, bring everything back, 327 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:48,900 bring the TV back, um, this and that, 328 00:12:48,967 --> 00:12:50,400 - we back together. - [Danielle] We didn't. 329 00:12:50,467 --> 00:12:51,867 [Mario] So I bought all my furniture back, 330 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,333 I bought everything back to the apartment. 331 00:12:54,934 --> 00:12:58,333 She did purchase another bed and another furniture set section... 332 00:12:58,400 --> 00:12:59,934 That the two of you used together? 333 00:13:00,066 --> 00:13:01,166 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 334 00:13:01,233 --> 00:13:02,333 Well then let me ask you this, 335 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,333 so what you're telling me is that the bedroom set, 336 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:05,967 which is really the only thing I'm interested in, 337 00:13:06,033 --> 00:13:07,767 I'm not interested in a two-year old freezer 338 00:13:07,834 --> 00:13:09,300 that cost a hundred dollars, 339 00:13:09,367 --> 00:13:12,934 the bedroom set that you purchased was in the second bedroom? 340 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,333 No, it was in our bedroom and r--so the... 341 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:16,834 And what did you do with the one that she purchased? 342 00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:18,567 [Mario] It's in the second bedroom. 343 00:13:18,667 --> 00:13:20,467 [Judge Judy] Oh, I cannot believe 344 00:13:20,567 --> 00:13:23,333 I went to 10 years post graduate school for this. 345 00:13:23,667 --> 00:13:24,800 Yes. [laughs] 346 00:13:24,867 --> 00:13:26,266 My father would be proud. 347 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,233 You sold the house for $27,000. 348 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:33,266 And then the next buyer sold it for $108,000. 349 00:13:33,367 --> 00:13:34,567 I feel like you stole that whole amount from me. 350 00:13:34,633 --> 00:13:35,467 It doesn't matter what the next buyer did. 351 00:13:35,533 --> 00:13:36,367 [Jon] It wasn't your profit selling it. 352 00:13:36,433 --> 00:13:38,066 If you sold it, you should've at least told me 353 00:13:38,133 --> 00:13:39,233 before you bought another house. 354 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:41,000 Are they getting it out of their system? 355 00:13:41,533 --> 00:13:42,433 Yeah? 356 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,600 [tense music playing] 357 00:13:52,467 --> 00:13:58,233 [announcer] Danielle Lovett has accused her ex-fiance, Mario Griffin, 358 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:01,467 of vandalizing her car and harassment. 359 00:14:01,533 --> 00:14:06,667 Mario claims Danielle refuses to give back belongings he purchased. 360 00:14:06,734 --> 00:14:10,100 Let me put it to you this way, do you have any of his bedroom... 361 00:14:10,166 --> 00:14:11,400 Nothing. Nothing is there. 362 00:14:11,467 --> 00:14:12,700 - [Judge Judy] Nothing is there? - Nothing. 363 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:14,400 - [Judge Judy] Nothing, she has nothing. - Not bedroom... 364 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:16,033 - She has nothing. - [Mario] She's lying. 365 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:18,567 - [Judge Judy] Okay. - No bed. Couch is there, broken. 366 00:14:18,667 --> 00:14:19,767 [Judge Judy] Just a second. 367 00:14:19,867 --> 00:14:20,767 The couch is there that he purchased? 368 00:14:20,867 --> 00:14:22,066 [Danielle] Yes. 369 00:14:22,233 --> 00:14:24,100 [Judge Judy] And it's in your apartment? 370 00:14:24,166 --> 00:14:25,166 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Great. 371 00:14:25,233 --> 00:14:28,400 So you have five days to get it out, do you understand? 372 00:14:28,467 --> 00:14:29,633 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] If you don't get it 373 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:32,367 out of her apartment with a mover within five days, 374 00:14:32,433 --> 00:14:35,033 on notice to her as to what day you're coming, 375 00:14:35,100 --> 00:14:37,567 you will have considered the sofa abandoned, 376 00:14:37,633 --> 00:14:38,633 do you understand? 377 00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:39,734 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Yes. 378 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:40,934 - Can I-- - [Judge Judy] Perfect. 