1 00:00:06,867 --> 00:00:08,867 - He lost the ring? - Yes. 2 00:00:08,934 --> 00:00:11,600 I'm surprised it says here, "I took the ring." 3 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:13,533 - What? I beat her up? - But... 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:15,000 No, she handed me the ring. 5 00:00:15,834 --> 00:00:19,100 This is the second time she gave me a piece of jewelry to fix. 6 00:00:19,166 --> 00:00:20,700 I think she's, you know, strong-arming me. 7 00:00:20,767 --> 00:00:22,667 You're an interesting character. 8 00:00:23,333 --> 00:00:25,400 - Let's do the desert for a weekend. - [laughs] 9 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:27,500 Come on out to the desert, I'll take care of you. I'll cover you. 10 00:00:27,567 --> 00:00:28,867 [Judge Levy] I wanna change my verdict. 11 00:00:28,934 --> 00:00:30,066 [laughs] 12 00:00:30,133 --> 00:00:31,133 What? You wanna go instead? 13 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,834 [announcer] Now, on Tribunal Justice... 14 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:37,433 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 15 00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,600 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Palm Springs, California. 16 00:00:59,266 --> 00:01:05,066 Yeah, this is case number 2070 on account in the matter of Dorks versus Shearn. 17 00:01:05,132 --> 00:01:06,567 - Thank you, Byrd. - You're welcome, Judge. 18 00:01:06,633 --> 00:01:09,367 Parties have been sworn in. Everybody may be seated. 19 00:01:09,433 --> 00:01:13,433 Ms. Dorks, you gave a ring that you received from your mother 20 00:01:13,500 --> 00:01:15,567 to the defendant to repair. 21 00:01:15,633 --> 00:01:17,133 Sir, somehow you lost it. 22 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,633 You say you didn't wanna give it to him in the first place, 23 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:20,967 but he took it from you. 24 00:01:21,033 --> 00:01:25,500 Ultimately, you went and had it replaced. Cost you a thousand dollars to do that. 25 00:01:25,567 --> 00:01:28,467 You say, "That's ridiculous. The ring isn't worth more than a hundred." 26 00:01:28,533 --> 00:01:32,600 She's here suing you for the $1,000, which is the replacement value. 27 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,967 - So it's your mother's ring, right? - Yes. 28 00:01:35,033 --> 00:01:38,033 [Judge DiMango] She's passed away. She passed away November 11th of 2011. 29 00:01:38,100 --> 00:01:39,200 11/11/11. 30 00:01:39,265 --> 00:01:40,265 When did she give you the ring? 31 00:01:40,333 --> 00:01:43,633 It was given to me after her death. It was willed to me. 32 00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:45,700 Did you get anything besides the ring? 33 00:01:45,767 --> 00:01:47,633 I had an--another one of her wedding rings 34 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:50,467 and that was stolen years ago from my work. 35 00:01:50,533 --> 00:01:51,866 [Judge DiMango] What did you do for a living? 36 00:01:51,934 --> 00:01:53,233 I'm a massage therapist. 37 00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:54,467 [Judge DiMango] And as a massage therapist, 38 00:01:54,533 --> 00:01:56,166 was that part of your relationship with him? 39 00:01:56,233 --> 00:01:57,500 [Renee] I did massages on him. 40 00:01:57,567 --> 00:01:59,265 I met him about four years ago. 41 00:01:59,333 --> 00:02:01,900 We all used to hang out at Cactus Jack's in Palm Desert. 42 00:02:01,967 --> 00:02:04,166 Cactus is a restaurant? 43 00:02:04,233 --> 00:02:05,600 - Cactus Jack's, yes. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. 44 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:08,100 So now, you have the ring. You're hanging out. 45 00:02:08,166 --> 00:02:09,366 How does the ring get damaged? 46 00:02:09,433 --> 00:02:12,600 Um, I was at my house and it-- and it just fell out of the setting. 47 00:02:13,066 --> 00:02:15,767 [Judge DiMango] I'd like to show a picture of the ring because that's very important. 48 00:02:15,834 --> 00:02:17,500 - So is that the ring? - [Renee] Yes. 49 00:02:17,567 --> 00:02:19,633 - [Judge DiMango] What kind of stone? - [Renee] Uh, aqua--uh, topaz. 50 00:02:19,700 --> 00:02:20,900 [Judge DiMango] Topaz or aquamarine? 51 00:02:20,966 --> 00:02:22,466 Because it looks aquamarine in the picture. 52 00:02:22,533 --> 00:02:23,900 It's probably aquamarine. 53 00:02:23,966 --> 00:02:26,966 I get--I'm not a really good person on, uh, gems. 54 00:02:27,033 --> 00:02:30,166 But you would think you wore a ring for 11 years, 12 years, 55 00:02:30,233 --> 00:02:31,567 you would know what it was, right? 56 00:02:32,033 --> 00:02:34,133 Because the point here is you had another ring made. 57 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,867 And you spent a thousand dollars on it and he's disputing that. 58 00:02:36,934 --> 00:02:41,567 So I think you gotta be kinda specific as to what your original ring was, 59 00:02:41,633 --> 00:02:45,100 so that whether or not we find that the duplication of it was reasonable. 60 00:02:45,166 --> 00:02:46,800 - [Renee] But it was... - So what stone was in your ring? 61 00:02:46,867 --> 00:02:48,400 It was definitely an aquamarine 62 00:02:48,466 --> 00:02:51,200 and the guy that I went to verified that for me 63 00:02:51,266 --> 00:02:53,633 from the pictures that I showed him of the previous ring. 64 00:02:53,700 --> 00:02:56,000 So why do your papers say topaz? 65 00:02:56,066 --> 00:02:58,200 [Renee] It just-- I probably just got confused. 66 00:02:58,266 --> 00:03:00,200 But it's definitely an aquamarine. 67 00:03:00,266 --> 00:03:01,767 [Judge DiMango] And that's your new ring? 68 00:03:01,834 --> 00:03:02,900 - [Renee] Uh-hmm. - [Judge DiMango] Very similar. 69 00:03:02,967 --> 00:03:04,834 - Not identical, but similar. - [Renee] Correct. 70 00:03:04,900 --> 00:03:07,967 So you bring the broken ring to the place 71 00:03:08,033 --> 00:03:10,433 to ask him where--who his jeweler was, 72 00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:13,367 you could've asked him that in a text, on the phone, or without the ring. 73 00:03:13,433 --> 00:03:17,133 I had it in my purse with the intent of taking it to a jeweler 74 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:18,633 and I ran into him at Cactus. 75 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:21,466 And I knew he knew a jeweler guy, so I asked him at that point. 76 00:03:21,533 --> 00:03:24,400 My intent was never to directly use his guy, 77 00:03:24,466 --> 00:03:25,533 but I knew he knew somebody. 78 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,433 But now, what do you do for a living, sir? 79 00:03:27,500 --> 00:03:30,667 I buy and sell and trade precious metals and rare coins. 