1 00:00:06,033 --> 00:00:09,734 You are somebody who deserves to be treated with kindness. 2 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,300 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 3 00:00:12,367 --> 00:00:14,734 We was never in a committed relationship. 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:16,734 We were still sleeping together and everything, 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,500 like, on a regular basis. 6 00:00:18,567 --> 00:00:20,834 You are not a priority in his life, 7 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:22,700 and you can't get that through your head. 8 00:00:22,767 --> 00:00:24,266 Like, he's trying to embarrass me. 9 00:00:24,333 --> 00:00:26,467 You need to make better relationship choices. 10 00:00:26,533 --> 00:00:29,400 - Hold on, hold on. - Block his number and forget this. 11 00:00:29,467 --> 00:00:30,400 Move on. 12 00:00:31,633 --> 00:00:35,000 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 13 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,967 [announcer] Today's case was filed at Clayton, Missouri. 14 00:00:56,900 --> 00:01:01,633 Your Honor, this is case number 2054 Strozier versus Hall. 15 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:03,433 All parties have been sworn in. 16 00:01:03,500 --> 00:01:05,734 - [Judge DiMango] Thank you. - [Cassandra] You may be seated. 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,133 [Judge DiMango] Okay. Mr. Strozier, Ms. Hall, 18 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,233 you say you've been friends for 12 years. 19 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:11,934 You say you had, at one point, 20 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,867 been boyfriend and girlfriend for seven years. 21 00:01:13,934 --> 00:01:15,400 - So there's a little bit of confusion... - Yeah. 22 00:01:15,467 --> 00:01:17,300 [Judge DiMango] ... about use of terms here, I think. 23 00:01:17,367 --> 00:01:19,433 You claim that her car needed brakes. 24 00:01:19,500 --> 00:01:21,767 She asked you for money, promised she'd repay you. 25 00:01:21,834 --> 00:01:25,900 She still owes you, according to your papers, $850. 26 00:01:25,967 --> 00:01:29,133 But you claim that because of her attitude throughout this whole thing, 27 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,834 accusing you of your relationship problems with a new girlfriend, et cetera, 28 00:01:32,900 --> 00:01:36,667 that you want double damages here because she did it maliciously. 29 00:01:36,734 --> 00:01:39,333 - And so you're saying you want 1,600. - [Stacy] Yeah. 30 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:41,800 But you say is that because of the relationship you had, 31 00:01:41,866 --> 00:01:44,066 you gave him money plenty of times, 32 00:01:44,133 --> 00:01:46,300 that he lied to you about having a girlfriend, 33 00:01:46,366 --> 00:01:48,333 and that while he was in jail, 34 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,734 you put out a lot of money towards his phone calls 35 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:53,467 - and necessities. - Uh-hmm. 36 00:01:53,533 --> 00:01:56,200 So, you're just gonna reimburse yourself the money 37 00:01:56,265 --> 00:01:58,265 - and you're not paying him anything back. - Yeah. 38 00:01:58,333 --> 00:02:02,200 [Judge DiMango] So let me start with you, because you asked for 850, 39 00:02:02,266 --> 00:02:05,600 then you say you're gonna double it and make 1,600. 40 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:08,433 So that means right off the bat that it's only 800, 41 00:02:08,500 --> 00:02:11,032 because 1,700 would be twice the amount. 42 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:14,000 And then we have a text which I'd like to put up on the wall, 43 00:02:14,066 --> 00:02:18,734 which says, "You broke our agreement over and over, 44 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:22,200 and you still owe me $700." 45 00:02:22,266 --> 00:02:23,700 [Stacy] That was the wrong amount. 46 00:02:23,767 --> 00:02:26,166 [Judge DiMango] There's three wrong amounts here. That's my point. 47 00:02:26,233 --> 00:02:27,400 [Stacy] Well, can I clarify a few things? 48 00:02:27,466 --> 00:02:29,000 - 'Cause we just said a lot... - We're gonna start. 49 00:02:29,066 --> 00:02:30,066 - Okay. - [Judge DiMango] We're gonna start. 50 00:02:30,133 --> 00:02:32,000 But right off the bat, I just wanna see that. 51 00:02:32,066 --> 00:02:34,966 First off, you knew each other for 12 years, right? 52 00:02:35,033 --> 00:02:37,367 Were you boyfriend-girlfriend during any of that time? 53 00:02:37,433 --> 00:02:38,834 We had that type of relationship, 54 00:02:38,900 --> 00:02:41,400 but we was never in a monogamous, committed relationship. 55 00:02:41,466 --> 00:02:42,834 She had other people she dealt with. 56 00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:44,066 I had other people I dealt with. 57 00:02:44,133 --> 00:02:45,233 So she was kind of like my girl 58 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:47,533 but we was never in a committed relationship. 59 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:49,667 And during that time, those 12 years, 60 00:02:49,734 --> 00:02:51,900 did you indeed spend four years incarcerated? 61 00:02:51,966 --> 00:02:54,466 - I did. - And during those four years, 62 00:02:54,533 --> 00:02:57,500 I'm gonna guess you weren't seeing other people. 63 00:02:57,567 --> 00:02:59,533 - No, I was not. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 64 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,600 He--well, you're saying while he was in jail, 65 00:03:01,667 --> 00:03:02,667 he was still seeing other people? 