379 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,467 Then I have resolved this case. 380 00:14:43,533 --> 00:14:45,133 - Your claim is dismissed. - [Mario] Yeah. 381 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,300 Because of the reasons that I stated. 382 00:14:47,367 --> 00:14:50,600 You have my judgment, do you understand? 383 00:14:50,667 --> 00:14:52,200 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Perfect. Thank you. 384 00:14:52,266 --> 00:14:53,133 [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 385 00:14:54,633 --> 00:14:57,700 Well, it wasn't fair because he did the damages 386 00:14:57,767 --> 00:14:59,100 but he's still gonna pay for it. 387 00:14:59,165 --> 00:15:03,400 Um, I kind of think it's a m--money thing, you know. 388 00:15:03,467 --> 00:15:05,900 You know, whether we get back together, 389 00:15:05,967 --> 00:15:08,734 he still did it so that was not fair at all. 390 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:12,233 [Mario] I'm a truck driver, so I make a little money and... 391 00:15:12,300 --> 00:15:13,600 He could kick rocks. 392 00:15:13,667 --> 00:15:14,867 He could kick rocks. 393 00:15:14,934 --> 00:15:18,100 She could use it for her benefits, you know. 394 00:15:18,166 --> 00:15:20,700 He's a narcissist. He could find a next victim. 395 00:15:20,767 --> 00:15:24,066 Glad it's over with and hey, I'mma move on, you know. 396 00:15:24,133 --> 00:15:25,066 That's basically it. 397 00:15:25,834 --> 00:15:27,500 [Sarah] So can you just explain a little bit 398 00:15:27,567 --> 00:15:30,533 why if he did damage the home or the car 399 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:31,734 while they were together, 400 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,800 is getting back together enough of an out for him 401 00:15:34,867 --> 00:15:37,066 to not be responsible for that sort of damage? 402 00:15:37,133 --> 00:15:40,333 [Judge Judy] Well, I took a term that I learned in law school 403 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:42,165 which is called condonation 404 00:15:42,233 --> 00:15:46,000 and when you sue for the damage that your mate, 405 00:15:46,066 --> 00:15:49,467 your spouse did during the course of a marriage, 406 00:15:49,533 --> 00:15:52,900 you may use a course of conduct as a reason for a divorce, 407 00:15:52,967 --> 00:15:56,033 but courts can't go back and rewrite history. 408 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:58,165 - [Sarah] Uh-hmm. - Now she's going back six months 409 00:15:58,233 --> 00:16:00,467 and say, "Well, he broke the windows in my house 410 00:16:00,533 --> 00:16:02,400 and he smashed the window in my car." 411 00:16:02,467 --> 00:16:05,400 Well, evidently you weren't upset about it enough 412 00:16:05,467 --> 00:16:07,867 not to let somebody who had that propensity... 413 00:16:07,934 --> 00:16:09,467 - Uh-hmm. - ...back into your life 414 00:16:09,533 --> 00:16:10,633 and back into your bedroom. 415 00:16:10,700 --> 00:16:13,600 So, uh, you know, there's a good lesson for everybody, 416 00:16:13,667 --> 00:16:17,233 especially for women, leopards don't change their spots usually. 417 00:16:17,300 --> 00:16:20,700 Anyway, condonation, be smart. 418 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:24,133 Case 1088, Smothers versus Smothers. 419 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:26,100 All parties, please step forward. 420 00:16:26,166 --> 00:16:30,834 [announcer] John Smothers is suing his twin brother Chad Smothers 421 00:16:30,900 --> 00:16:34,100 for his portion of profits from selling a house. 422 00:16:34,367 --> 00:16:36,100 Mr. Smothers, this is your brother, 423 00:16:36,266 --> 00:16:40,266 it is your claim that he owes you your share of the profit 424 00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:42,367 - f--from flipping a house. - Yes, Judge. 425 00:16:42,433 --> 00:16:44,667 I read your complaint, I read the answer, 426 00:16:44,734 --> 00:16:50,066 and it appears that you purchased two houses at auction. 427 00:16:50,133 --> 00:16:51,967 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] In what year 428 00:16:52,033 --> 00:16:53,066 did that take place? 429 00:16:53,233 --> 00:16:54,133 2012. 430 00:16:54,266 --> 00:16:57,333 [Judge Judy] And the purpose of purchasing the houses 431 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:01,333 was for you and your brother to refurbish them 432 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:02,266 and sell them at a profit? 433 00:17:02,367 --> 00:17:03,200 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 434 00:17:03,266 --> 00:17:05,767 Do you have a written contract with your brother? 435 00:17:05,967 --> 00:17:07,266 I have no written contract. 