80 00:03:30,734 --> 00:03:33,300 I travel around the country to speak at investment conferences. 81 00:03:33,367 --> 00:03:36,033 I do work at a store in downtown Palms Springs. 82 00:03:36,100 --> 00:03:37,400 So, wait. Let me stop you a second. 83 00:03:37,466 --> 00:03:39,100 - This is you? - [Ken] Yeah. 84 00:03:39,166 --> 00:03:40,900 - [Judge DiMango] And who were you with? - [Ken] Steve Forbes. 85 00:03:40,966 --> 00:03:42,567 [Judge DiMango] I want you to see something. 86 00:03:42,633 --> 00:03:44,233 - Look at your hand. - [Ken] What about it? 87 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:46,667 Looks like you're gonna steal Steve Forbes' watch right off his wrist. 88 00:03:46,734 --> 00:03:49,066 - Nah. Nah. It's a Jersey thing. - It's a Jersey thing? 89 00:03:49,133 --> 00:03:50,166 - [Ken] Yeah. - Yeah. Well. 90 00:03:50,233 --> 00:03:51,800 - [Ken] Yeah. - I know Jersey. 91 00:03:51,867 --> 00:03:54,567 So, you wanted to take the ring to help her out. 92 00:03:54,633 --> 00:03:56,066 - No? - This is the second time 93 00:03:56,133 --> 00:03:58,400 - she'd give me a piece of jewelry to fix. - [Judge DiMango] Uh-hmm. 94 00:03:58,466 --> 00:03:59,600 - [Ken] And I did. - What was the piece of jewelry 95 00:03:59,667 --> 00:04:01,133 - she gave you? The topaz? - [Ken] It is a ring. 96 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,900 Uh, but, you know, and we're talking... 97 00:04:02,967 --> 00:04:03,934 - [Judge DiMango] But what... - ... a year ago. 98 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:05,300 - [Judge DiMango] Correct? - Yes. 99 00:04:05,367 --> 00:04:06,333 [Judge DiMango] All right. Go on. 100 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:10,233 So anyway, around the corner from my store in Palm Springs, 101 00:04:10,300 --> 00:04:14,467 there's a jeweler that I work with on items that are not expensive. 102 00:04:14,533 --> 00:04:16,600 Topaz, aquamarine, these are not... 103 00:04:16,667 --> 00:04:18,367 - [Judge DiMango] Well, that's still... - These are not precious metals. 104 00:04:18,433 --> 00:04:20,600 - No. - [Ken] But she gave it to me. 105 00:04:20,667 --> 00:04:24,834 She--you know, I'm surprised it says here, "I took the ring." 106 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:27,700 What? I beat her up? No. She handed me the ring. 107 00:04:27,767 --> 00:04:29,467 - You really are from Jersey. - [Ken] Yeah. 108 00:04:29,533 --> 00:04:31,867 [laughter] 109 00:04:31,934 --> 00:04:34,900 And Jersey girls fight back. You gotta be careful with those, you know. 110 00:04:34,967 --> 00:04:36,233 - But the point is... - And we Brooklyn girls 111 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:37,266 - are kinda tough too. - There you go. 112 00:04:37,332 --> 00:04:38,533 So don't give me any [...]. 113 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:39,567 [Ken] There you go. 114 00:04:39,633 --> 00:04:45,300 So the point is, it was a topaz sterling silver something. 115 00:04:45,367 --> 00:04:46,967 [Judge DiMango] Was it white gold, or white, 116 00:04:47,033 --> 00:04:48,000 - or yellow? - No. 117 00:04:48,066 --> 00:04:49,900 Yellow gold. Yellow gold with diamonds. 118 00:04:49,967 --> 00:04:51,233 - [Judge DiMango] Okay. - Aquamarine. 119 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:52,600 [Judge DiMango] So let me ask you this, 120 00:04:52,667 --> 00:04:57,133 if you knew that the ring that she had was a piece of junk basically, 121 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:58,933 - which is what you're saying... - Uh-huh. 122 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:00,433 [Judge DiMango] ... why would you go out of your way to take it 123 00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:03,200 and why don't you just tell her "Forget it. It's junk?" You're her friend. 124 00:05:03,266 --> 00:05:04,433 Why wouldn't you just let it go? 125 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:07,066 Because that's what people do. I did it before once. 126 00:05:07,133 --> 00:05:11,033 She's my masseuse where, you know, we have a camaraderie of people 127 00:05:11,100 --> 00:05:12,500 - that we hang out with. - Uh-hmm. 128 00:05:12,567 --> 00:05:14,800 So it's just a friend doing a friend a deal. 129 00:05:14,867 --> 00:05:17,100 [Judge DiMango] Okay. Where did you put the ring when she gave it to you? 130 00:05:17,166 --> 00:05:19,033 Put it--she--I got it in a little tissue. 131 00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:20,934 Yeah, we do that too. I put my jewelry--that's where 132 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:22,133 - [indistinct] earrings that way. - [Ken] You know. 133 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:24,433 So what happened, I'm with my lady friend. 134 00:05:24,500 --> 00:05:25,700 - We're all there together. - [Judge DiMango] Uh-hmm. 135 00:05:25,767 --> 00:05:28,332 I said, "You put it in the car. Put it in the cup holder." 136 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:29,900 How long were you with this lady friend? 137 00:05:29,967 --> 00:05:31,800 Um, still am but she's, you know. 138 00:05:31,867 --> 00:05:32,834 - [Judge DiMango] Okay. - Yeah. Yeah. But before this... 139 00:05:32,900 --> 00:05:34,933 She's not--you haven't seen her wearing it, have you? 140 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:36,767 - [Ken] No. She's... - [Renee] No. 141 00:05:36,834 --> 00:05:38,100 Because that's what they do in Jersey. 142 00:05:38,166 --> 00:05:39,567 - [laughs] - [Ken] And this ring is too cheap. 143 00:05:39,633 --> 00:05:42,900 - I wouldn't give her that. Anyway... - Ooh. That was very nasty. 144 00:05:42,967 --> 00:05:43,933 [Ken] Oh, no. It's true. 145 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,900 - So the thing is... - Well, if it's so cheap, what the hell? 146 00:05:45,967 --> 00:05:48,100 Pay her the thousand dollars already. Knock it off. 147 00:05:48,166 --> 00:05:50,100 Oh, well, she could've came to me with it. 148 00:05:50,166 --> 00:05:52,033 Go to my jeweler. Let's make an offer. 149 00:05:52,100 --> 00:05:53,467 Let's go two or three places. 150 00:05:53,533 --> 00:05:54,767 - So let me go back to you. - [Ken] Okay. 151 00:05:54,834 --> 00:05:57,100 [Judge DiMango] How did you select the store that you went to 152 00:05:57,166 --> 00:05:58,233 to make a duplicate of it? 153 00:05:58,300 --> 00:05:59,900 Another friend of mine had a guy 154 00:05:59,967 --> 00:06:02,734 that did a really nice piece for a lady friend of mine 155 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:04,133 and it was beautiful. 