66 00:03:02,734 --> 00:03:04,066 He was still talking other people, yes, he was. 67 00:03:04,133 --> 00:03:05,934 That's all me and her was doing was talking. 68 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,500 [Judge DiMango] Okay. When you came out two weeks later, 69 00:03:09,567 --> 00:03:11,767 you were willing to help her get her brakes fixed 70 00:03:11,834 --> 00:03:13,500 by lending her the money. Is that correct? 71 00:03:13,567 --> 00:03:15,667 On the condition she pay me back her first paycheck. 72 00:03:15,734 --> 00:03:17,300 [Judge DiMango] That's correct. That's what you say here. 73 00:03:17,367 --> 00:03:19,500 And I don't think she disputes that, originally, 74 00:03:19,567 --> 00:03:21,700 she was going to pay you back, correct or not? 75 00:03:21,767 --> 00:03:23,900 - Um, originally. Yeah. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 76 00:03:23,966 --> 00:03:27,500 So, she gives you $50 back at some point, doesn't she? 77 00:03:27,567 --> 00:03:28,567 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge DiMango] Okay. 78 00:03:28,633 --> 00:03:31,233 That's why she doesn't owe you 850. She only owes you 800. 79 00:03:31,300 --> 00:03:33,066 Now, you're down to $800. 80 00:03:33,133 --> 00:03:37,533 And she tells you that she's gonna pay you out of her paycheck. 81 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:41,333 But the bottom line is she can't, because she's not working at some point. 82 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,200 - No, that's--no, that's incorrect. - [Judge DiMango] Is that correct? 83 00:03:43,266 --> 00:03:45,000 - You did lose your job, correct? - [Candace] I did. 84 00:03:45,066 --> 00:03:46,133 - [Stacy] Like, a month and a half later. - You lost your job when? 85 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,900 - No. I lost it literally two weeks later. - [Judge DiMango] You did? 86 00:03:48,966 --> 00:03:49,966 - Uh-hmm. - Because I could see in there 87 00:03:50,033 --> 00:03:51,500 that there's a letter from your employer... 88 00:03:51,567 --> 00:03:53,867 - [Candace] Uh-hmm. Uh-hmm. - ... which says that you lost your job 89 00:03:53,934 --> 00:03:56,767 - on, I think, the 6th of September. - Yeah. Uh-hmm. 90 00:03:56,834 --> 00:03:59,400 And you were given a final paycheck on the 15th of September. 91 00:03:59,466 --> 00:04:00,633 Uh-hmm. Yup. 92 00:04:00,700 --> 00:04:02,667 [Judge DiMango] We have documents. So it's not just her word. 93 00:04:02,734 --> 00:04:04,867 We actually have evidence in our file. 94 00:04:04,934 --> 00:04:06,900 Well, two weeks was more enough time for her to give me back my... 95 00:04:06,967 --> 00:04:09,500 [Judge DiMango] Nobody's saying that she didn't, but we're saying that... 96 00:04:09,567 --> 00:04:11,200 And she start working full-time right after that. 97 00:04:11,266 --> 00:04:12,734 And she told me and she was, like, "I'mma pay you this, 98 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,200 this on this day, and that day." 99 00:04:14,266 --> 00:04:15,266 She never paid me nothing. 100 00:04:15,333 --> 00:04:16,500 Yes, she did say that. 101 00:04:16,567 --> 00:04:18,767 And we have evidence of that in the text messages 102 00:04:18,834 --> 00:04:20,632 and the exchanges that you both had, 103 00:04:20,700 --> 00:04:23,332 that she continued to wanna pay you, but did not. 104 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:24,500 And you kept asking her. 105 00:04:24,567 --> 00:04:26,934 And I note that in some of the text messages, 106 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,967 - you were really very nice about it. - [Candace] Uh-hmm. 107 00:04:29,033 --> 00:04:30,033 [Judge DiMango] You say, here, 108 00:04:30,100 --> 00:04:33,300 "You can pay me 300, 200, if that's easier. 109 00:04:33,367 --> 00:04:37,633 You looked me in the eyes and swore you would have the 800 back on payday. 110 00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:39,933 You even told me you make 900 a week. 111 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,266 Now, don't get frustrated with me because I'm the one who helped you out." 112 00:04:43,332 --> 00:04:48,233 But she claims that you did some things that made her not willing to pay you back. 113 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:50,332 What happened here? What was the problem? 114 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:54,233 The drama that happened later with his girlfriend 115 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:56,800 is why I was, like, "Well, I'mma take my time 116 00:04:56,867 --> 00:04:59,734 because with rent, my child." 117 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,166 So I'm not gonna put to him as, like, the first, like, priority 118 00:05:03,233 --> 00:05:05,400 when his girlfriend's harassing me, 119 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:07,233 - threatening to be beat me up. - [Stacy] Harassing. 120 00:05:07,300 --> 00:05:08,533 - [Judge DiMango shushing] - [Judge Acker] Listen. 121 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:09,600 I apologize. 122 00:05:09,667 --> 00:05:11,834 [Candace chuckles] And also, can I touch on the fact 123 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:14,633 that he said that I wasn't his girlfriend when he was in jail? 124 00:05:14,700 --> 00:05:16,233 That's really what you wanna do here. 125 00:05:16,300 --> 00:05:17,667 - You really wanna settle... - [Candace] I just... 126 00:05:17,734 --> 00:05:19,166 ... this boyfriend-girlfriend thing. 127 00:05:19,233 --> 00:05:20,667 - But let me ask you this. - Okay. 128 00:05:20,734 --> 00:05:21,900 [Judge DiMango] You hear what you just said to me? 129 00:05:21,967 --> 00:05:25,400 "I wanna settle the fact that I wasn't his girlfriend while he was in jail." 130 00:05:25,467 --> 00:05:26,767 - I mean, you're arguing... - [Candace] I'm not proud to say it. 131 00:05:26,834 --> 00:05:28,633 - ... over a relationship with a guy... - Yeah. 132 00:05:28,700 --> 00:05:30,500 ... who's behind bars. 133 00:05:30,567 --> 00:05:32,467 It's not a flex. No, it's not. 134 00:05:32,533 --> 00:05:33,767 It's not what? 135 00:05:33,834 --> 00:05:36,066 It's not a flex. Absolutely not. 136 00:05:36,133 --> 00:05:37,266 - [Judge Acker] It's not a flex. - Nothing to brag about. 137 00:05:37,332 --> 00:05:38,400 - [Judge DiMango] A flex? - Nothing to brag about. 138 00:05:38,467 --> 00:05:39,600 - Her--yeah. Yeah. - A thing--yeah. 139 00:05:39,667 --> 00:05:42,033 - Oh, okay. - Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 140 00:05:42,100 --> 00:05:43,233 [Stacy] I'm trying to... 141 00:05:43,300 --> 00:05:44,300 - Well, the thing is... - [Judge DiMango] Continue. 142 00:05:44,367 --> 00:05:46,700 ... I wanna expand on how much I've done for this man, 143 00:05:46,767 --> 00:05:51,400 because for him to demand like the way he's demanding me, 144 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:53,633 the fact that I was going to visits, but I'm not his girlfriend. 145 00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:54,834 I'm just on the phone. 146 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:57,667 That I'm riding with his mom, two-hour or three-hour ways to go visit him. 147 00:05:57,734 --> 00:05:59,800 I'm gonna let her do this, 'cause she has to get it out. 148 00:05:59,867 --> 00:06:01,667 [Candace] Uh, but putting money on his books, 149 00:06:01,734 --> 00:06:03,300 taking my little paychecks, and being, like, "Okay. 150 00:06:03,367 --> 00:06:04,367 I'mma put this on the phone, put this on his books." 151 00:06:04,433 --> 00:06:05,734 [Judge DiMango] Can I say something to you? 152 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:06,800 Uh-hmm. 153 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:09,300 You were not a priority in his life... 154 00:06:09,367 --> 00:06:10,367 - [Candace] That wasn't... - ... and you can't get that 155 00:06:10,433 --> 00:06:11,533 through your head. 156 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,233 Well, I just think, like, if I look back on our history, 157 00:06:14,300 --> 00:06:15,600 even when he got out, 158 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:17,300 like, he would still borrow money here and there. 159 00:06:17,367 --> 00:06:19,967 And, like, I would be, like, "All right. Here you go." 160 00:06:20,033 --> 00:06:21,033 - And then, like... - [Stacy] That's... 161 00:06:21,100 --> 00:06:22,433 [Judge DiMango] So your defense is, 162 00:06:22,500 --> 00:06:25,100 "He wasn't nice to me, and I'm not paying him back. 163 00:06:25,166 --> 00:06:28,567 He didn't treat me in a way I think I should be treated in a relationship." 164 00:06:28,633 --> 00:06:30,633 Because you're talking about using terms loosely 165 00:06:30,700 --> 00:06:32,066 - when you borrowed money. - [Candace] Uh-hmm. Uh-hmm. 166 00:06:32,133 --> 00:06:34,000 - Borrow money. We use that term loosely. - Uh-hmm. 167 00:06:34,066 --> 00:06:36,133 [Judge DiMango] If you're using it loosely, what does it mean? 168 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:38,133 Just like when you can, I guess. 169 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:39,467 [Judge DiMango] But you're paying it back? 170 00:06:39,533 --> 00:06:40,533 - [Candace] Sometimes. - Because there's a lot of words 171 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,000 that you use loosely. 172 00:06:42,066 --> 00:06:45,266 You say loosely when he said, "I needed time to be" 173 00:06:45,332 --> 00:06:48,367 --that was very funny, by the way, Mr. Strozier. 174 00:06:48,433 --> 00:06:50,100 "I needed time to be alone." 175 00:06:50,166 --> 00:06:51,600 You know what that really meant? 176 00:06:51,667 --> 00:06:53,467 - Another woman. Uh-hmm. - [Judge DiMango] Yes! 177 00:06:55,066 --> 00:06:57,400 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 178 00:06:57,467 --> 00:06:58,467 He was mean. 179 00:06:58,533 --> 00:07:00,233 He went out of his way 180 00:07:00,300 --> 00:07:03,200 to try to hurt your feelings as much as he could. 181 00:07:03,266 --> 00:07:05,533 So, why don't you describe that incident? 182 00:07:06,533 --> 00:07:07,867 [dramatic musical sting] 183 00:07:09,900 --> 00:07:11,667 [theme music plays] 184 00:07:11,734 --> 00:07:14,800 [announcer] Stacy Strozier is suing former friend Candace Hall 185 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:18,367 for a $1,600 loan she used to fix her car, 186 00:07:18,433 --> 00:07:19,800 but failed to repay. 187 00:07:19,867 --> 00:07:23,767 Candace claims Stacy humiliated her by dating other women, 188 00:07:23,834 --> 00:07:28,233 and that they're even for all the money she's given him in the past. 189 00:07:28,300 --> 00:07:33,266 You borrowed $850 to have brakes put on your vehicle 190 00:07:33,332 --> 00:07:34,600 and you promised to repay him. 191 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:37,200 Now, as for you and the double damages, 192 00:07:37,266 --> 00:07:39,332 I think if anybody wanted double damages 193 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,533 for being wronged in this, she would be the one. 194 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:43,867 Nah, that's a crazy way to work that... 195 00:07:43,933 --> 00:07:45,033 [Judge DiMango] Why do you want double damages? 196 00:07:45,100 --> 00:07:46,800 - What did she do? - Because she intentionally-- 197 00:07:46,867 --> 00:07:47,867 she could've paid me my money back. 198 00:07:47,933 --> 00:07:50,667 She pretended like she couldn't pay me my money back. 199 00:07:50,734 --> 00:07:53,533 She chose not to on purpose 'cause she was mad about another female. 200 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:54,867 That's the definition of malicious. 201 00:07:54,933 --> 00:07:55,933 You mad at me. 202 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,100 So now, you're trying to say, "Forget your money." 203 00:07:58,166 --> 00:08:00,900 But everybody in this courtroom is here 204 00:08:00,967 --> 00:08:03,633 because somebody on the other side of the table 205 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:06,166 is not doing what they promised they would do, 206 00:08:06,233 --> 00:08:09,266 whether they forgot, whether they can't stand the person again, 207 00:08:09,333 --> 00:08:10,800 they're all doing it for that reason. 208 00:08:10,867 --> 00:08:13,500 It does not warrant double damages. 209 00:08:13,567 --> 00:08:15,467 And she mad, so she-- because she mad, she's saying, 210 00:08:15,533 --> 00:08:16,633 "I'm not gonna pay your money." 211 00:08:16,700 --> 00:08:18,500 That's the definition of malicious. 212 00:08:18,567 --> 00:08:20,734 [Judge DiMango] It's the definition of a breach of contract. 213 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,567 That's all you need to do in here, is establish that. 214 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,200 Did you ever hear the expression a woman scorned? 215 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,166 - Well, you're looking... - [Candace] Uh-hmm. 216 00:08:29,233 --> 00:08:30,700 ... at a woman scorned, 217 00:08:30,767 --> 00:08:33,933 and you should be looking at a better relationship. 218 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:35,000 Judge Levy? 219 00:08:35,667 --> 00:08:36,700 [Judge Levy] So, Ms. Hall, 220 00:08:36,767 --> 00:08:40,467 when you discussed with the plaintiff 221 00:08:40,533 --> 00:08:42,900 - your need to borrow this money... - Uh-hmm. 222 00:08:42,967 --> 00:08:45,000 [Judge Levy] ... so that you can put brakes on the car, 223 00:08:45,066 --> 00:08:48,767 you remember him telling you that he would loan you the money 224 00:08:48,834 --> 00:08:50,500 and that you would pay him back on payday? 225 00:08:50,567 --> 00:08:51,567 Yeah. 226 00:08:51,633 --> 00:08:52,767 [Judge Levy] 'Cause you were working at the time. 227 00:08:52,834 --> 00:08:53,867 I was. 228 00:08:53,934 --> 00:08:56,633 And when that payday came, you didn't pay him back. 229 00:08:56,700 --> 00:08:57,700 [Candace] Exactly. 230 00:08:57,767 --> 00:08:59,233 [Judge Levy] In the State of Missouri, 231 00:08:59,300 --> 00:09:01,100 loan agreements have to be in writing. 232 00:09:01,166 --> 00:09:02,166 Uh-hmm. 233 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:04,266 [Judge Levy] This wasn't in writing, right? 234 00:09:04,333 --> 00:09:05,800 We didn't write it out ahead of time. 235 00:09:05,867 --> 00:09:07,767 Right. And in Missouri, 236 00:09:07,834 --> 00:09:11,300 they have to be in writing to avoid people saying, 237 00:09:11,367 --> 00:09:12,967 "No, I said this, I said that. 238 00:09:13,033 --> 00:09:14,800 I didn't say this, I didn't say that." 239 00:09:14,867 --> 00:09:15,867 It has to be definitive. 240 00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:17,900 There has to be a definitive payment plan. 241 00:09:17,967 --> 00:09:22,400 And there was none, which would mean, Mr. Plaintiff, that you would lose. 242 00:09:23,033 --> 00:09:27,700 The exception is where there is no issue, whatsoever, 243 00:09:27,767 --> 00:09:30,133 as to the terms and conditions of the loan. 244 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,300 You just said there weren't. So I have nothing further. 245 00:09:33,300 --> 00:09:34,800 [Judge Acker] Let's see if I can throw you a lifeline. 246 00:09:34,867 --> 00:09:35,867 Okay. 247 00:09:35,934 --> 00:09:37,734 - [Judge Acker] In your answer... - Uh-hmm. 248 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,000 ... you suggest that there was an incident... 249 00:09:40,066 --> 00:09:41,900 - [Candace] Uh-hmm. - ... that was really horrible to you, 250 00:09:41,967 --> 00:09:44,533 - where he was himself malicious. - Uh-hmm. 251 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,500 You were alleging some type of harassment 252 00:09:47,567 --> 00:09:50,433 - that would offset any obligation... - Uh-hmm. 253 00:09:50,500 --> 00:09:52,500 [Judge Acker] ... that you have toward him. 254 00:09:52,567 --> 00:09:53,934 - Am I right about that? - Right. Uh-hmm. 255 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:55,567 [Judge Acker] Describe that incident for me. 256 00:09:55,633 --> 00:09:59,165 Um, we were talking about him wanting the money back. 257 00:09:59,233 --> 00:10:02,533 Basically, I was, like, "Well, I'm only working part-time right now 258 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,800 because I lost my full-time job. 259 00:10:03,867 --> 00:10:06,433 I was working two. So I was-- still had the part-time one. 260 00:10:06,500 --> 00:10:08,934 I was behind on rent." Um... 261 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:13,200 [Judge Acker] Take your time. 262 00:10:13,266 --> 00:10:15,200 And listen, I'm gonna just say something to you. 263 00:10:15,266 --> 00:10:17,300 You are a stunning young woman. 264 00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:19,734 I am sure you have great things ahead of you. 265 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,700 You should not be crying over some man who acts like this, 266 00:10:22,767 --> 00:10:25,433 who you have to help out when he was in jail. 267 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:28,567 You deserve way more than this and you deserve way more 268 00:10:28,633 --> 00:10:31,567 than being treated the way you were treated by somebody like that. 269 00:10:31,633 --> 00:10:34,233 And, sir, I'm not casting aspersions because of your record. 270 00:10:34,300 --> 00:10:35,867 People make mistakes. 271 00:10:35,934 --> 00:10:37,200 I'm not judging you for that. 272 00:10:37,266 --> 00:10:38,567 I'm judging you for how you treated her. 273 00:10:38,633 --> 00:10:40,433 You don't need to make her feel like this. 274 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:41,934 So, pull yourself together, 275 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:46,266 because this is not simply an issue of you being scorned or rejected by him. 276 00:10:46,333 --> 00:10:47,333 He was mean. 277 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:48,934 He went out of his way 278 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,000 to try to hurt your feelings as much as he could. 279 00:10:52,066 --> 00:10:54,367 So, why don't you describe that incident? 280 00:10:55,934 --> 00:10:57,567 Basically, we were talking on the phone 281 00:10:57,633 --> 00:11:01,834 and, um, I was, like-- well, the way we were moving, 282 00:11:01,900 --> 00:11:05,333 because he had been over my house, like, he had a key to my house. 283 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:08,367 He had been over there, like, on a regular basis. 284 00:11:08,433 --> 00:11:11,133 We were still sleeping together and everything. 285 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,433 And he made it seem like I was delusional for thinking that we were, like, 286 00:11:14,500 --> 00:11:16,467 about to get back together or something like that, like... 287 00:11:16,533 --> 00:11:18,867 - After you're being intimate with him... - [Candace] Uh-hmm. 288 00:11:18,934 --> 00:11:21,200 ... but he's treating you as if you're nuts, 289 00:11:21,266 --> 00:11:22,266 - because you're assuming... - Yeah. 290 00:11:22,333 --> 00:11:23,800 - ... that why would you sleep... - He's like, "Why would you think that?" 291 00:11:23,867 --> 00:11:25,600 You know, whatever, like, we're friends, well, but-- 292 00:11:25,667 --> 00:11:27,867 and I'm like, "You've been over here, like, almost every night." 293 00:11:28,467 --> 00:11:32,165 You've taken me to work every morning since my car-- 294 00:11:32,233 --> 00:11:33,767 my brakes were messed up. 295 00:11:33,834 --> 00:11:37,533 Like, why would you not think I was thinking that? 296 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,533 So he's like, "All right. Well, hold on." 297 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,300 He's like, clicks over 298 00:11:42,367 --> 00:11:44,300 and then his girlfriend speaks 299 00:11:44,834 --> 00:11:47,100 and he's like, "Tell her exactly what you just told me." 300 00:11:47,165 --> 00:11:48,934 Like he's trying to embarrass me. 301 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,667 - Man, no. - [Candace] That is exactly what happened. 302 00:11:51,734 --> 00:11:55,165 And also during the loan thing, he wouldn't bring back my key. 303 00:11:55,233 --> 00:11:57,834 Every time I would ask him, like, my brother's coming to stay with me. 304 00:11:57,900 --> 00:12:00,734 I told him, I was like, "I need that key back." 305 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:04,200 And this is after me and his girlfriend had got into it previously, 306 00:12:04,266 --> 00:12:06,834 and I told him, I was like, "I want my key back. 307 00:12:06,900 --> 00:12:09,200 Your girlfriend's in town, she's with you. 308 00:12:09,266 --> 00:12:11,166 She already threatened me." 309 00:12:11,233 --> 00:12:12,700 I was like, "I want my key back." 310 00:12:12,767 --> 00:12:15,533 He would be like, "Oh, don't act like I'm gonna come over there. 311 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:18,200 Don't like she's gonna come over there. She's not gonna come over there." 312 00:12:18,266 --> 00:12:19,734 Even though him and his girlfriend 313 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,633 got into previous altercations with each other. 314 00:12:23,433 --> 00:12:24,900 - She even... - And he still had your key 315 00:12:24,967 --> 00:12:26,400 - and he had access to your home. - [Candace] And he still--right. 316 00:12:26,467 --> 00:12:30,233 And--yeah. So, and she always, like, just jumps to threatening me. 317 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:32,266 [Judge Acker] And if I understand you correctly, 318 00:12:32,333 --> 00:12:33,834 your position wasn't so much, 319 00:12:33,900 --> 00:12:35,867 - "I'm not gonna pay you back ever"... - [Candace] Uh-hmm. 320 00:12:35,934 --> 00:12:38,165 ... it was just, "You're no longer going to be... 321 00:12:38,233 --> 00:12:39,233 - [Candace] Yes. - ... bill number one." 322 00:12:39,300 --> 00:12:43,467 And, You Honor, like, I pay my car on time every year, 323 00:12:43,533 --> 00:12:46,033 every time I had pay-- every time I had that car. 324 00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:48,667 I had the car for five years, I paid my car on time. 325 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,867 I lost my job and I still owe on that car. 326 00:12:51,934 --> 00:12:54,165 I was supposed to have that car paid off in November, 327 00:12:54,233 --> 00:12:56,100 it’s January, I still owe on it. 328 00:12:56,165 --> 00:12:58,834 [Judge Acker] I know, hold on. Just collect yourself. 329 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:01,800 I know you lost your job, but what you wanna do for a living? 330 00:13:01,867 --> 00:13:04,700 I don't know, I wanna work in IT, 331 00:13:04,767 --> 00:13:06,300 - which I'm trying to do right now. - [Judge Acker] Are you going to school? 332 00:13:06,367 --> 00:13:08,400 - Are you going to school? - Um, the job that I'm at right now, 333 00:13:08,467 --> 00:13:11,333 it's gonna pay after 90 days for me to go to school. 334 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:13,300 So I am so happy to hear that. 335 00:13:13,367 --> 00:13:15,066 - Because here's what needs to happen. - [Candace] Uh-hmm. 336 00:13:15,133 --> 00:13:16,667 You need to go to school, 337 00:13:16,734 --> 00:13:19,133 you need to make better relationship choices, 338 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,533 you need to realize that you are somebody 339 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,600 who deserves to be treated with respect and with love, 340 00:13:24,667 --> 00:13:26,567 and with kindness. 341 00:13:26,633 --> 00:13:29,900 Pay him back the money if we decide that he's owed the money, 342 00:13:29,967 --> 00:13:32,133 block his number and forget this. 343 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:33,200 Move on. 344 00:13:33,266 --> 00:13:34,333 Uh-hmm. 345 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:37,834 These should be the last tears that you shed over somebody 346 00:13:37,900 --> 00:13:39,533 who makes you feel like this. 347 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:40,600 [Candace] Uh-hmm. 348 00:13:40,667 --> 00:13:42,967 [Judge Acker] Sir, I know I gave her a lot of space. 349 00:13:43,033 --> 00:13:45,433 If you wanna respond to these specific allegations, 350 00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:47,066 I'll give you that opportunity. 351 00:13:47,133 --> 00:13:48,533 - Yeah. - [Judge Acker] But recognize 352 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,333 that we're really not here to pass judgment 353 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:52,667 on whether or not you were even a boyfriend. 354 00:13:52,734 --> 00:13:54,600 We're here to get to the bottom of this case. 355 00:13:54,667 --> 00:13:57,133 Her claim about what you did 356 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,600 is in my view material to an affirmative defense. 357 00:13:59,667 --> 00:14:01,900 And with all that said, you may have at it, sir. 358 00:14:01,967 --> 00:14:04,600 Yeah. First of all, I care a lot about this girl. 359 00:14:04,667 --> 00:14:06,100 I wish her nothing but the best. 360 00:14:06,166 --> 00:14:08,200 I have none but love and respect for this woman. 361 00:14:08,266 --> 00:14:11,166 I'm not perfect, but I don't-- I'm not mean to her. 362 00:14:11,233 --> 00:14:12,400 I treat her with kindness, uh, 363 00:14:12,467 --> 00:14:14,633 and she kind of misrepresented a few things. 364 00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:17,266 But as far as her thinking we was in a relationship, 365 00:14:17,333 --> 00:14:18,834 she had multiple other dudes she deal with and she come to me, uh... 366 00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:19,900 [Judge Acker] I don't wanna hear about that. 367 00:14:19,967 --> 00:14:21,767 Did you put some other woman on the line? 368 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,533 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 369 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,133 What you're seeking by doubling your award, 370 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,000 you're seeking punitive damages. 371 00:14:30,066 --> 00:14:33,700 And you do get punitive damages when people have acted maliciously. 372 00:14:33,767 --> 00:14:34,934 [dramatic musical sting] 373 00:14:36,900 --> 00:14:38,633 [theme music plays] 374 00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:41,333 [announcer] Stacy Strozier is suing Candace Hall 375 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,433 for $1,600 he loaned her to fix her car, 376 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:46,133 but never repaid. 377 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,133 Candace claims she gave Stacy money 378 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,800 before and while he was in jail, 379 00:14:50,867 --> 00:14:52,633 so they're even. 380 00:14:52,700 --> 00:14:54,266 Did you call her and put some other woman on the line? 381 00:14:54,333 --> 00:14:55,667 [Stacy] No, that's not--that's not a fact. 382 00:14:55,734 --> 00:14:57,700 I just gotta clear that up, 'cause I don't want this to be, like, 383 00:14:57,767 --> 00:14:59,200 "Oh, I'm a bad boyfriend." 384 00:14:59,266 --> 00:15:01,433 And you supposed to owe me this money back and I'm your boyfriend, 385 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:02,867 I'm making you owe me this money back, it's nothing like that. 386 00:15:02,934 --> 00:15:04,100 [Judge Acker] I'm gonna be really clear. 387 00:15:04,166 --> 00:15:06,600 I don't know anything about you or the relationship. 388 00:15:06,667 --> 00:15:09,300 I think that she's entitled to be treated in a certain way. 389 00:15:09,367 --> 00:15:12,133 And we're here because you did a kind thing. 390 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:13,967 You loaned her the money for this. 391 00:15:14,033 --> 00:15:16,867 I think the relationship very likely was messy, 392 00:15:16,934 --> 00:15:20,834 but again she was referring to a very specific event 393 00:15:20,900 --> 00:15:23,300 that she was pleading as an offset. 394 00:15:23,367 --> 00:15:25,266 You deny that event 395 00:15:25,333 --> 00:15:27,767 and I don't think I have to dig much deeper. 396 00:15:27,834 --> 00:15:30,467 I'll let you have the last word. Please be brief. 397 00:15:30,533 --> 00:15:32,500 My colleagues may have other questions. 398 00:15:32,567 --> 00:15:37,200 So, I never called her and put a female on the phone. 399 00:15:37,266 --> 00:15:39,266 So, that's a fact in dispute. 400 00:15:39,333 --> 00:15:40,600 I'm just gonna stop you right there. 401 00:15:40,667 --> 00:15:44,200 If it's material to our determination, we'll discuss it in deliberation. 402 00:15:44,266 --> 00:15:47,300 But I don't think that I need to go any further down that road. 403 00:15:47,367 --> 00:15:50,967 I will point out to you, sir, that in the case like yours, 404 00:15:51,033 --> 00:15:52,433 for breach of contract, 405 00:15:52,500 --> 00:15:55,300 what you're seeking by doubling your award, 406 00:15:55,367 --> 00:15:57,165 you're seeking punitive damages. 407 00:15:57,233 --> 00:16:00,400 And you're right, because you keep referring to malicious conduct 408 00:16:00,467 --> 00:16:03,934 and you do get punitive damages when people have acted maliciously. 409 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:07,133 But you do not get them in a breach of contract case. 410 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:08,734 - Right. - [Judge Acker] So if you win, 411 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,433 I'm pretty sure you're not gonna get double damages. 412 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:13,500 But thank you for articulating your defense. 413 00:16:13,567 --> 00:16:14,834 I don't have anything further. 414 00:16:14,900 --> 00:16:17,233 Then at this point, we're going to retire to deliberate. 415 00:16:17,300 --> 00:16:18,367 - Thank you both. - [Stacy] Hold on, hold on. 416 00:16:18,433 --> 00:16:19,667 I ain't get to say nothing. 417 00:16:19,734 --> 00:16:20,800 [Judge DiMango] Maybe you don't have to. 418 00:16:20,867 --> 00:16:22,233 Okay. Cool. 419 00:16:22,300 --> 00:16:23,400 Court is in recess. 420 00:16:23,467 --> 00:16:25,066 Parties may step out. 421 00:16:25,133 --> 00:16:27,967 [dramatic musical sting] 422 00:16:28,967 --> 00:16:31,667 Smart ladies, stupid choices. 423 00:16:31,734 --> 00:16:34,533 Um, it's pretty clear that in a way, 424 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:36,900 I think she just needed to vent and get out, 425 00:16:36,967 --> 00:16:40,066 you know, her hurt and her pain, what happened here. 426 00:16:40,133 --> 00:16:43,633 Part of it was to be spiteful and not pay him back, 427 00:16:43,700 --> 00:16:45,333 but nothing to rise to a level 428 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:47,433 where he would be entitled to double damages. 429 00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:48,667 She made a deal with him. 430 00:16:48,734 --> 00:16:50,700 She made a contract with him verbally, 431 00:16:50,767 --> 00:16:52,467 she admits it in the courtroom, 432 00:16:52,533 --> 00:16:55,066 she made a $50 payment towards that 433 00:16:55,133 --> 00:16:59,667 and I credit the fact that it was $800 that she owed and not the 700. 434 00:16:59,734 --> 00:17:03,200 I do note that he can't multiply 850 times two, however. 435 00:17:03,266 --> 00:17:05,433 - [laughs] - But, nevertheless, we'll let that go. 436 00:17:05,500 --> 00:17:07,133 And she owes it. 437 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:08,300 I feel terrible for her. 438 00:17:08,367 --> 00:17:11,433 I too am going to just kind of say something to her, 439 00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:14,032 I mean, you're hoping that it goes in one year and stays inside, 440 00:17:14,099 --> 00:17:15,467 but I don't know about that. 441 00:17:15,532 --> 00:17:18,800 You know, it's funny as I prepared the case yesterday, 442 00:17:18,867 --> 00:17:23,099 I really thought that she was going to testify to my question 443 00:17:23,165 --> 00:17:26,200 about when the payment was supposed to be made 444 00:17:26,266 --> 00:17:27,567 that when I had it. 445 00:17:27,633 --> 00:17:28,900 - Uh-hmm. - And that's all she had to say. 446 00:17:28,967 --> 00:17:31,600 You know, when I had it, it would've been a couple here, a couple there 447 00:17:31,667 --> 00:17:34,834 and then the Missouri law kicks in and he loses. 448 00:17:34,900 --> 00:17:37,266 I was really expecting him to lose. 449 00:17:37,333 --> 00:17:39,133 But when she testified truthfully, 450 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:40,967 and she really didn't have much of an option, 451 00:17:41,033 --> 00:17:43,000 'cause you brought it up, I didn't see that text, 452 00:17:43,066 --> 00:17:46,200 where he said, "You said you're gonna pay me on the next payday." 453 00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:48,000 - So she had no wiggle room. - Uh-hmm. 454 00:17:48,066 --> 00:17:50,734 So she admits payday, so you have the amount, 455 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,667 you have the payback period, you--you're done. 456 00:17:53,734 --> 00:17:55,934 And if she were really smart, 457 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,834 - should've paid back the money. - Yeah. 458 00:17:57,900 --> 00:17:59,133 Should've paid back the money, she would've... 459 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,433 But this has nothing to do with smart. This has to do with broken heart. 460 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:02,500 [Judge Levy] I get that. 461 00:18:02,567 --> 00:18:06,033 I know that the heart makes the mind do things that it's not supposed to. 462 00:18:06,100 --> 00:18:09,767 You know, but when she's crying inside, yeah, you know, I feel bad for her, 463 00:18:09,834 --> 00:18:12,433 but you know what, it's self-imposed, she's a grown woman. 464 00:18:12,500 --> 00:18:13,500 He's like, "I loaned her money. 465 00:18:13,567 --> 00:18:14,667 There was no question about it, 466 00:18:14,734 --> 00:18:17,066 and all she had to do was pay me back and we wouldn't be here. 467 00:18:17,133 --> 00:18:18,433 We're only here because of her." 468 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:19,867 And there's some legitimacy to that. 469 00:18:19,934 --> 00:18:22,367 I think that he gets back his $800. 470 00:18:22,433 --> 00:18:25,467 In fairness to him, we're only here because he loaned her the money 471 00:18:25,533 --> 00:18:27,200 - when she needed it in the first place... - Right. 472 00:18:27,266 --> 00:18:29,400 ... so he can't be 100% all bad. 473 00:18:29,467 --> 00:18:30,967 I also thought it was interesting, 474 00:18:31,033 --> 00:18:33,600 you know, obviously we all know that as a matter of law, 475 00:18:33,667 --> 00:18:35,567 you don't get punitives for breach of contract. 476 00:18:35,633 --> 00:18:39,500 But his analysis was kind of spot-on, 477 00:18:39,567 --> 00:18:42,533 like she did kind of maliciously say, 478 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:45,100 "Well, I'm not gonna pay you back anymore because I'm mad." 479 00:18:45,166 --> 00:18:47,600 So, his analysis was dead-on. 480 00:18:47,667 --> 00:18:49,767 I think he--I think he said, "I know". 481 00:18:49,834 --> 00:18:50,834 - He knows the law. - Law. 482 00:18:50,900 --> 00:18:52,000 - Yeah. Of course he does. - He knows the law. 483 00:18:52,066 --> 00:18:54,100 - He's been in jail for so many years. - That's [indistinct]. 484 00:18:54,166 --> 00:18:55,500 What do you think he's doing in there? 485 00:18:55,567 --> 00:18:59,100 - He just didn't think that we're the law. - [laughter] 486 00:18:59,166 --> 00:19:01,166 Well, that's why he figured he ended up in jail. 487 00:19:01,233 --> 00:19:02,934 Stupid judges and lawyers, 488 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,333 but he seems to know better, so, yes. 489 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:06,400 We're unanimous? 490 00:19:06,467 --> 00:19:07,433 - Yeah. - Yeah. 491 00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:10,333 [dramatic musical sting] 492 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:11,800 Court is back in session. 493 00:19:11,867 --> 00:19:14,266 All parties are reminded that you're still under oath. 494 00:19:14,333 --> 00:19:15,834 - Thank you, Cassandra. - Uh-hmm. 495 00:19:15,900 --> 00:19:18,633 This was a very simple breach of contract action. 496 00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:20,066 You lent her money 497 00:19:20,133 --> 00:19:23,166 and it was clear from the testimony and the paperwork 498 00:19:23,233 --> 00:19:26,533 that you agreed that you were gonna pay him back on your next paycheck 499 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:27,600 and that you didn't. 500 00:19:27,667 --> 00:19:29,333 You only gave him $50. 501 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,500 You danced around a punitive damage issue here, 502 00:19:32,567 --> 00:19:34,433 which is, as you already know, 503 00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:37,367 not something warranted under breach of contract 504 00:19:37,433 --> 00:19:41,233 and you danced around the defense of not wanting to pay back 505 00:19:41,300 --> 00:19:43,767 because of how he treated you. 506 00:19:43,834 --> 00:19:47,533 And the bottom line here is what this really is about in my mind 507 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,700 is about two people who have a long-term relationship 508 00:19:50,767 --> 00:19:55,066 squaring off in a courtroom to both resolve their legal issue 509 00:19:55,133 --> 00:19:59,667 and also to express their emotional issue as well. 510 00:19:59,734 --> 00:20:03,834 You saw in your relationship with him what you wanted to see in him. 511 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:05,600 And he did a nice gesture. 512 00:20:05,667 --> 00:20:08,367 I mean, there's no doubt here that him giving you the money. 513 00:20:08,433 --> 00:20:10,834 But what you saw in these gestures 514 00:20:10,900 --> 00:20:12,934 was more than somebody-- 515 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:14,500 I don't mean this really in a bad way, 516 00:20:14,567 --> 00:20:17,033 but somebody in his position was capable of giving you. 517 00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:19,333 This is why this was hard for you to pay him back, 518 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,667 'cause once this is resolved, you've gotta both go on your own way. 519 00:20:23,467 --> 00:20:27,367 Be smart, make better choices. Stay out of jail. 520 00:20:27,433 --> 00:20:28,467 Got it? 521 00:20:28,533 --> 00:20:30,200 So the verdict is in your favor. 522 00:20:30,266 --> 00:20:32,500 - It's unanimous, $800. - [gavel bangs] 523 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:35,000 [Cassandra] This case has concluded. 524 00:20:35,066 --> 00:20:36,467 Parties are excused. 525 00:20:36,533 --> 00:20:40,266 [theme music plays] 526 00:20:40,333 --> 00:20:44,800 I loved him at the time, so that's how I act when I'm in love, so. 527 00:20:44,867 --> 00:20:46,500 We was never in no committed relationship. 528 00:20:46,567 --> 00:20:48,934 He claims that we weren't heading anywhere, 529 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,300 but why are you lying about being in a relationship and so, yeah. 530 00:20:52,367 --> 00:20:54,033 Well, I mean, look at me, why wouldn't she wanna-- 531 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:55,100 you know what I'm saying? 532 00:20:55,166 --> 00:20:56,500 To be with somebody like me. 533 00:20:56,567 --> 00:20:59,266 It was partly, like, how he treated me, 534 00:20:59,333 --> 00:21:01,400 but I didn't have the money, so. 535 00:21:01,467 --> 00:21:03,567 No more loans, man. You feel me? 536 00:21:03,633 --> 00:21:06,266 I'm just happy it's over. I never have to see him again. 537 00:21:06,333 --> 00:21:08,700 [announcer] Did someone break an agreement? 538 00:21:08,767 --> 00:21:12,033 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 539 00:21:12,100 --> 00:21:14,767 Find us on social media. 540 00:21:14,834 --> 00:21:17,900 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]