436 00:17:07,367 --> 00:17:10,200 [Judge Judy] So this was an oral agreement with regard to real estate? 437 00:17:10,367 --> 00:17:12,666 There was no agreement. I bought the houses. 438 00:17:12,767 --> 00:17:14,032 The only reason he came to the auction 439 00:17:14,165 --> 00:17:16,567 was to put the house in his name. 440 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:19,800 [Judge Judy] Just a--listen, he put the houses in his name, 441 00:17:19,867 --> 00:17:21,967 the houses are in his name, that means he owns them. 442 00:17:22,666 --> 00:17:26,333 If you say there was no agreement between the two of you 443 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,233 to flip these houses, which I actually thought you said there was, 444 00:17:30,500 --> 00:17:34,633 then houses were purchased in 2012, 445 00:17:34,700 --> 00:17:37,934 they were put in your brother's name, so he owns the two houses. 446 00:17:38,133 --> 00:17:40,266 [Chad] Your Honor, we did have an agreement. 447 00:17:40,333 --> 00:17:42,533 We, we agreed we would work together on the two houses 448 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:43,934 together at the beginning 449 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,166 and one would be his and one would be mine. 450 00:17:46,233 --> 00:17:47,834 [Jon] That's not the agreement whatsoever. 451 00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:50,500 I bought the houses for me and her 452 00:17:50,567 --> 00:17:52,700 to keep--live in one and invest and sell the other one. 453 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,033 He had no nowhere else to live, he had nowhere to go, he's lost his job, 454 00:17:55,133 --> 00:17:56,834 so he moved into a house that was 455 00:17:56,900 --> 00:17:58,433 for all intensive purposes, unlivable. 456 00:17:58,533 --> 00:18:01,834 There was no agreement or understanding from the very beginning 457 00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:04,066 to the time he sold the house behind my back 458 00:18:04,133 --> 00:18:07,066 that he had anything to do but--other than live in the house. 459 00:18:07,133 --> 00:18:08,266 - [Judge Judy] Smothers? - Yes. 460 00:18:08,333 --> 00:18:10,700 You're the complainant, J. Smothers? 461 00:18:10,767 --> 00:18:11,700 Yes, Jon. 462 00:18:11,767 --> 00:18:13,333 [Judge Judy] Let me read to you what you wrote 463 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,066 in your sworn complaint. 464 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:17,834 "Chad is my identical twin brother. 465 00:18:17,934 --> 00:18:20,667 I was in the military and when I was done, I lost my home. 466 00:18:20,834 --> 00:18:24,400 I was good at building and renovation so I had the idea 467 00:18:24,467 --> 00:18:26,867 to start buying cheap properties, fix them up, 468 00:18:26,934 --> 00:18:28,934 and then flip them for profit." 469 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:30,800 That's what you wrote, that's your signature. 470 00:18:31,133 --> 00:18:33,433 "First time I did this, I went to an auction 471 00:18:33,567 --> 00:18:36,000 with my children's mother and Chad." 472 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:37,233 That would be you, 473 00:18:37,367 --> 00:18:39,533 "I had to put the houses in my brother's name 474 00:18:39,667 --> 00:18:42,767 in order to avoid some pending erroneous leans. 475 00:18:42,967 --> 00:18:45,433 I bought the two houses. I was going to live in one 476 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:49,033 and Chad and I were going to renovate both properties." 477 00:18:49,367 --> 00:18:51,834 That's what you said. Uh, were you mistaken when you said that? 478 00:18:52,133 --> 00:18:55,333 - After--no, I was not mistaken. - [Judge Judy] J--just--think, 479 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:57,967 think about what you just said 480 00:18:58,033 --> 00:19:01,000 and what I just read to you that you wrote in your sworn complaint. 481 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:05,200 The houses were purchased for my, my plan, my idea. 482 00:19:05,266 --> 00:19:06,700 He had nowhere else to live, yes, I-- 483 00:19:06,767 --> 00:19:08,567 eventually when he moved in to the house, 484 00:19:08,633 --> 00:19:09,967 I agreed that if he's gonna live there and do work on it, 485 00:19:10,066 --> 00:19:11,700 with no, no rent, no payment, no nothing, 486 00:19:11,767 --> 00:19:13,233 that he would be able to eventually, 487 00:19:13,300 --> 00:19:15,467 if, if we--when we sold the house together, 488 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:16,734 that, yeah, he would get some of the money 489 00:19:16,834 --> 00:19:18,767 but it wasn't his house to sell, it was my money, my plan, 490 00:19:18,867 --> 00:19:20,734 my investment, he just put his hand up 491 00:19:20,834 --> 00:19:22,200 during the--during the, the auction. 492 00:19:22,367 --> 00:19:24,433 - He did. - But... 493 00:19:24,500 --> 00:19:26,767 - Then we did sell the house... - He took $2,700 into the house. 494 00:19:26,834 --> 00:19:29,166 - [Judge Judy] Keep going. - And I made it worth enough to sell. 495 00:19:29,233 --> 00:19:31,700 You sold the house for $27,000 496 00:19:31,767 --> 00:19:34,900 and then the next buyer sold it for $108,000. 497 00:19:34,967 --> 00:19:35,934 I feel like you stole that whole amount from me. 498 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:37,300 It doesn t matter what the next buyer did. 499 00:19:37,367 --> 00:19:38,600 It wasn't your property to sell and if you sold it, 500 00:19:38,667 --> 00:19:39,934 you should've at least told me before you bought another house. 501 00:19:40,033 --> 00:19:41,400 You bought a whole another house 502 00:19:41,467 --> 00:19:43,200 and didn't even tell me and I found out through a friend 503 00:19:43,266 --> 00:19:44,433 that you have this money now 504 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,467 and that you didn't g--give me a single nickel off of it. 505 00:19:46,567 --> 00:19:47,900 Now maybe we didn't a exact agreement 506 00:19:48,033 --> 00:19:49,600 of how much you should get or how much I should get 507 00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:51,834 but I didn't know you even sold the house 508 00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:52,834 and you only got 30 grand for it. 509 00:19:52,934 --> 00:19:54,333 [Chad] It got nowhere near 30 grand, but... 510 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:55,667 Are they getting it out of their system? 511 00:19:55,767 --> 00:19:56,967 Yeah? Goodbye 512 00:19:57,066 --> 00:19:59,934 You--case is barred by the statute of limitations, we're done. 513 00:20:00,133 --> 00:20:01,934 [Kevin] Court is adjourned. 514 00:20:02,967 --> 00:20:04,266 He was living in a house. 515 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,000 2017 and he sold it and didn't tell me that he even sold it. 516 00:20:07,266 --> 00:20:09,700 I put all my blood, sweat, and tears into fixing that house up. 517 00:20:09,834 --> 00:20:11,467 He did put an initial investment into it. 518 00:20:11,633 --> 00:20:14,033 I should've been able to at least get half of the money 519 00:20:14,133 --> 00:20:15,333 from the profit from him selling that house. 520 00:20:15,433 --> 00:20:17,734 No, not everyone always gets a return on their investment. 521 00:20:17,867 --> 00:20:19,834 Sometimes people lose money on their investments but... 522 00:20:19,934 --> 00:20:20,967 I don't have a brother. 523 00:20:21,100 --> 00:20:22,700 I wish this didn't keep us from being brothers 524 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:24,233 but maybe we can work it out later. 525 00:20:24,333 --> 00:20:25,500 Yeah, blood is thicker than water 526 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:28,000 but blood will hurt you just as worse than anybody else. 527 00:20:30,166 --> 00:20:32,333 So there is a perfect example 528 00:20:32,467 --> 00:20:35,567 of why courts insist that you bring your actions 529 00:20:35,667 --> 00:20:38,033 if there's a breach of a contract, if there's an accident, 530 00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:40,834 if there's a claim of negligence, whatever the claim is, 531 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,934 within a reasonable period of time 532 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:46,333 but the theory of it is that memories are fresh, 533 00:20:46,467 --> 00:20:47,567 documents are fresh, 534 00:20:47,667 --> 00:20:51,467 this guy couldn't even remember from when he signed his complaint 535 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:53,767 to the story he just began to tell me. 536 00:20:53,867 --> 00:20:56,467 So there is a reason why courts insist 537 00:20:56,567 --> 00:20:59,700 that a case be fresh because memories are clear. 538 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:02,300 And they were far outside of that fresh period. 539 00:21:02,367 --> 00:21:03,533 (chuckles) Far outside the fresh period. 540 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:07,633 [announcer] Are you having a family dispute? 541 00:21:07,700 --> 00:21:09,533 Go to JudyJustice.tv. 542 00:21:14,934 --> 00:21:17,934 [theme music playing]