156 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:05,967 So I went to him and he did-- 157 00:06:06,033 --> 00:06:09,233 he looked at everything and he just gave me what his cost was. 158 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:11,600 [Judge DiMango] Now did you ask if you used a different stone 159 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:12,867 or a different metal? 160 00:06:12,934 --> 00:06:14,133 Did they give you different prices? 161 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,934 No. I just--I told him that my mother's ring was 14 karat gold. 162 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,533 It meant a lot to me sentimentally 163 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:22,500 because it was one of the last things I had of hers. 164 00:06:22,567 --> 00:06:24,433 And when I ran into him in Albertsons 165 00:06:24,500 --> 00:06:26,300 and I told him I was getting it replicated, 166 00:06:26,367 --> 00:06:29,133 he said, "Just let me know how much it is. I'll pay it." 167 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,166 - And that's... - [Judge DiMango] The defendant? 168 00:06:30,233 --> 00:06:31,300 - [Renee] Yeah. And then... - He says, "I'll pay it." 169 00:06:31,367 --> 00:06:32,900 Well, I noticed in his papers 170 00:06:32,967 --> 00:06:36,100 you said, "Renee was upset and I felt bad 171 00:06:36,166 --> 00:06:39,433 so I asked her what I could do to make it better?" 172 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:41,367 Renee, what could he do to make it better? 173 00:06:41,433 --> 00:06:43,767 Pay me the thousand dollars. That's all I asked. 174 00:06:43,834 --> 00:06:45,300 Hey, Jersey boy. What do you think? 175 00:06:45,367 --> 00:06:48,166 I think she's charging me. I think she's, you know, strong-arming me. 176 00:06:48,233 --> 00:06:51,066 I think I could've taken that particular photograph 177 00:06:51,133 --> 00:06:52,433 of that particular ring, 178 00:06:52,500 --> 00:06:54,667 taken it to a very qualified jeweler 179 00:06:54,734 --> 00:06:56,667 and had it done for $100 or $200. 180 00:06:56,734 --> 00:06:57,767 [Judge DiMango] Well, I'm gonna ask you then, 181 00:06:57,834 --> 00:06:59,000 since none of your papers, 182 00:06:59,066 --> 00:07:02,967 I think, even show a ring that's worth $50 that's similar to that. 183 00:07:03,033 --> 00:07:05,367 - So the bottom line is... - There it is, right here. 184 00:07:05,734 --> 00:07:07,800 But it's not a gold ring. 185 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:09,633 - [Ken] See, right here. - You have 199 for this. 186 00:07:09,700 --> 00:07:11,000 But these are all gold-plated. 187 00:07:11,066 --> 00:07:12,633 Well, that she said hers was gold-plated. 188 00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:13,700 - [Judge DiMango] It was silver. - No, it's not. 189 00:07:13,767 --> 00:07:15,333 - No. I'm gonna tell you something. - [Ken] She said it was gold-plated. 190 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,433 She has not once said the words gold-plated. 191 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:20,767 - [Ken] Gold-filled. She said gold-filled. - She did--you-- 192 00:07:20,834 --> 00:07:22,567 I think you're hearing echoes in your own head. 193 00:07:22,633 --> 00:07:24,300 - I'm agreeing with you. - And can I say one of the thing? 194 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:26,033 - I'm gonna agree with you. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. Good. 195 00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:28,367 You look like you're going to the beach today. 196 00:07:28,767 --> 00:07:31,367 Come on. The guys in New Jersey know better than that. 197 00:07:31,433 --> 00:07:32,433 Judge Levy? 198 00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:33,700 - [Judge Levy] So Ms. Dorks? - Uh-hmm. 199 00:07:33,767 --> 00:07:35,066 [Judge Levy] You have the burden of proof here. 200 00:07:35,133 --> 00:07:39,734 And you're here telling us that the replacement ring was $1,000. 201 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:40,834 I have the receipt. Yes. 202 00:07:40,900 --> 00:07:42,867 [Judge Levy] Can we put that receipt on the screen? 203 00:07:42,933 --> 00:07:45,400 Because you understand the defendant's position, right? 204 00:07:45,467 --> 00:07:48,700 The defendant's position is that this was like custom jewelry. 205 00:07:48,767 --> 00:07:52,967 And he knows that he's responsible for what he lost. 206 00:07:53,033 --> 00:07:54,000 It's a bailment. 207 00:07:54,066 --> 00:07:56,667 But what he's saying is that you're trying to rip him off. 208 00:07:56,734 --> 00:08:00,667 You're trying to get him to pay for real gold jewelry 209 00:08:00,734 --> 00:08:02,367 when you gave him custom jewelry. 210 00:08:02,433 --> 00:08:03,967 That's what he's saying, but it's not correct. 211 00:08:04,033 --> 00:08:05,500 [Judge Levy] And that's what you say, it's not correct. 212 00:08:05,567 --> 00:08:07,867 - Exactly. - Did you ever tell him 213 00:08:07,934 --> 00:08:11,834 that the ring was more valuable than a thousand dollars? 214 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:13,333 - [Renee] No. - You sure about that? 215 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:15,700 Yeah. I never told him that. I just told him-- 216 00:08:15,767 --> 00:08:18,834 when I was in Albertsons, I told him that I was getting it replicated 217 00:08:18,900 --> 00:08:20,633 and he said, "No problem. I'll pay for it." 218 00:08:20,700 --> 00:08:22,266 - And that was like several months... - [Judge Levy] So you know... 219 00:08:22,332 --> 00:08:24,400 - ... down the road. - So you know from the receipt... 220 00:08:24,467 --> 00:08:26,433 - [Renee] Uh-hmm. - ... that your out-of-pocket 221 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:28,667 - was only a thousand dollars, right? - Correct. 222 00:08:28,734 --> 00:08:31,900 [Judge Levy] Did you ever indicate on any official court document 223 00:08:31,967 --> 00:08:34,567 that the ring cost $1,200? 224 00:08:34,633 --> 00:08:38,133 Twelve hundred due to I had to keep traveling to go back and forth 225 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:42,033 to approve the, uh, waxing and the stone that he got 226 00:08:42,100 --> 00:08:44,033 because he would get them from LA, bring 'em in, 227 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:47,734 show me 'em, have me approve it or get another one and then show me. 228 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:51,967 So I went back and forth to his shop to get this done. 229 00:08:52,033 --> 00:08:53,567 But that's not what you said to the court. 230 00:08:53,633 --> 00:08:56,233 So in other words, when you come to adjudicate your case 231 00:08:56,300 --> 00:08:57,800 before Tribunal Justice, 232 00:08:57,867 --> 00:09:00,633 we only take cases that were actually filed already 233 00:09:00,700 --> 00:09:02,767 - in small claims court, right? - Right. Correct. 234 00:09:02,834 --> 00:09:05,867 And then you come here and agree to allow us to adjudicate them 235 00:09:05,934 --> 00:09:07,767 - on your behalf, right? - Yes. 236 00:09:07,834 --> 00:09:10,066 What we do is we obtain copies 237 00:09:10,133 --> 00:09:13,900 of the original filings from that court to see 238 00:09:13,967 --> 00:09:16,000 - if what you say to us... - [Renee] Uh-hmm. 239 00:09:16,066 --> 00:09:18,700 ... is different than what you said to another judge. 240 00:09:18,767 --> 00:09:20,800 And in that court filing 241 00:09:20,867 --> 00:09:24,600 which was November 21st, right, 2023-- 242 00:09:24,667 --> 00:09:25,700 that's when you filed 243 00:09:25,767 --> 00:09:27,433 - in small claims court. - Uh-hmm. 244 00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:30,533 You specifically said that he owes you $1,200 245 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,900 because he took my blue topaz ring, 246 00:09:33,967 --> 00:09:36,000 not your aquamarine ring. 247 00:09:36,066 --> 00:09:38,867 You said that was a mistake that you made to us. 248 00:09:38,934 --> 00:09:41,600 You told that judge it was a topaz ring. 249 00:09:41,667 --> 00:09:44,000 Well, I probably told you I'm not very good with gems 250 00:09:44,066 --> 00:09:46,667 - and I--it's just sentimental... - [Judge Levy] Well, hold on. Stop. 251 00:09:46,734 --> 00:09:48,266 - [Renee] ... I was upset. - Stop. Stop. 252 00:09:48,333 --> 00:09:49,734 I may not be from Jersey, 253 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:51,934 but when someone writes in a court document 254 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,400 that it was a blue topaz ring, that's specific. 255 00:09:55,467 --> 00:09:57,200 - You would agree with that, right? - Correct. 256 00:09:57,266 --> 00:10:00,266 You could've wrote, "I don't know what kind of gemstone it was." 257 00:10:00,333 --> 00:10:01,500 - Yeah. - [Judge Levy] You didn't. 258 00:10:01,567 --> 00:10:03,166 - I didn't. - But the replacement 259 00:10:03,233 --> 00:10:07,900 for this highly sentimental hand-me-down, 260 00:10:07,967 --> 00:10:10,433 you decide to get a different stone. 261 00:10:10,500 --> 00:10:13,166 - It's the exact same stone. - No. You said it was aquamarine. 262 00:10:13,233 --> 00:10:15,433 Well, he corrected me when he saw the picture. 263 00:10:15,500 --> 00:10:17,166 - [Judge Levy] Hold on. No. No. No. - The jeweler. 264 00:10:17,233 --> 00:10:19,133 I don't care whether he corrected you or not. 265 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:20,266 - What? [indistinct]. - [Judge Levy] Yeah. Stop. 266 00:10:20,333 --> 00:10:22,533 - Don't--I don't need your help, Jersey. - [Ken] Okay. Well. 267 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:24,166 [crowd laughs] 268 00:10:24,233 --> 00:10:26,600 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice... 269 00:10:26,667 --> 00:10:29,867 Was there anything else that you recall about the ring? 270 00:10:29,934 --> 00:10:32,066 Well, it had the diamonds similar to the ones that I have. 271 00:10:32,133 --> 00:10:34,734 Yeah. Diamonds on it now. 272 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:36,200 Diamonds. 273 00:10:36,266 --> 00:10:37,567 [dramatic musical sting] 274 00:10:39,233 --> 00:10:41,066 [theme music plays] 275 00:10:41,133 --> 00:10:44,967 [announcer] Renee Dorks is suing former friend and jeweler, Ken Shearn 276 00:10:45,033 --> 00:10:46,500 for a thousand dollars, 277 00:10:46,567 --> 00:10:50,033 the replacement cost of a ring she claims he lost. 278 00:10:50,100 --> 00:10:53,734 But Ken says the ring was worth no more than $50. 279 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:59,500 Your mother left you, presumably in a will the ring that he lost 280 00:10:59,567 --> 00:11:03,066 that the replacement ring is something different. 281 00:11:03,133 --> 00:11:06,400 It's not different. I was wrong on what the gemstone was. 282 00:11:06,467 --> 00:11:07,567 - Stop with that. - [Renee] Okay. 283 00:11:07,633 --> 00:11:09,667 Because the "I don't know what it actually was" 284 00:11:09,734 --> 00:11:13,367 is inconsistent with your sworn prior testimony 285 00:11:13,433 --> 00:11:15,333 when you said you did know what it was. 286 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:16,800 Well, that's what I thought it was. 287 00:11:16,867 --> 00:11:21,166 And when you wrote out this complaint on November 21st, 288 00:11:21,233 --> 00:11:24,033 where you said that the ring was $1,200, 289 00:11:24,100 --> 00:11:26,467 you didn't say travel expenses or nonsense. 290 00:11:26,533 --> 00:11:29,767 You said to replace the blue topaz ring. 291 00:11:29,834 --> 00:11:33,367 You knew it only cost a thousand dollars, but you want twelve hundred from him. 292 00:11:33,433 --> 00:11:35,900 You understand how he could think that you're trying to rip him off? 293 00:11:35,967 --> 00:11:37,800 - I do understand that actually. - [Judge Levy] So explain that to me. 294 00:11:37,867 --> 00:11:40,567 I did not put in there that the travel which is what I just told you. 295 00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:42,533 - I did not put that in there. - You could've done that. 296 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:44,033 - [Renee] I could've and I did not. - And you didn't? 297 00:11:44,100 --> 00:11:47,367 Show me proof that you actually paid that thousand dollars. 298 00:11:48,333 --> 00:11:49,500 I paid cash. 299 00:11:50,033 --> 00:11:51,967 - But he wrote paid on it [indistinct]. - [Judge Levy] No, no, no, 300 00:11:52,033 --> 00:11:53,800 you didn't just tell me you paid cash, did you? 301 00:11:53,867 --> 00:11:54,967 Again, it's your burden. 302 00:11:55,033 --> 00:11:56,367 - I'm not saying that you didn't. - I get that. 303 00:11:56,433 --> 00:11:59,600 What I'm saying is that based upon the prior inconsistencies 304 00:11:59,667 --> 00:12:01,900 that I don't believe this receipt. 305 00:12:01,967 --> 00:12:04,500 And I wanna see that you actually paid it, that you're out-of-pocket. 306 00:12:04,567 --> 00:12:06,133 - Do you have it? - I don't have it. 307 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:07,200 - I would have to get... - [Judge Levy] That's all. Thank you. 308 00:12:07,266 --> 00:12:09,166 - Judge Acker. - [Judge Acker] Thank you, Judge Levy. 309 00:12:09,233 --> 00:12:13,000 Mr. Shearn, by the way, aquamarine is my birthstone. 310 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:15,667 And I really don't like it being given short shrift. 311 00:12:15,734 --> 00:12:17,800 I feel like you all are talking about it like it's a ring 312 00:12:17,867 --> 00:12:19,200 from a Cracker Jack box. 313 00:12:19,266 --> 00:12:20,500 - I'm just messing with you. - Basically. 314 00:12:20,567 --> 00:12:23,700 But--oh, it's heartbreaking. 315 00:12:23,767 --> 00:12:28,567 Tell me what's the price difference between say blue topaz and aquamarine? 316 00:12:28,633 --> 00:12:29,734 Your Honor, I don't know, 317 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:31,333 - um, because it varies. - Yeah. 318 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:33,700 [Ken] Okay. Like, uh, if you wanna talk about a diamond, 319 00:12:33,767 --> 00:12:35,333 it's called the three Ks. 320 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:37,967 - Cut, clarity, and carats, okay? - [Judge Acker] So there could be 321 00:12:38,033 --> 00:12:40,633 - different varieties of aquamarine? - The how big--how big-- 322 00:12:40,700 --> 00:12:42,200 yes, how big it is. 323 00:12:42,266 --> 00:12:44,867 Is it a square? Is it a marquise-cut? 324 00:12:44,934 --> 00:12:46,834 - You look at... - Which one would be more expensive 325 00:12:46,900 --> 00:12:49,900 assume the same cut, assume the same size? 326 00:12:49,967 --> 00:12:51,667 - Yeah. - Which would be more expensive? 327 00:12:51,734 --> 00:12:53,300 Probably the topaz. 328 00:12:53,367 --> 00:12:55,233 Hey, my birthstone is so cheap. 329 00:12:55,300 --> 00:12:57,200 [laughs] 330 00:12:57,266 --> 00:12:58,867 You can have an emerald, big deal. You know. 331 00:12:58,934 --> 00:13:00,600 - There's a bunch of that. - [Judge Acker] But so, 332 00:13:00,667 --> 00:13:02,033 you have the burden of proof in this case. 333 00:13:02,100 --> 00:13:03,467 - Right. - [Judge Acker] So my first question, 334 00:13:03,533 --> 00:13:04,967 you know, when I was looking at the evidence 335 00:13:05,033 --> 00:13:08,200 and looking at the facts of this case, I'm like, I see the ring. 336 00:13:08,266 --> 00:13:10,934 She could've gone to a jeweler down the street. 337 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,233 Why did you need to get it custom-made? 338 00:13:13,300 --> 00:13:17,433 I just wanted it to be as close to my mother's ring as I could get it. 339 00:13:17,500 --> 00:13:19,467 And like I said, another friend suggested to me 340 00:13:19,533 --> 00:13:21,333 and this guy gave me a deal on it, 341 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,066 - so I went there. - [Judge Acker] But you understand 342 00:13:23,133 --> 00:13:24,500 - where I'm going with this. - I do. 343 00:13:24,567 --> 00:13:26,533 So why should he pay that? 344 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,500 Well, he said he would. He didn't even question me on it. 345 00:13:28,567 --> 00:13:31,934 He didn't, but I believe as I understand the testimony, 346 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,967 Mr. Shearn said that he would replace it, he would handle it. 347 00:13:35,033 --> 00:13:37,333 - I don't think he gave you a blank check. - No, he didn't. 348 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,834 [Judge Acker] I mean, you've got to prove a number of things and again, 349 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:40,867 I don't have any evidence 350 00:13:40,934 --> 00:13:43,600 that this was a ring that your mother actually gave you. 351 00:13:43,667 --> 00:13:46,133 I don't have any evidence, as Judge Levy pointed out, 352 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,500 that you actually paid for this ring. 353 00:13:49,567 --> 00:13:51,600 In fact, given the record, 354 00:13:51,667 --> 00:13:53,467 you seem to have really vacillated 355 00:13:53,533 --> 00:13:56,100 in terms of how much the ring actually cost. 356 00:13:56,165 --> 00:13:59,033 I don't know the original value of the ring. 357 00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:02,800 So the ring may have been incredibly sentimental to you. 358 00:14:02,867 --> 00:14:06,233 But if your mother bought the ring for $25 and held on to it 359 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:09,934 because some paramour of hers had given it to her back in the day, 360 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,900 that doesn't make it a thousand dollar ring. 361 00:14:11,967 --> 00:14:13,166 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Acker] I get fault. 362 00:14:13,233 --> 00:14:15,567 He lost the ring. He says he lost the ring. 363 00:14:15,633 --> 00:14:16,767 But it's not the lottery. 364 00:14:16,834 --> 00:14:18,700 - You don't get to empty the bank. - [Renee] No, I understand that. 365 00:14:18,767 --> 00:14:21,633 But he didn't even tell me for a month and a half that he lost it. 366 00:14:21,700 --> 00:14:23,200 - He kept giving me excuses and all that. - [Judge Acker] And he said that. 367 00:14:23,266 --> 00:14:24,400 [Judge Acker] So you felt badly 368 00:14:24,467 --> 00:14:25,600 - about losing the ring? - Embarrassed. 369 00:14:25,667 --> 00:14:27,133 - [Judge Acker] You were embarrassed. - Beyond belief. 370 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,500 And it got to the point 371 00:14:28,567 --> 00:14:32,133 whenever I had to backtrack, where the heck it coulda gone, 372 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,734 and that's when we discovered that when I went to work, 373 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,533 my girlfriend went to do her errands and went to the carwash. 374 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,100 The guy reaches down and takes the tissue out... 375 00:14:42,165 --> 00:14:43,400 - There's no evidence of that either. - [Judge Acker] It--no, no, no, 376 00:14:43,467 --> 00:14:46,734 but it's not as if he sold the ring 377 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,367 - and then was trying to... - How do I know that? 378 00:14:48,433 --> 00:14:50,400 [Judge Acker] Well, wait, maybe he did, 379 00:14:50,467 --> 00:14:53,600 but fortunately for him, he's a defendant. 380 00:14:53,667 --> 00:14:55,165 You have the burden of proof. You're suing. 381 00:14:55,233 --> 00:14:57,500 It's your job to prove things. 382 00:14:57,567 --> 00:14:59,367 I mean, again, Byrd could lose my earring. 383 00:14:59,433 --> 00:15:02,967 I could go buy like a $20,000 pair of earrings 384 00:15:03,033 --> 00:15:05,033 and say, "Okay, I replaced them. Pay me." 385 00:15:05,567 --> 00:15:07,533 What would you say if I said that, Byrd? 386 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:09,600 [laughter] 387 00:15:10,500 --> 00:15:11,567 I don't have anything further. 388 00:15:11,633 --> 00:15:13,433 I'd like you to step up, sir. 389 00:15:14,567 --> 00:15:15,834 - Who are you? - Eric. 390 00:15:15,900 --> 00:15:16,934 [Jude DiMango] Eric. What is your last name? 391 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,000 Zittel. 