1 00:00:00,367 --> 00:00:03,266 The car that you're in the middle of test driving breaks down. 2 00:00:03,333 --> 00:00:04,367 Yes, Your Honor. 3 00:00:04,433 --> 00:00:06,266 You say he bought the car. 4 00:00:06,333 --> 00:00:07,533 It was an as-is sale. 5 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:08,734 He could've said no. 6 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:12,767 [Acker] He hasn't even been in the car for what? How long? An hour? 7 00:00:12,834 --> 00:00:13,934 Fifteen minutes, Your Honor. 8 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,033 [Levy] Did your parents raise you to be a thief? 9 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:19,000 -Nope. -[Levy] Absolutely disgusting. 10 00:00:19,066 --> 00:00:21,333 [announcer] Today on Tribunal Justice. 11 00:00:42,467 --> 00:00:45,667 This case was filed in Olympia, Washington. 12 00:00:45,734 --> 00:00:48,700 Your Honor, this is case number 1105 on the calendar 13 00:00:48,767 --> 00:00:51,133 in the matter of London versus Blackwell. 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,433 Parties have been sworn in. You may be seated. 15 00:00:53,500 --> 00:00:54,767 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -[Byrd] Mm-hmm. 16 00:00:54,834 --> 00:00:58,200 Mr. London, the Defendant was selling her car online. 17 00:00:58,266 --> 00:01:03,633 You saw the ad. It was a 2000 BMW E46. 18 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:07,066 So, you made arrangements to meet her. 19 00:01:07,133 --> 00:01:10,333 You, ma'am, did not have the title with you, 20 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,633 so what you agreed to do, sir, was give her the money, 21 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:16,033 and you wanna take the car on the test drive. 22 00:01:16,100 --> 00:01:17,834 So the two of you make arrangements... 23 00:01:17,900 --> 00:01:20,233 -Mm-hmm. -...to drive back to her home... 24 00:01:20,300 --> 00:01:21,500 -Mm-hmm. -...to get the title. 25 00:01:21,567 --> 00:01:23,233 In the course of doing that, 26 00:01:23,300 --> 00:01:27,066 you say the car that you're in the middle of test driving breaks down. 27 00:01:27,133 --> 00:01:28,133 Yes, Your Honor. 28 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,300 I note that both of you submitted evidence in this case, 29 00:01:31,367 --> 00:01:33,066 but no one has the ad? 30 00:01:33,133 --> 00:01:36,000 She deleted it right away before the police got there. 31 00:01:36,066 --> 00:01:38,300 Did the ad say that the car was in good condition? 32 00:01:38,366 --> 00:01:41,200 The ad said that it was running in great condition 33 00:01:41,265 --> 00:01:43,000 and it had no issues at all. 34 00:01:43,066 --> 00:01:45,800 Do you recall what language you used in the ad? 35 00:01:45,866 --> 00:01:48,734 Same thing as he's saying. Um, it ran and drove fine. 36 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:52,300 Drivable condition, runs in good condition. Good condition. 37 00:01:52,366 --> 00:01:53,767 I drove it to work every day. 38 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,000 We have a picture of the car. Can we see that on the monitor, please? 39 00:01:57,066 --> 00:01:59,366 Was that the condition of the car when you saw it? 40 00:01:59,433 --> 00:02:01,367 Did it kind of roughly look like that? 41 00:02:01,433 --> 00:02:04,734 It looked great cosmetically. Inside there was a bunch of issues. 42 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,934 I was starting to go through it, and I started to move stuff over 43 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:09,967 so I could get ready for this test drive. 44 00:02:10,032 --> 00:02:11,000 The passenger seat didn't work, 45 00:02:11,066 --> 00:02:13,567 so she starts grabbing money out of the money I gave her, 46 00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:15,734 and starts throwing it at me. "Oh, that'll fix it. Here you go." 47 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,734 Oh, you mean she was offering you a refund for some things? 48 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,966 -Yeah, for some of the problems... -I gave him a hundred dollars, 49 00:02:23,033 --> 00:02:24,466 since the motor didn't work in the passenger seat. 50 00:02:24,533 --> 00:02:25,533 [John] And then, uh... 51 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,800 So what was the total price that the two of you agreed on for the car? 52 00:02:28,867 --> 00:02:30,433 [John] It was 4,700, Your Honor. 53 00:02:30,500 --> 00:02:32,767 So now, according to your complaint, 54 00:02:32,834 --> 00:02:34,834 what you say is that you're nervous 55 00:02:34,900 --> 00:02:37,400 about speeding up to try to keep up with her 56 00:02:37,466 --> 00:02:39,033 because you've got your child in the car. 57 00:02:39,100 --> 00:02:40,100 Yes, Your Honor. 58 00:02:40,166 --> 00:02:43,466 But, by the same token, you can't keep up with her because what? 59 00:02:43,533 --> 00:02:46,600 I can't keep up with her, Your Honor, because at that point, 60 00:02:46,667 --> 00:02:49,667 the wheel bearing is finally starting to heat up. 61 00:02:49,734 --> 00:02:53,133 You can hear it. You can smell it. And also on the freeway, Your Honor, 62 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,500 it seized on me twice, kicking the car out. 63 00:02:55,567 --> 00:02:57,600 I'm-- I get off. The quickest exit that I can. 64 00:02:57,667 --> 00:02:58,934 Drive as slow as I can. 65 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,367 [Acker] All right, so then you're now pulled over on the side of the road. 66 00:03:02,433 --> 00:03:04,734 -You reach out to the Defendant. -Mm-hmm. 67 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,166 And you're like, "I'm trying to do this test drive. 68 00:03:08,233 --> 00:03:09,600 I'm on the side of the road. 69 00:03:09,667 --> 00:03:11,667 And this car-- the car's broken down." 70 00:03:11,734 --> 00:03:14,400 -And what does she say to you? -She tries to help at first. 71 00:03:14,467 --> 00:03:17,466 Until I got to the point where I told her, 72 00:03:17,533 --> 00:03:20,767 "I will gladly tow your car home. I will pay that expense for you. 73 00:03:20,834 --> 00:03:22,233 But I'd like my refund." And... 74 00:03:22,300 --> 00:03:24,100 And your position, Ms. Blackwell, 75 00:03:24,166 --> 00:03:26,966 was that the transaction was already consummated. 76 00:03:27,033 --> 00:03:28,834 -Mm-hmm. Yes. -[Acker] And so no refund? 77 00:03:28,900 --> 00:03:32,133 But then you did say at some point, am I right, 78 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:36,333 that you were willing to repurchase the car for $1,000. 79 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,900 -Yes. -So you would give him $1,000 back. 80 00:03:38,966 --> 00:03:43,233 And take the car back, so he's out $3,700. 81 00:03:43,300 --> 00:03:45,433 -Yes. -Why did that seem fair to you? 82 00:03:45,500 --> 00:03:47,133 Because on the bill of sale it says $1,000. 83 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,400 When did you give him the bill of sale? 84 00:03:49,466 --> 00:03:51,633 Right when he came and he looked over the car. 85 00:03:51,700 --> 00:03:53,466 He said it looked fine. He scanned it with his tool. 86 00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:55,200 He said if something was wrong, it would've popped up. 87 00:03:55,266 --> 00:03:58,800 Was the bill of sale executed before you took off on the test drive? 88 00:03:58,867 --> 00:04:02,533 She gave me the bill of sale for security purposes 89 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,467 so that it wasn't stolen as a reassurance. 90 00:04:05,533 --> 00:04:08,600 And it wasn't even a bill of sale. It was just a marking, a paper. 91 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:11,166 -But you didn't get the title until when? -No. 92 00:04:11,233 --> 00:04:13,867 Until I filed the lawsuit and she sent it. 93 00:04:13,934 --> 00:04:16,367 What did you learn about the condition of the car? 94 00:04:16,433 --> 00:04:18,533 When I brought the car home, I'm a mechanic. 95 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,834 I'm in the BMW world, so I have a lot of friends. 96 00:04:20,899 --> 00:04:24,066 I found out both of the front wheel bearings were seized. 97 00:04:24,133 --> 00:04:28,332 The suspension in the front, someone tampered with, uh, the springs, 98 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,233 so the springs weren't even really there. 99 00:04:30,300 --> 00:04:33,433 Can we see the Carfax, please? 100 00:04:33,500 --> 00:04:35,633 So, Ms. Blackwell, what were you up to? 101 00:04:35,700 --> 00:04:37,967 'Cause you knew that this car had a salvaged title. 102 00:04:38,033 --> 00:04:39,433 -You knew it had been rebuilt. -Yes. 103 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:41,233 [Acker] But you didn't disclose that on your ad. 104 00:04:41,300 --> 00:04:42,332 -Yes. -No, you didn't. 105 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,000 Because when I said to you at the beginning of this case, 106 00:04:45,066 --> 00:04:46,467 "What did you say about the car?" 107 00:04:46,533 --> 00:04:49,867 you said, "I said it was in good condition and drivable condition." 108 00:04:49,933 --> 00:04:51,700 -You did not disclose it was salvaged. -Yes. 109 00:04:51,767 --> 00:04:54,500 -I put it in the listing, Your Honor. -[Acker] Did you? Did she? 110 00:04:54,567 --> 00:04:57,332 -Yes. I even messaged him. -Um, she messaged me about it. 111 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,500 I didn't see it in the listing. I had to privately message her about it. 112 00:05:00,567 --> 00:05:02,300 -She messaged you before the test drive? -Yes. 113 00:05:02,367 --> 00:05:04,734 That it was salvaged, so you knew it was a salvaged vehicle? 114 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:07,300 -I knew it was a salvaged vehicle. -How long had you had this car? 115 00:05:07,367 --> 00:05:09,967 -At least six months. -Why were you selling the car? 116 00:05:10,033 --> 00:05:12,934 [Alyssa] I had bought a new car. I just did not need it anymore. 117 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,467 You just up and bought a new car. What do you do for a living? 118 00:05:15,533 --> 00:05:16,934 I work on a fishing boat. 119 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,533 So did you think that... 120 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,800 He has no title. He has no proof of ownership. 121 00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:26,100 He hasn't even been in the car for what? How long? An hour? 122 00:05:26,166 --> 00:05:29,600 -More than 15 minutes, Your Honor. -He's been in the car for 15 minutes. 123 00:05:29,667 --> 00:05:33,000 And you thought it was appropriate to say, "I'm gonna take the car back, 124 00:05:33,066 --> 00:05:35,100 keep $3,700 of your money, 125 00:05:35,166 --> 00:05:37,000 and send you on your way"? 126 00:05:37,066 --> 00:05:39,200 Then what were you gonna do? Try to sell the car again? 127 00:05:39,266 --> 00:05:41,000 No, I would've fixed whatever's wrong with it. 128 00:05:41,066 --> 00:05:42,400 They're $40 parts, Your Honor. 129 00:05:42,467 --> 00:05:45,734 While you kept $3,700 of his money. That's kind of an expensive rental. 130 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:49,567 It would've been like $3,700 every 15 minutes. 131 00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:51,533 That's kind of a wild transaction. 132 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,900 Um, I think my colleagues have some questions. 133 00:05:53,967 --> 00:05:56,533 -Judge DiMango. -[DiMango] Yeah, I do. 134 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,467 I'm gonna start with your complaint. 'Cause I think you bought the car. 135 00:05:59,533 --> 00:06:02,300 I mean, you said you really just looked at it, 136 00:06:02,367 --> 00:06:05,567 but according to what I read in the papers, 137 00:06:05,633 --> 00:06:08,500 you had a scanning device which you used to scan the engine of the car. 138 00:06:08,567 --> 00:06:09,567 Of course. 139 00:06:09,633 --> 00:06:10,800 'Cause you're holding yourself out 140 00:06:10,867 --> 00:06:13,433 as somebody who is more knowledgeable than the average person, sir... 141 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:14,500 Yes, Your Honor. 142 00:06:14,567 --> 00:06:17,100 ...about BMW's specifically, not just vehicles. 143 00:06:17,166 --> 00:06:19,000 So now, as I understand it, 144 00:06:19,066 --> 00:06:23,266 the problem that has brought you all here, initially at least, 145 00:06:23,332 --> 00:06:26,767 -was what you're calling the seized... -Wheel bearing. Yes, ma'am. 146 00:06:26,834 --> 00:06:28,400 Now, a seized wheel bearing. 147 00:06:28,467 --> 00:06:31,433 You take off the tire, you fix it, you put it back on. 148 00:06:31,500 --> 00:06:33,800 -And the car goes. That's the issue. -Mm-hmm. 149 00:06:33,867 --> 00:06:35,467 You know what, I checked with a mechanic. 150 00:06:35,533 --> 00:06:37,567 Five, six hundred dollars, maybe, to do that. 151 00:06:37,633 --> 00:06:39,767 -[John] Yes, Your Honor. -That doesn't undo the car working. 152 00:06:39,834 --> 00:06:41,433 The car had no real issues. 153 00:06:41,500 --> 00:06:43,266 All it had was a seized bearing, 154 00:06:43,332 --> 00:06:46,166 which could have been caused by-- you would know better 155 00:06:46,233 --> 00:06:48,900 'cause... it could have been caused by hitting a pothole. 156 00:06:48,967 --> 00:06:51,266 So the reality here is, in my view, 157 00:06:51,332 --> 00:06:54,433 that perhaps the only real problem with this car 158 00:06:54,500 --> 00:06:58,467 was that this wheel bearing seized on you during this drive. 159 00:06:58,533 --> 00:07:01,500 Not good, but not necessarily something 160 00:07:01,567 --> 00:07:04,166 that would've been an intentionally hidden defect, 161 00:07:04,233 --> 00:07:06,033 so I'm not sure that that's something 162 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:10,600 that could be intentionally manipulated by a seller, so let me put that aside. 163 00:07:10,667 --> 00:07:13,934 Because what you do say, Mr. Car Expert, 164 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:17,166 on page 11 of the Defendant's evidence, 165 00:07:17,233 --> 00:07:19,767 that you're communicating with her and negotiating. 166 00:07:19,834 --> 00:07:21,000 -Mm-hmm. -And you say... 167 00:07:21,066 --> 00:07:26,000 "I'd take 1,500 for all the damages and time wasted, 168 00:07:26,066 --> 00:07:27,600 and I'll cancel the case." 169 00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:30,700 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice... 170 00:07:30,767 --> 00:07:33,933 You're both deceiving DMV by saying $1,000, 171 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,500 so you have to pay less tax, right? You both did that. 172 00:07:36,567 --> 00:07:38,133 That's what she put on there, Your Honor. 173 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:39,900 Well, she wrote it down, but you didn't say, 174 00:07:39,967 --> 00:07:43,400 "No, no, let's be truthful about this. I paid $4,800 for the car." 175 00:07:43,467 --> 00:07:44,467 -Mm-hmm. -Right? 176 00:07:44,533 --> 00:07:47,000 So, you have a little bit of unclean hands in that as well. 177 00:07:47,066 --> 00:07:48,066 Yes, Your Honor. 178 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:49,633 [dramatic music plays] 179 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:54,767 [dramatic music plays] 180 00:07:54,834 --> 00:07:58,834 [announcer] John London is suing private seller Alyssa Blackwell 181 00:07:58,900 --> 00:08:03,433 for the cost of a 2000 BMW and emotional distress. 182 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:08,367 Alyssa claims John inspected the car and bought it as-is. 183 00:08:08,433 --> 00:08:11,166 What you do say, Mr. Car Expert, 184 00:08:11,233 --> 00:08:16,133 "I'd take $1,500 for all the damages and time wasted, 185 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:17,867 and I'll cancel the case." 186 00:08:17,934 --> 00:08:19,066 Yes, Your Honor. Um, I-- 187 00:08:19,133 --> 00:08:20,567 [DiMango] Now you say that 'cause the car works. 188 00:08:20,633 --> 00:08:23,100 -Well, yeah, the engine works, for sure. -[DiMango] Everything works. 189 00:08:23,166 --> 00:08:25,767 So if we were to say to you give the car back to her... 190 00:08:25,834 --> 00:08:28,734 -You wouldn't want to do that, would you? -I would. Gladly. 191 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:30,967 I want no connections with the car at all. 192 00:08:31,033 --> 00:08:33,799 But that's not what you're asking for in your remedy here. 193 00:08:33,866 --> 00:08:36,967 I'm asking for my money back and my time 194 00:08:37,033 --> 00:08:39,433 and everything. I'm not asking to keep the car, Your Honor. 195 00:08:39,500 --> 00:08:42,066 -[DiMango] Well, where is the car? -The car is parked at a Safeway. 196 00:08:42,133 --> 00:08:44,967 How did you get the car from there to the Safeway? 197 00:08:45,033 --> 00:08:47,133 I towed it. I paid six to seven hundred dollars. 198 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:48,800 And how long's it been sitting in Safeway? 199 00:08:48,867 --> 00:08:50,800 Um, since October 29th. 200 00:08:50,867 --> 00:08:54,066 So the car is like sitting there not getting in any better shape. 201 00:08:54,133 --> 00:08:56,900 And that car looks good. It drives well, 202 00:08:56,967 --> 00:08:59,633 as you've said, because you didn't have any engine issues. 203 00:08:59,700 --> 00:09:02,000 All you had here was a breakdown in the ti-- 204 00:09:02,066 --> 00:09:04,633 Now, listen, Ms. Blackwell, I'm not a fan 205 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:08,233 of people who sell things that are defective 206 00:09:08,300 --> 00:09:11,166 or intentionally try to, uh, for lack of a better word, 207 00:09:11,233 --> 00:09:13,800 scam or defraud a purchaser or anybody actually. 208 00:09:13,867 --> 00:09:16,600 -Yes. -But I'm not quite sure I see that here. 209 00:09:16,667 --> 00:09:19,600 I see a knowledgeable car mechanic 210 00:09:19,667 --> 00:09:23,300 purchasing a vehicle that he checked out mechanically with you, 211 00:09:23,367 --> 00:09:24,734 paid you in full, 212 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,700 you're both deceiving DMV 213 00:09:26,767 --> 00:09:29,734 by saying $1,000 so you have to pay less tax. 214 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:30,834 Right? You both did that? 215 00:09:30,900 --> 00:09:32,367 That's what she put on there, Your Honor. 216 00:09:32,433 --> 00:09:34,667 [DiMango] