I would love for them to take the bird home
for summer vacation, holidays.
Steve: Oh, you want -- you want custody.
Yes.
We ain't that kind of court.
[ Laughter ]
[ Spectators ohh ]
I knew it hit his phone, but I believe it may even
have skinned his head. Who's laughing?
Oh, that's me laughing in the video. [ Laughter ]
How often do y'all have visitors when they come? None!
I just felt like my aunt was talking to me then.
"Can I have some candy?" "None!"
[ Laughter ]
Hey, it's a big world out there,
and it's filled with people that just don't see eye to eye.
See, that's where I come in.
See, I ain't got a law degree,
and I'm way too fly to wear a robe.
But this is where common sense presides -- in my house.
Court is now in session.
[ Chuckles ]
-- Captions by VITAC --
All rise for the Honorable Judge Steve Harvey!
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
Uh, let's get started.
This is the case of Wanda Whipple
vs. Anthony Whipple.
Wanda is suing her nephew Anthony for $1,500
for refusing to accept Rocco, the bird,
a gift she purchased for Anthony's son.
Anthony is tired of Wanda pecking at him
and is countersuing his aunt for $1,000 for harassment.
All right, let's start with you, Wanda.
You have 30 seconds to state your case.
I'm suing my nephew Anthony for $1,500.
I purchased a bird back in 2017 for his son Zayden,
and he has refused to take the bird home with him.
So I'm suing for the cost of the bird
and, um, taking care of him,
as well as I would like for him
to, um, have visitation with the bird.
Okay, uh, Anthony, it's your turn.
You have 30 seconds to respond.
Judge Harvey, I'm here today
because my aunt purchased a bird
that she claims was a gift for my son,
when really I believe that it was just
another pet for herself.
Because she impulsively made this decision on her own,
I do not feel that I'm liable for any charges,
nor is visitation warranted.
There's been a lot of stress and harassment
in the process of all of this.
So I feel like $1,000 should be rewarded to me
in a countersuit.
All right, let's start with you, uh, Wanda.
Tell me how this all came about.
Okay, so back in 2017, Anthony and his family
lived in one house and I was in another house.
I sold both of those houses,
and we got one big house we were all living in.
The plan was for us to stay there for one year,
and then we were all gonna get out and get our own.
So a couple of months in, his son Zayden,
who was three at the time, said he wanted a pet.
So I took Zayden to the pet store,
and he picked out a cockatiel.
We took the bird home,
and when Anthony got off work that night,
he came home and his son said, uh, "Dad, look, I got a pet."
And Anthony said, "Call him Rocco."
So he even named the bird. [ Spectators murmur ]
So the bird was purchased without your knowledge?
Like she said, I came home, and the bird --
Oh, okay, so you came home.
Now, tell me what happened when you come home.
This isn't the first bird my aunt has owned,
so I kind of, uh --
kind of already knew what I was in store for
with her, with the birds.
She finds the loudest, most obnoxious birds.
She doesn't, like -- you know, she don't think
about the other people around.
But his son wanted the bird.
It's his son in the store.
There were rabbits there.
And I said, "Pick out a pet."
And Zayden walked up to that bird,
and he picked the bird out.
I was happy because I like birds.
I'm a bird person, but --
Uh, Judge Harvey, do you know what you want at three?
If you take me into a store... Candy.
...full of candy... Yeah.
...I'm-a want every last one of them.
I want everything in there. Exactly.
Yeah. Well, Judge Steve, I have a video of his son talking about
how much he loved that bird,
and I submitted that to the court.
Okay, well, let's see the video.
[ Whistling "Andy Griffith" theme song ]
Zayden: You told me pick out any pet.
Thank you.
[ Laughter ]
Let me ask you something.
Just in this video,
he's three in this video?
That's more recent. Oh, 'cause I was gonna say...
Yeah. ...he got this vocabulary at three?
I'm finna say this little grown-ass little boy right here. Yeah.
And what the point of the video was to show?
That now he knows that he said, "Yeah, I wanted the bird."
Well, how old is he now?
Now he's eight.
[ Spectators murmur ]
Y'all done had this bird five years?
Five years.
Did you know he wanted a bird? No.
Judge Harvey, that morning before going to work,
he told me, "Dad, we would like to have a pet here.
That would be nice."
By the time I got home, the bird was already there --
cage, everything built up, covered.
You asked the parents...
Yes, I said -- they knew --
..."Could he have a bird?"
He might not have expressed consent,
but it was implied, Your Honor, when --
Wow. It was implied consent.
I didn't imply I wanted any type of pet, Judge Harvey.
Um, and the rest of us Whipples also known
her history with birds,
and that would not have been the first choice
that we would have picked, I can tell you that now. I've had a --
Oh, so you like birds? I do.
And his son likes them, too.
The bird was a gift.
So she states.
The bird was a gift. To -- To Zayden?
To Zayden. When it was time for us to move,
I got my house first and I moved.
Anthony and his family were still there with Rocco.
And when he got his house, he moved all his stuff.
And he called me and said,
"Uh, what are you gonna do with Rocco?"
And I'm saying, "Well, if he was mine,
I would have took him with me when I moved."
But Rocco was still there because that was his son's bird.
But they decided they didn't want to take Rocco
with them to their house.
So I had to come back and get Rocco.
And he's been with me now for three years.
Well, how did you come to the conclusion to let Rocco go?
We missed a lot of the -- the living-together part
of this conversation here.
Go ahead. Tell me. Um, she would work overnight,
come home in the morning, early,
put music on, go down there,
and her and Rocco would have a drink.
She'd be serenading him, singing.
I didn't give the bird -- The bird can't drink.
What? Does that even sound right? I mean, she would --
I wouldn't give a bird a drink.
She would have a drink in front of the bird. Yeah.
I was trying to teach the bird.
Like, I taught him how to whistle
and taught him some songs and everything... Yeah.
...so that Zay would have, you know,
something to continue to work with
when they got home together, you know?
At 6:00 and 7:00 in the morning while we all still resting.
Listen, the bird was bought for Zayden.
He still should have taken the bird home with him
because it's his son's bird.
Well, let me ask you a question.
Did Zayden ask, "Where's my bird?"
I will tell you this.
Zayden would come and visit him at my house.
And whenever the bird sees him,
they got this little dance that they do.
So that's his bird.
Yeah. D-Did -- Did you hear what I asked?
What did you ask me? Does he ask to see him?
Yeah, when y'all moved and he didn't take the bird,
did -- did -- "Dad, where's my bird?
I want --" Did he cry about the bird?
He said, "Don't give him away,
and I'll come visit him at your house."
He said that to you? He did.
When all her stuff was gone and the bird was left,
he was the one that came down and was like,
"Auntie Wanda left her bird here."
I don't believe that. "You need to call her."
No, no, no. I do not believe that.
♪♪
He said, "Don't give him away,
and I'll come visit him at your house."
He said that to you? He did.
When all her stuff was gone and the bird was left,
he was the one that came down and was like,
"Auntie Wanda left her bird here."
I don't believe that. "You need to call her."
No, no, no. I do not believe that.
That was the -- That was the last thing left. I don't believe that.
Mnh-mnh.
I don't believe that. I just don't believe it.
So just let me get your view on this.
Anthony, overall, how you feel about the bird?
Listen, I'm not against pets.
I just -- I got enough to take care of.
Uh, I have four children. Okay.
That's -- That's enough to deal with on top of a bird
that nobody asked for, except my Aunt Wanda.
[ Applause ]
What is -- something special about this bird?
This bird -- Do the bird do something?
Oh, he -- he does a lot.
He knows theme songs to some of the TV shows.
He's -- He knows theme songs?
Yes! He can whistle to "Andy Griffith."
He does, he does.
To "Andy Griffith"? Yes.
[ Whistles "Andy Griffith" theme song ] Yeah, that one.
Ah.
Yes! That's Rocco. That's Rocco.
Oh. [ Laughs ]
That's the bird? Wanda: That's the bird.
Anthony: That's him. I love him.
Okay, well, let's talk about this suit.
Yes. You're suing for $1,500.
You want $100 for the bird, $200 for the bird cage...
Mm-hmm. ...$90 for toys and the swing...
Yes. ...$900 for bird food.
Yeah, 'cause I've had him three years now.
And $210 for vet visits.
That's right, and I've submitted receipts about it.
You got all this on $100 bird?
Mm. Yes, they are expensive.
Well, let's see those receipts.
And it's been like three years
that I've had to take care of him. Okay.
Oh, you've had all of this? Oh.
Yeah, and that was just the initial receipt there
when I first got him, just for his setup.
That was just $99.99.
Yeah, but, and -- and the rest of it.
Everything else was -- And then the bird cage was $200,
and then -- what's corn on the cob?
Yeah, that's his -- his little toys and treats and... Yeah.
Oh, okay. Knows how much I love him.
And then we got bird food,
a treat stick, a four-pack. Mm-hmm.
That's $348.
And then his vet bills, so I feel like, you know,
I need to be reimbursed for taking care of him. Anthony: Judge Harvey?
Yes, sir? I got four kids.
Do you think I'm-a sign up for all of that,
what she's sitting here talking about,
knowing...
[ Applause ]
I mean, we just at the initial stage, and that's $348. [ Sighs ] He did--
You know how far that could go with four children?
[ Laughter and applause ]
He was down with it when I went and came home with the bird.
I think after the two years of living in the house with him,
he realized, "Okay,
we're not gonna be taking care of the seeds
and the poop and all that stuff."
And so then he just kind of, like, left him with me.
I feel like initially it was his.
So you want to see what happen exactly?
Tell me what you want to see happen.
I would love for them to, you know, uh,
take the bird home for summer vacation,
get him for Christmas,
let him spend time with the kids, holidays.
Oh, you want -- you want custody.
Yes. Yeah, I want --
I want some shared caregiving responsibilities.
And -- Yeah, just, we ain't that kind of court.
Well... [ Laughs ]
See, that -- you're talking about family court now.
I been there a bunch of times.
You're bringing back a lot of bad memories for me.
Let me talk to you, Anthony.
This countersuit -- you got $1,000 for harassment.
Mm-hmm. Explain that to me.
Uh, holidays, every time we go over, um,
it's always something about the bird.
She tried to pit my kids against me, saying,
"Your daddy don't want the bird" and all of this.
Everybody know I love Rocco.
I don't like how he whistles at me.
He just... [ Laughter ]
But, um, it's always a back-and-forth. [ Wolf-whistles ]
He give you that? Yeah, you know.
I ain't -- Throw you off a little bit?
It do.
It's -- It's just always something,
and I just want to be through with this bird.
I want her to know that this is hers.
Oh, wow. Mm. My children will come over and visit
and sing karaoke and all that all they want.
But it will be at her house, not mine.
Well, I've reached a verdict.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Now, you know, I've listened to the stories.
A couple of pieces here.
We have a plaintiff, Wanda,
who has been a previous bird owner.
And you love birds. Mm.
You took Zayden to the pet store as a gift. Mm-hmm.
When you take another parent's child
and then you thrust them into the decision-making process
without the permission of the parents
and they make a decision that's adverse
to what the parents would have allowed or done,
eh, that's a little questionable.
But you're the aunt.
Now, you're suing for $1,500 --
$100 for the bird, $200 for bird cage.
Mm-hmm.
The house is double the value of the bird.
[ Laughter ] Mm-hmm.
And then you spent $90 on toys and a swing.
You now spent 90% of the value of the bird
on toys and some corn on the cob.
[ Laughter ]
And then you spent nine times the value
of the damn bird on bird food,
and then $210 in vet bills.
If this bird was a stock, the market has crashed.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Mm.
But it's not a bad investment
'cause it's a pet, and pet gives us joy.
I'm inclined to agree with you that you spent all this money,
and you did bring in proof.
Here's the problem with this court --
we operate off the story.
Nobody but the three-year-old asked you to buy the bird.
Wanda, this bird has been in your possession for five years.
It's part of you. You're happy?
He'll be around for another 20 years.
[ Whistles ]
It has a life-span of 20 more years? Twenty --
25 years.
25 years? Yes. [ Chuckles ]
Mnh, mnh, mnh.
In 25 more years,
you're gonna have to spend $35,000 on this bird.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Are you single?
It's just me and Rocco.
Well, look like it's just gonna be you and Rocco.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Visitation?
I just told you this ain't that kind of court.
Okay, okay.
And you're gonna stop saying "visitation" to me... Okay.
...'cause that brings back bad moments for me.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I'm sorry.
You're not getting visitation. You ain't getting alimony.
You ain't getting child support.
I ain't paying off no more damn bills.
Am I going through something up here? Uh-huh.
[ Laughter and applause ]
I'm dismissing your suit for $1,500.
[ Cheers and applause ]
He is not liable for this.
I'm dismissing your counterclaim for $1,000.
Harassment is a part of life.
You gotta come up with $35,000... Mm.
...to keep this bird alive for 20 more years.
So because you're such a beautiful woman,
the court is gonna give you $5,000 to take care of the bird.
Oh, thank you.
That's my verdict.
And that's the way I see it.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
I agree with Judge Harvey's ruling.
I probably should have gotten their consent first.
I do not think Wanda will stop harassing me about Rocco.
Uh, looks like I got another 25 years of this.
All right, here we go.
Swing through. Bam! Blink!
Did the piñata bust?
The stick did.
The piñata broke the broomstick?
You gotta swing like a man.
Wow.
♪♪
Okay, so what do we have next?
This is the case of Marco Cueva
vs. Nick Santistevan.
Marco's suing his former best friend, Nick,
for $1,300 for breaking his brand-new smartphone
when he tried to hit a piñata with a broomstick.
Nick says he's not responsible for his broken phone
and that Marco shouldn't have been in the way.
All right, uh, let's start with you, Marco.
You've got 30 seconds to state your case.
Mr. Harvey, I'm suing my former best friend, Nick,
uh, $1,300 for a brand-new smartphone
because, at his gender reveal,
he decided to use a flimsy stick instead of a baseball bat.
And he completely shattered my phone.
All right, uh, Nick, it's your turn.
You have 30 seconds to respond.
Mr. Harvey, um, I'm here today
being sued by my former best friend of 13 years.
Yes, 13 years. [ Spectators murmur ]
I do not owe him that money.
He was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time,
and he put himself in that own position.
So y'all been boys for 13 years?
Yes, Mr. Harvey.
I actually met Nicholas, um, in 2009.
We attended the same high school.
Um, we became close there. [ Spectators aww ]
And I found out that he lived across the street from me.
And over the years,
we started going to each other's houses more,
meeting each other's family, you know, becoming real close.
And as time flew by, um, he decided to have kids.
And -- Okay, hold on. Before...
[ Laughter ]
We was in school a minute ago.
And you went over to his house,
and then he decided to have some kids.
[ Laughter ]
This story's going too fast.
All right, let me jump over to you, Nick. Yeah.
Tell me a little bit about this friendship.
So, yeah, um, we went to rival schools, actually.
My friends and then his friends
would be at their house outside.
We'd literally be staring at each other like this,
try to act tough, but we really just --
we did it all, we gymed, we partied,
everything together, so...
Okay, so why are we here? Tell me what happened.
So, to kind of backtrack a little bit,
I had a gender reveal
a year and a half ago for my first son,
and, you know, everything went smoothly.
This going into my second child,
we were really shooting for that girl.
So, um, we -- we decided to do another gender reveal.
And, you know, I've been playing baseball
since I was four years old.
And we had this piñata,
and I step up, you know, to the piñata.
I'm like, "All right, this first swing,
you know, this is -- this is it right here, you know?"
So you're swinging what at this piñata?
So I'm actually -- You got a baseball bat?
The funny thing is, no, there wasn't a baseball bat.
We got the nearest thing was a -- a broomstick.
Okay. So I took off the handle, you know,
and first thing, bam!
This thing didn't budge. I'm like --
'Cause he's not a baseball player.
Not a real baseball player. Really?
You've known me my whole life, and I'm not a baseball player? If you're gonna swing like that,
you gotta swing like a man. Okay.
Wow. That's a -- That's a best-friend statement.
So the second round up, I go right up again.
I was like, "I just -- full force."
Like, swing through. Bam! Blink!
The crowd just, "Whoo!" Man.
Okay, what -- Did the piñata bust?
No. The stick did.
The piñata broke the broomstick?
When I swung through, the other half broke off
and flew into the crowd
and ended up hitting Marco in the -- in the phone --
I knew it hit his phone, but I believe it may even
have skinned his head.
And then I walk over, like, really quick,
like, just kind of casual, I'm like, "Hey, like, you good?"
He's like, "Yeah, I'm good." I'm like, "All right."
'Cause I had other priorities at the time. He didn't do that.
I want to find out what my baby is,
and I still don't have the proper,
you know, the swinging.
So I go through the shed, and I find an old T-ball bat.
So it's like, "Oh, this kind of brings back memories."
So, like, "All right, yeah, this is what I'm gonna use."
So, you know, I step in again,
swing through, break it through, explodes.
Confetti everywhere.
What'd you have?
It was another boy.
[ Spectators murmur ] Yes.
But I can tell you -- Y'all mad about that?
Yeah, I know. I was like, "What?!"
Sorry.
[ Applause ]
There he is.
[ Spectators aww ]
There he is. We got two boys.
You don't know the pain you saved yourself.
[ Laughter ]
I've raised four girls.
Thank the Lord you got them boys.
[ Laughter ]
Ugh. Now we're talking to you.
Now, tell me about what happened, though,
because he swings this stick and he goes to check.
What happened?
We got people on the left, people on the right.
I'm over here right in front of him
'cause I'm trying to get the perfect shot for him.
You know, this is my boy, like...
But when he hit that second hit with the stick,
the stick broke, and it headed towards me.
And so I'm in shock because my phone
just flung right out of my hand.
And so I'm -- I'm coming down,
and I'm looking around for my phone,
and I pick it up, and it's completely shattered.
But -- Okay, did you get hit in the head, too?
It -- It actually bumped me on the forehead.
Now, did you video this?
I actually did record it.
Okay, all right, let's go. Let's see it.
Marco: Three, two, one!
[ Woman cheers ]
-[ Laughs ] -Keep going. Keep going.
Woman: Hit it hard.
[ Spectators ohh ]
[ Laughter ]
Woman #2: That was quick!
You know, that's -- that's what he said
everybody said.
I wasn't lying to you. He said everybody said, "Whoo!"
Speaking facts. Okay, let -- can we slow this down a little bit?
Let me see it.
[ Laughs ]
Nice hip turn.
[ Spectators ohh ]
Bam! [ Laughs ]
Oh, Mr. Harvey, I was upset about the situation
because I walked up to him after, be like,
"Hey, um, you broke my phone. Is it possible you can --
you can buy me a new one? I think you should."
And he said, "No. Um. Why would I buy you new one?" That conversation was never had.
"It was an accident." That conversation was never had.
I think you're talking to yourself on that one, buddy.
Okay, so -- Now he's gonna lie. Now he's gonna lie about it.
Okay, so hold on. Okay. So how do you think it happened?
We all seen his phone.
But we were all laughing about it 'cause we were all like --
I didn't think it was funny. It could have been worse.
I didn't think it was funny. You know, it could have been one of those situations --
You weren't laughing?
The rest of us was laughing.
Exactly. Exactly. Yeah.
Yeah, I know. I know. I -- Hey, Marco.
Oh, I know it wasn't funny to you,
but your boy and the rest of them?
Oh, they was hollerin'. Oh, yeah.
"Anybody see Marco phone?"
[ Laughs ]
I'm sorry. I know -- So I know they was laughing.
Yeah. Okay, so --
Because I wasn't con--
'Cause I was more concerned about his health,
which wasn't an issue, like, you know --
But I asked him, Your Honor.
I asked him if he can replace my phone and he said, "No."
Those words were never said to me. "It was an accident. Why would I?"
Those words were never said, Marco, and you know that.
And I-I didn't say anything there
because the whole family was there.
But I did text him a week later, and I asked him.
Now, now, hold, Marco.
You got -- You gotta make up your mind now.
Exactly. See? Right? Like, where's the -- You -- You either --
Where does it add up? It doesn't add up.
You -- You either said something to him that day,
or you didn't say something and you waited.
Now, which one is it?
♪♪
I didn't say anything there
because the whole family was there.
But I did text him a week later, and I asked him.
Now, you gotta make up your mind now.
Exactly. See? Right? It doesn't add up.
You either said something to him that day,
or you didn't say something and you waited.
Now, which one is it?
I said something to him that day,
and I also waited a week later.
I gave it a week because I wanted him to talk to me
and apologize.
So, now, did you ever get a phone?
I went through my insurance,
and I had to get a refurbished phone.
I have evidence for that, as well.
All right, let's see it.
"Transaction Details --
Approved Replacement Claim."
Tell me how this works.
You have insurance?
I have insurance and -- And they give you a -- a -- a new phone?
They don't give you a new phone --
they give you a used phone.
How much was your new phone that you had?
My -- The new phone that he broke was $1,300.
How long had you owned that new phone?
I had it for about three months.
So it's not new anymore?
[ Laughter ]
Now, you're saying that this is the defendant's fault
and he owes you a phone?
Yes, Your Honor, because he wasn't apologetic about it.
He even -- sometime after, he even posted the video
on social media, and the video went viral --
over 110 million views. [ Spectators murmur ]
And best believe it -- best believe it --
the same -- the same way that everyone was laughing here,
people were laughing in the comments
and talking about me. 'Cause it's funny! 'Cause it's funny!
I mean, you weren't harmed.
It's funny. I mean -- I mean --
Let me see something.
They said we have some comments on the video.
Let me take a look. Oh, yeah.
Woman: Hit it hard.
[ Spectators oh ] [ Marco laughs ]
Nick: That's my favorite one --
right there on the right.
Steve: "Why's he laughing like that?"
"That's what he get for having that laugh."
"Bruh with the g--"
Who's laughing?
Oh, that's me laughing in the video.
[ Laughter ]
Oh! But, Mr. Harvey,
I was laughing because this guy's swinging,
and he's not breaking the piñata --
like, he's a baseball player.
It was funny until it wasn't.
And -- And I was excited for him.
But I'm his best friend. I'm-a be here for him, you know?
[ Women aww ]
Steve: "I'm his best friend. I'm-a be there for him."
All right.
[ Laughter ]
Woman reaction -- "Aww!"
Woman: Aww!
See, that's the thing I love about women --
that tender, caring for everything
that don't even require care.
[ Laughter ]
Let me ask you a question --
did he ask you to film it for him?
He did not, Your Honor, but I wanted to,
because I'm his best friend, and I -- You d--
Yeah, 'cause you're his best friend. Yeah.
[ Women aww ]
[ Laughter and applause ]
All the dudes in here went...
[ Laughter and applause ]
"You're his best friend. What?"
So, now, you've been friends how long?
For about 12 years.
What's the great thing about being his friend?
He's like a brother to me.
And he was -- he's very funny
and just somebody you get along with.
What's the best thing about being friends with him
over the years?
The best thing about him being my best friend
is that he's my best friend, literally. [ Women aww ]
I think more than anything, I think I'm hurt
that we didn't have that communication
to where we had to end up here.
All right. I've reached a verdict.
[ Cheers and applause ]
The male bond is a special bond.
It's a little bit different from a female bond.
When something happens in a female relationship,
oh, they rally the troops.
"Let's get some wine.
Let's talk it out, girl. We're here for you.
How many times do you want to go over what he did?"
[ Laughter and applause ]
Something happens to us --
"You good? Cool."
Exactly how the conversation went.
Exactly.
That's it.
But, now, what happened here was two guys got together
to share a moment -- a gender reveal.
He wants to be there for his boy.
He decides to capture it on video
without his best friend asking.
His best friend, baseball player,
takes the swing, and he doesn't open up the piñata.
This is the funniest thing
Marco's ever seen. [ Thumps desk ]
He's on camera laughing.
"Ha ha ha ha."
[ Laughter ]
Swing number two!
He swung so hard, he broke the stick.
And you saw the stick come and hit Marco.
It was a complete accident that happened.
You posted it.
Woman: Yeah.
[ Spectators murmur ]
110 million views.
So now we down to two good friends, and we in court.
The sad part is two dudes are gonna stop being friends
over a phone.
Y'all, I can count my dear friends on one hand.
Woman: That's right.
You ain't gonna find another him. That's right.
And you ain't gonna find another him.
So, now, here's my verdict.
The suit is for $1,300 just for the new phone.
I agree with Nick.
He's not responsible.
I'm not gonna hold him responsible.
But something happened, and it's bugging you real bad.
I think most of the bugging, though,
is from the embarrassment
that your friend caused you by posting it viral.
I don't even really think we in here for the phone.
I think we in here because you can't believe
your boy put you on blast like that.
What you think about that, Marco?
You think that got something to do with it?
Uh, yes, Your Honor.
I'm just being real with you.
Ain't no two dudes coming to court 'bout that
'cause you know good and hell well
you ain't finna get this money from this dude.
Every man in here know this.
Don't give a damn what the court say or nothing else.
If I tell him to pay him, he ain't gonna pay him.
And the friendship is gonna be splintered.
But the embarrassment is real.
So I'm just gonna give you $650 for embarrassment.
Boy, but I tell you what,
the monetization on 110 million views...
Whoo, you should have posted it yourself.
[ Laughter and applause ]
So, here we go.
My verdict -- is your suit for $1,300
I'm dismissing against Nicholas.
But the court is going to award you half of that
for the new phone -- $650.
Y'all need to get back to being friends.
That's my verdict.
And that's the way I see it.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
She doesn't want visitors.
Why do I not want them?
Pick me. Okay, you. Okay.
'Cause they ain't got nowhere to sit!
[ Laughter ]
♪♪
Let's get started.
This is the case of Valerie Hobson
vs. Delmar Hobson.
Valerie is suing her hoarding husband for $10,000
to declutter their home and get some peace of mind.
Delmar says all of his items are useful
and there's no need to get rid of anything.
Okay. Uh, let's start with you, uh, Valerie.
You have 30 seconds to state your case.
I am suing my husband, Delmar Hobson,
for $10,000 for the clutter that he has made
in our house over the years.
Okay, now, let me get this.
Delmar, it's your turn.
You have 30 seconds to respond.
Your Honor, my wife's bringing me to court for clutter
that she says that I have accumulated.
Some of it, I admit, has been clutter.
A lot of it I need.
No, you don't.
Yes, I do. No, you don't.
No, you don't any of it.
It's serves a purpose to me. This is a bunch of garbage.
No, no, siree. No purpose at all.
None. Mnh-mnh.
Well, hold on. First, just let me say this to the gallery.
My mama told me don't get in grown-folk business.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Your Honor...
So, what I heard just now was some grown-folk business.
I had to let it play out.
And now we're gonna start the court case.
"No, it don't. You don't need none of it."
"I do need all of it."
"I said you don't need a damn thing."
[ Laughter and applause ]
Ms. Valerie. Mm-hmm. Yeah.
How long have you all been together?
22 years.
How'd y'all meet?
We met in downtown Pittsburgh.
He was working at a clothing store,
and I was walking by his store.
He stopped me, was checking me out.
So that's how it started.
[ Spectators murmur ]
You remember that day, sir?
Yes, I do.
Yeah. [ Laughter ]
You tell me what happened.
I was outside a clothing store
when I seen this pretty lady walking down the sidewalk.
[ Spectators aww ] Yeah.
And I said, "Well, maybe one day we can go out to lunch."
We went to lunch the next day.
So, now, how long was it before y'all got married?
We dated for about four or five years,
then we parted ways.
Oh, y'all broke up? Yeah.
What happened, Delmar?
My wife was ready for marriage, and I wasn't ready yet.
How old were you then, sir? I was about 38.
38.
How did you all get back together?
We saw each other in the supermarket.
Oh, there we go. Uh-huh.
Hold up. Stop right there.
Delmar, how many years was it that y'all were apart?
10 years. 10 years.
10 years? 10 years.
You're 48 now. You see her.
Now what, Delmar?
This time, she wasn't getting away.
Yeah. Yeah.
In 2000, we -- we married.
[ Spectators murmur ]
Oh, this is the day.
Uh-huh.
[ Applause ]
Okay, so, now, why are we here?
[ Laughs ] Because of his --
Ms. Valerie, we had a beautiful love story.
It's been going along great.
This clutter building up in the house -- it must go.
I'm pulling my hair out, and I don't even have company
in my house anymore because of this.
Now, this stuff that you don't care for -- what is it?
Okay, I have a -- a video.
You should see the video. Let's play the video.
Yes, this junk has to go.
Greenhouse. Table.
Look at this junk standing all around.
That's a bunch of junk.
It's a mess. Total mess.
It really needs to go.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Uh-huh.
And I have pictures, too.
Let's see the pictures.
[ Spectators ohh ]
That's what it is.
Now, what is this right here?
Garage.
Now, let me ask you a couple questions, Delmar.
What is that right there, Delmar?
[ Laughter ]
That is a top to a case.
It goes to a container?
A container. Exactly. Yeah, it's a container.
Now, that -- Now, let me ask you a question.
Do you know where the container is?
No. No. Yes, I do!
Where is the container?
That container is in the yard.
Let me see the next picture.
Ah!
[ Spectators murmur ]
Is that your plants? Yes, sir.
That's my greenhouse that I built.
It's in the dining room.
[ Spectators murmur ]
You put the greenhouse in the dining room?
That's what I'm talking about.
Well, Steve, there's a reason for that.
[ Laughter ]
Well, come on, Delmar.
You start your plants inside. Right.
Then, when the weather's right,
you move them to where they can grow at.
All right, let me see a photo.
You have a garden -- picture of the garden?
Yes.
That's the garden. That has to go.
Mnh-mnh. That has --
So you're a pretty good gardener?
I do my best.
Judge Harvey, you don't see the full picture there.
It's just -- the backyard is terrible.
He got all these buckets lined up against the fence,
all down there on the other side.
It just looks terrible.
Mr. Delmar, you -- What?
What you got to say about all this, man?
All of that clutter isn't clutter.
[ Laughter ] It's all clutter.
I can't take it. How long have y'all been in this house, Ms. Valerie?
We've been in for 20 years.
First few years, it wasn't bad.
But then he got this idea about a greenhouse in the house.
So, against my better judgment, I said, okay.
It got bad. Real bad.
You thought she was gonna give another answer, Mr. Delmar?
What happened? What happened?
"It got bad."
"Aw, hell."
[ Laughter ]
But we saw all kinds of stuff. It wasn't just plants.
Yeah, but you know what? Most of those on the table are groceries and --
Groceries? Groceries. When we --
Because the greenhouse took up where I could store stuff.
How often do y'all have visitors when they come? None!
Excuse me. I'm sorry. None.
[ Laughter ]
I just felt like my aunt was talking to me then.
[ Laughing ] I'm sorry.
"Can I have some candy?" "None!"
[ Laughter ]
She doesn't want visitors.
Why do I not want them?
[ Laughter ]
I'm sorry.
No. Pick me. Okay, you. Okay.
'Cause they ain't got nowhere to sit!
[ Laughter and applause ]
I don't know what. I ain't even in court no more.
I'm in school.
[ Laughter ]
Your Honor, we have a couch.
No. No. And we have a footstool.
No. Mnh-mnh. And we have a chair.
Delmar.
Listen to what you're saying.
-You got a whole house. -Yes.
"We got a couch..." Right.
"...a chair...
and a footstool."
Right.
And I -- "And if company come over,
I'm willing to give up the footstool."
[ Laughter ]
"And if the pastor come by, he can have the chair."
[ Laughter ]
"We got a couch..." Delmar: Right.
"...a chair...
and a footstool."
Right.
And I -- "And if company come over,
I'm willing to give up the footstool."
[ Laughter ]
"And if the pastor come by, he can have the chair."
[ Laughter ]
Show me this video one more time.
Can I see -- Good.
Okay. Show me video.
Yes, this junk has to go.
Greenhouse.
Steve: Stop. Now, Delmar,
this is where you're gonna hang yourself.
Go back to the greenhouse.
Now, you see, it's only about 3 1/2 foot wide --
Yeah, but what is that next to it?
That is the dining-room table.
Don't talk to me like I'm stupid.
[ Laughter ]
The stuff that's on the floor, Delmar!
That's why Ms. Valerie is in here.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Exactly.
Now, what is that on the floor?!
That is bottles of water.
Why is there bottled water on the floor, Mr. Delmar?
'Cause she ain't want it on the table.
No. No. Mnh-mnh.
'Cause there ain't no room!
No. Show the next picture.
Yes.
Where on the table can she put the bottled water?
[ Laughter ]
Roll the rest of the tape.
I got a couple more questions.
Stop right there.
What is that, Delmar? Valerie: Oh, my gosh.
Delmar: Okay. Those buckets right there
is where I cut all my greens off from last season.
And that's the dead debris from it? Right.
That I hadn't cleaned up yet.
Okay, let's move on with the thing.
Now, over -- oh, right there. Let's go over to this fence I seen.
Stop right there. Stop right there.
There we go.
Delmar: Now, you see that dirt spot there where nothing is?
Yeah.
That's where I had something else at, and I tore it down.
Sir...
[ Laughter ]
That's a paragraph filled with no information.
[ Laughter ]
What you want me to do with that, Mr. Delmar?
Now, you see that black container right there?
That's where the top from the garage supposed to go.
Yeah, mm-hmm.
Okay, roll this video a little bit more.
-Okay. -Right there. Stop right there.
Come on, man, talk to me.
What is all that piled up in the corner?
Those are all empty buckets that I use to grow vegetables in.
They're just for backup in case I needed them for something.
[ Laughter ]
[ Laughter continues ]
I wish y'all could see his face.
'Cause when I ask him a question,
I see him creating the answer!
[ Laughter ]
I said, "Mr. Delmar, what is that in the corner?"
"Okay." Valerie: Ah!
[ Laughter and applause ]
"See, that right there is --
Them is buckets.
I keep them right there for backup."
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
"I can't just let these buckets go!"
[ Laughter ]
"They might have to be a garden one day!"
[ Laughter ]
"'Cause she's fixin' to put my ass out."
[ Laughter and applause ]
Let me -- Okay, now, I got to get serious.
Come on, Steve.
Order in the court.
[ Laughter ]
Ms. Valerie...
how has this, uh, clutter affected you, your relationship?
I mean, I-I-I love my husband dearly.
He's a good man.
But when it comes to him and this clutter,
it put a -- some type of barrier there
'cause I got really angry with him at one point.
Do you think this is hoarding?
Yes. That's what it is.
Have you looked into uncluttering your place at all?
Yes.
How so?
We've looked at a decluttering company,
and he gave an estimate of $10,000.
Let me see the estimate.
Prep for removal
and organization.
Team lead. Team assistant.
A handyman.
$10,900.
I think that's in excess. No, it isn't.
I do not owe you $10,000. Yes, you do.
And -- And then some.
I've reached a verdict.
[ Cheers and applause ]
I think you're a nice guy.
But I think you're missing something here.
You think that's your house.
[ Laughter ]
My father told me, "It is your job to buy a house --
it's her job to make it a home."
Woman: Amen. Yep. Yes, sir.
[ Applause ]
You, sir, you're preventing that.
[ Spectators murmur ]
And she looks sad about it.
Mm-hmm.
Now, did you marry her to make her sad,
or did you marry her to make her happy?
I married her to make her happy.
You got to get all this mess up, man.
Women don't like clutter.
Yeah. Mnh-mnh.
Man, when you let a woman do her thing,
she'll show you something.
I'm telling you right now,
you can be a successful man without a woman,
but you will never be a great man without a woman.
-Amen. -Mm-hmm.
Barack Obama is not Barack Obama without Michelle.
Woman: Without Michelle. Yeah.
Ronald Reagan wasn't nothing without Nancy.
Donald Trump --
he still ain't nothing.
[ Laughter and applause ]
Order in the court!
[ Laughter and applause continue ]
Order!
Say such a thing like that!
This is court, damn it!
[ Laughter ]
Say nothing stupid like that in this court.
[ Laughter ]
My verdict is simple. Oh.
I'm gonna grant you your lawsuit
for the entire amount of your estimate
from the cleaning company.
This court is going to give you $10,900.
Oh, yes. Thank you. [ Cheers and applause ]
Mr. Delmar, I'm gonna do something nice for you, sir.
I'm gonna give you $5,000
to put up a greenhouse in your backyard.
[ Cheers and applause ]
That's my verdict.
And that's the way I see it.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