392 00:15:18,066 --> 00:15:19,500 [Judge DiMango] And what is your relationship to anybody on... 393 00:15:19,567 --> 00:15:20,567 She's my fiancée. 394 00:15:20,633 --> 00:15:22,166 [Judge DiMango] And do you know the defendant as well? 395 00:15:22,233 --> 00:15:23,667 - [Eric] Yes. - [Judge DiMango] How long have you 396 00:15:23,734 --> 00:15:25,300 and the plaintiff been in a relationship? 397 00:15:25,367 --> 00:15:26,367 Two years. 398 00:15:26,433 --> 00:15:29,066 So you're familiar with the ring that she had before it was lost, right? 399 00:15:29,133 --> 00:15:30,633 - [Eric] Yes. - Is--this is it? 400 00:15:30,700 --> 00:15:32,033 - [Eric] Yes. - This is it? 401 00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:33,767 [Eric] No, that's not. That's the new one. 402 00:15:33,834 --> 00:15:35,266 - [Judge DiMango] This is what? - [Eric] It looks like it. 403 00:15:35,333 --> 00:15:37,033 - [Judge DiMango] Well, tell me. - I'm not sure if that's the ring 404 00:15:37,100 --> 00:15:38,333 she had or not. It just looks like it. 405 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:39,400 - It looks like the ring? - [Eric] Yeah. 406 00:15:39,467 --> 00:15:40,567 - Very much like it, right? - [Eric] Yes. 407 00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:44,767 You see, and this ring is only a hundred ninety-nine dollars. 408 00:15:44,834 --> 00:15:47,266 Okay. I never held her ring in my hands. It was always on her finger. 409 00:15:47,333 --> 00:15:49,433 So it's more sentimental value than anything. 410 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:51,367 You can never replace it. It was her mother's ring. 411 00:15:51,433 --> 00:15:53,100 I know as much as she's told you. 412 00:15:53,165 --> 00:15:55,300 It's true. You can't replace the sentimental value. 413 00:15:55,367 --> 00:15:56,934 But I appreciate you for your honesty. 414 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,433 - So you can be seated. - All right. Thank you. 415 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:00,834 [Judge DiMango] Ms. Dorks, you're wearing the ring, right? 416 00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:02,000 - [Renee] Yes. - Can I have it? 417 00:16:02,066 --> 00:16:03,233 [Renee] Uh-hmm. 418 00:16:03,300 --> 00:16:04,567 The judge will give it back to you. 419 00:16:04,633 --> 00:16:06,166 - She's not gonna lose it. - [laughter] 420 00:16:06,233 --> 00:16:08,166 - [Judge DiMango] Wait, wait, wait. - Well, that's good. 421 00:16:08,233 --> 00:16:10,467 - No, don't put it in a tissue. - [laughter] 422 00:16:10,533 --> 00:16:11,800 - That's how they started. - That's why I did it. 423 00:16:11,867 --> 00:16:13,300 - That's why I did it. - Putting it in a tissue. 424 00:16:13,367 --> 00:16:14,700 No, no, this is the tissue. 425 00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:16,133 Why do you think I did that, Byrd? 426 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:19,633 All right. So just for the record, this is what the ring looks like. 427 00:16:19,700 --> 00:16:20,834 [Ken] And also, you're right. 428 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:23,433 But the point you don't know if she paid a thousand dollars. 429 00:16:23,500 --> 00:16:25,433 - She says she did, but... - [Judge DiMango] We know--listen. 430 00:16:25,500 --> 00:16:26,734 - ... we're talking about retail. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. 431 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:28,367 Talking about retail so you're talking about probably... 432 00:16:28,433 --> 00:16:31,300 - Byrd, I'm gonna give you this to return. - ... $15 worth of material. 433 00:16:31,367 --> 00:16:34,100 You ask questions like we're not aware of things 434 00:16:34,165 --> 00:16:35,700 just because we're asking questions. 435 00:16:35,767 --> 00:16:38,967 And that's why you got to kind of chill out, calm down, and... 436 00:16:39,033 --> 00:16:41,133 Oh, I'm chill. I'm good. 437 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,500 - I don't have any other questions. - I do. 438 00:16:43,567 --> 00:16:48,165 So Ms. Dorks, when your mother passed and you got the ring from the will... 439 00:16:48,233 --> 00:16:50,400 - [Renee] Uh-hmm. - There are descriptions that are included 440 00:16:50,467 --> 00:16:55,400 in wills to indicate exactly what jewelry would go to you or your siblings, right? 441 00:16:55,467 --> 00:16:56,467 That's what happened. 442 00:16:56,533 --> 00:16:58,700 Yes, but I have no idea where to look for it. 443 00:16:58,767 --> 00:16:59,767 [Judge Levy] That's okay. 444 00:16:59,834 --> 00:17:02,967 But you understand that that's something that someone in your position 445 00:17:03,033 --> 00:17:04,666 looking for a thousand dollars 446 00:17:04,733 --> 00:17:05,967 - in a court case... - Uh-hmm. 447 00:17:06,032 --> 00:17:07,467 [Judge Levy] ... would be expected to bring. 448 00:17:07,532 --> 00:17:09,233 And I understand. You don't have it. 449 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:10,567 - I get that. - [Renee] Uh-hmm. 450 00:17:10,633 --> 00:17:14,633 Was there anything else specific that you recall about the ring 451 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:16,700 besides it being topaz and gold? 452 00:17:16,767 --> 00:17:18,967 Well, it had the diamonds similar to the ones that I have. 453 00:17:19,032 --> 00:17:21,633 Yeah, diamonds on it now. 454 00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:26,700 Diamonds, because that's, according to the receipt that you provided us, 455 00:17:26,767 --> 00:17:31,233 there were .31 karats of side stones 456 00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:34,166 that you got in this new replacement ring, 457 00:17:34,233 --> 00:17:38,834 because that's what you told the jeweler that you wanted in your new ring. 458 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:41,834 Well, that's what shows on the photo of the original ring. 459 00:17:41,900 --> 00:17:43,533 No, what it show--no, no, no, no, no. 460 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:47,600 We would need someone, an appraisal to come in and to tell us 461 00:17:47,667 --> 00:17:52,166 what looked to be pieces of glass were actually glass or diamonds. 462 00:17:52,233 --> 00:17:55,033 As the plaintiff, you're responsible to give that to us. 463 00:17:55,100 --> 00:17:57,233 - You did not. - Correct, I did not. 464 00:17:57,300 --> 00:17:59,233 - Do you have anything to add? - [Ken] I do, Your Honor. 465 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:00,633 Think about this. 466 00:18:00,700 --> 00:18:04,700 If it's an aquamarine or it's a topaz, okay? 467 00:18:04,767 --> 00:18:05,934 What are you putting diamonds in it for? 468 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,233 Yeah, why would you put high end diamonds that are... 469 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:09,433 - [Judge Levy] I get it. - Thank you. Period. 470 00:18:09,500 --> 00:18:10,734 [Judge Levy] Okay. I got nothing further. 471 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,500 Then we are going to retire to deliberate at this time. 472 00:18:13,567 --> 00:18:14,700 - Thank you all. - Okay. Thank you. 473 00:18:14,767 --> 00:18:16,333 [Byrd] Court now stands in recess. 474 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,934 This case will be recalled. Parties are excused. 475 00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:23,100 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 476 00:18:23,166 --> 00:18:24,166 [Judge DiMango] That's Byrd's thing. 477 00:18:24,233 --> 00:18:25,800 You know, you don't turn around and do that. 478 00:18:25,867 --> 00:18:27,633 [Ken] He's from Brooklyn, my man over there. 479 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:29,467 - Same as me. - You're from Brooklyn? 480 00:18:29,533 --> 00:18:30,767 Let's do the desert for a weekend. 481 00:18:30,834 --> 00:18:32,600 - Oh, my God. - [laughter] 482 00:18:33,767 --> 00:18:36,767 - [Judge Levy] I wanna change my verdict. - [laughter] 483 00:18:40,667 --> 00:18:41,967 [dramatic musical sting] 484 00:18:42,033 --> 00:18:44,033 When I was looking through the case, I kept saying, 485 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:46,767 how is she going to demonstrate to us, 486 00:18:46,834 --> 00:18:49,367 first, the value of the ring that she received 487 00:18:49,433 --> 00:18:53,633 and as to whether or not the replacement value was reasonable 488 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:57,367 and/or that she had to replace it at that cost? 489 00:18:57,433 --> 00:19:00,233 And did she replace it at that price and pay for it? 490 00:19:00,300 --> 00:19:01,700 I had no way of knowing this. 491 00:19:01,767 --> 00:19:03,000 And I kept saying it's sad. 492 00:19:03,066 --> 00:19:06,900 I really doubted that a mother would give a woman her age 493 00:19:06,967 --> 00:19:09,100 a piece of junk jewelry to say, here. 494 00:19:09,166 --> 00:19:12,133 But he didn't dispute the fact that the mother gave her the ring. 495 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,900 And it's a bailment, of course, it was a mutually beneficial bailment. 496 00:19:15,967 --> 00:19:20,133 But what is the value of the ring that we are replacing? 497 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,300 Was it gold? Was it not gold? 498 00:19:22,367 --> 00:19:24,600 Was it blue topaz? Was it aquamarine? 499 00:19:25,166 --> 00:19:27,233 Like you pointed out. Well, I have a special one made. 500 00:19:27,300 --> 00:19:28,633 There are millions of these online. 501 00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:30,900 I just looked and I looked at what he showed. 502 00:19:30,967 --> 00:19:32,567 So let me hear from you. 503 00:19:33,033 --> 00:19:34,967 She got the burden of proof. 504 00:19:35,033 --> 00:19:39,300 She told the small claims court that the ring cost $1,200 505 00:19:39,367 --> 00:19:43,967 at a time where she knew that she had a receipt that said a thousand dollars. 506 00:19:44,033 --> 00:19:46,633 She specifically said it was blue topaz... 507 00:19:46,700 --> 00:19:48,367 - [Judge DiMango] Uh-hmm. - ... in the prior filing. 508 00:19:48,433 --> 00:19:50,200 To us, when she's called on it, 509 00:19:50,266 --> 00:19:52,800 she says, "Oh, I was mistaken. I didn't understand." 510 00:19:53,300 --> 00:19:56,900 She also told the court in that prior small claims action 511 00:19:56,967 --> 00:19:59,233 that he took the ring without my consent. 512 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:00,433 So bring him up on theft. 513 00:20:00,500 --> 00:20:03,200 Which is clearly not even close to what happened 514 00:20:03,266 --> 00:20:05,266 and she figured she had him over the barrel. 515 00:20:05,333 --> 00:20:07,367 - He was gonna have to give her something. - Right. 516 00:20:07,433 --> 00:20:10,166 Why not just make it the best something possible. 517 00:20:10,233 --> 00:20:15,033 And then her failure to provide us with any evidence of her payment, 518 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:17,533 that receipt doesn't even say paid. 519 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:19,033 It could have just been an order. 520 00:20:19,100 --> 00:20:22,200 So, um, I wanna give her nothing or $200. 521 00:20:22,266 --> 00:20:23,266 That's my point. 522 00:20:23,333 --> 00:20:24,500 We know she had a ring. 523 00:20:24,567 --> 00:20:26,367 We know she doesn't have it now. 524 00:20:26,433 --> 00:20:29,567 And we know that he had it and he did not return it. 525 00:20:29,633 --> 00:20:31,967 - So I agree with placing a nominal value. - And the only... 526 00:20:32,033 --> 00:20:34,100 We have to. We have to 'cause it's a bailment. 527 00:20:34,166 --> 00:20:38,300 And it's based on, frankly, his evidence because he brought in... 528 00:20:38,367 --> 00:20:39,767 - [Judge DiMango] The rings. - ... so many examples 529 00:20:39,834 --> 00:20:41,433 of comparable rings, 530 00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:45,166 so based on his evidence, I would award her no more than $200. 531 00:20:45,233 --> 00:20:47,800 [Judge DiMango] And that was why I picked out of all the rings that he showed us 532 00:20:47,867 --> 00:20:50,567 an 18-karat gold-plated ring 533 00:20:50,633 --> 00:20:55,066 with blue topaz/aquamarine was 199.99. 534 00:20:55,133 --> 00:20:57,233 But for that, I give her nothing. 535 00:20:57,300 --> 00:21:00,433 And I'm almost still inclined to, even though it's a bailment I won't, 536 00:21:00,500 --> 00:21:04,100 because I think it's insidious to suggest that this man was a thief. 537 00:21:04,166 --> 00:21:05,967 - You know, she makes it sound like he... - Yeah, he stole it. 538 00:21:06,033 --> 00:21:08,767 ... ripped the ring off of her hand and then absconded with it. 539 00:21:08,834 --> 00:21:10,033 - I put... - I mean, that's a silly story. 540 00:21:10,100 --> 00:21:11,367 - And for that... - Just 'cause he's from Jersey. 541 00:21:11,433 --> 00:21:13,834 - Yeah, just 'cause he's from Jersey. - And for that reason, 542 00:21:13,900 --> 00:21:17,266 she wasn't credible to the other $800 that she was asking for. 543 00:21:17,333 --> 00:21:19,500 She was only credible to $200. 544 00:21:19,567 --> 00:21:20,600 - I agree with that. - [Judge DiMango] All right. 545 00:21:20,667 --> 00:21:23,233 - We're unanimous? - We're done. We're unanimous verdict. 546 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:26,700 [dramatic musical sting] 547 00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:27,967 [Byrd] Court is back in session. 548 00:21:28,033 --> 00:21:30,033 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 549 00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:31,567 - Thank you, Byrd. - Uh-hmm. 550 00:21:31,633 --> 00:21:33,767 - Mr. Shearn, I was playing... - [Ken] Your Honor. 551 00:21:33,834 --> 00:21:36,033 ... with you a little because you make good TV. 552 00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:37,367 You're an interesting character. 553 00:21:37,433 --> 00:21:39,700 Come on out to the desert, I'll take care of you. I'll cover you. 554 00:21:39,767 --> 00:21:41,433 - You can't even cover the ring. - [laughter] 555 00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:43,633 [Ken] Oh, that's what--oh, wait a minute. 556 00:21:43,700 --> 00:21:45,533 - [Renee] Oh, thank you. - I can--that's good. 557 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:46,633 - That's good. - That was good. 558 00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:48,667 No, I can cover it, but I... 559 00:21:48,734 --> 00:21:50,266 - But you don't want to. - [Ken] But I'm not--yeah. 560 00:21:50,333 --> 00:21:52,433 - That's pretty good. Yeah. - [Judge DiMango] I don't foresee myself 561 00:21:52,500 --> 00:21:54,467 traveling to the desert with you, not for any reason. 562 00:21:54,533 --> 00:21:55,533 [Ken] I just--Your Honor... 563 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:57,900 Um, other than, you know, the professional relationship 564 00:21:57,967 --> 00:21:59,033 we now all have here. 565 00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:01,734 You have a burden of proof. 566 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:05,533 You need to show by a preponderance of the credible evidence 567 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:08,300 - that your position should prevail. - [Renee] Right. 568 00:22:08,367 --> 00:22:09,867 And you really didn't. 569 00:22:09,934 --> 00:22:11,567 - No, I did not. - [Judge DiMango] But we do know 570 00:22:11,633 --> 00:22:15,367 a couple of things with a little bit of help from our Jersey friend. 571 00:22:15,433 --> 00:22:20,700 And that is, one, you did have a ring, two, that there was a stone in it. 572 00:22:20,767 --> 00:22:23,567 And you showed us some photographs. 573 00:22:23,633 --> 00:22:27,300 So it's some pictures of rings that look very, very similar 574 00:22:27,367 --> 00:22:30,500 to the one that she handed me up here at the bench. 575 00:22:30,567 --> 00:22:34,367 And the value of one ring that looked identical to that, 576 00:22:34,433 --> 00:22:36,433 which was the one I showed the three of you... 577 00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:40,533 - Uh-hmm. - ... was valued at $199.99. 578 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:41,600 Retail. 579 00:22:41,667 --> 00:22:42,734 [Judge DiMango] But we don't have your connections. 580 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:43,800 - I could--I could hook you up. 581 00:22:43,867 --> 00:22:44,867 [Judge DiMango] So we're gonna give her the value... 582 00:22:44,934 --> 00:22:45,934 I could hook you up. 583 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,867 - No. That's what we're afraid of. - [laughter] 584 00:22:52,633 --> 00:22:53,967 That's Byrd's thing. 585 00:22:54,033 --> 00:22:55,734 You know, you don't turn around and do that. 586 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,500 He's from Brooklyn, my man over there. 587 00:22:57,567 --> 00:22:59,400 [Judge DiMango] I know. Same as me. 588 00:22:59,467 --> 00:23:00,533 You're from Brooklyn? 589 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:02,133 - Oh, you know, ignore these. - Oh, my gosh. 590 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:04,033 You know, let's do the desert for a weekend. 591 00:23:04,100 --> 00:23:06,767 - Oh, my God. - [laughter] 592 00:23:06,834 --> 00:23:08,300 I wanna change my verdict. 593 00:23:08,367 --> 00:23:09,767 [laughter] 594 00:23:10,633 --> 00:23:12,166 What? You wanna go instead? 595 00:23:13,834 --> 00:23:14,834 Who knows? 596 00:23:14,900 --> 00:23:15,900 [Ken] I'll tell you, this guy. 597 00:23:15,967 --> 00:23:18,000 - [indistinct] for you. - [Judge DiMango] Uh, okay. 598 00:23:18,066 --> 00:23:19,900 The side skits are over. 599 00:23:19,967 --> 00:23:22,433 We agree, however, that because of those factors, 600 00:23:22,500 --> 00:23:26,767 that we have actual proof by a preponderance of the evidence and beyond, 601 00:23:26,834 --> 00:23:28,633 we're going to award you $200. 602 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:30,367 And that is the unanimous verdict of this court. 603 00:23:30,433 --> 00:23:32,133 - Okay. I appreciate it. - So, okay. 604 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:34,000 - [Renee] Thank you. Thank you. - That's the judgment. 605 00:23:34,066 --> 00:23:36,033 [Byrd] This case is now concluded. 606 00:23:36,166 --> 00:23:38,133 Parties are excused. You may step out. 607 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,367 [theme music plays] 608 00:23:41,433 --> 00:23:44,033 I just felt like I wanted him to understand 609 00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:45,667 that you can't treat people like that. 610 00:23:45,734 --> 00:23:47,567 They gave her 200 bucks. The ring's worth two. 611 00:23:47,633 --> 00:23:51,166 And I just don't feel like somebody who couldn't keep their word 612 00:23:51,233 --> 00:23:54,300 to what they said they would do is worth being a friend of mine. 613 00:23:54,367 --> 00:23:56,066 I don't keep toxic people in my life. 614 00:23:56,133 --> 00:23:59,500 You know, she gives me nude massages, but those are gone now. 615 00:23:59,567 --> 00:24:00,900 I lost that privilege. 616 00:24:00,967 --> 00:24:02,367 He called her and upset her. 617 00:24:02,433 --> 00:24:04,967 And she was crying so I called him back on the phone, "Hey, pay her money," 618 00:24:05,033 --> 00:24:07,200 and he threatened me and I said, "Bring it," and he never brought it, so... 619 00:24:07,266 --> 00:24:09,033 Oh, that little punk. Are you kidding me? 620 00:24:09,100 --> 00:24:10,300 I'd snap his ass in half. 621 00:24:10,367 --> 00:24:13,133 [laughs] All talk. 622 00:24:13,567 --> 00:24:15,567 [announcer] Did someone break an agreement? 623 00:24:15,633 --> 00:24:18,900 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 624 00:24:18,967 --> 00:24:21,600 Find us on social media. 625 00:24:21,667 --> 00:24:24,767 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]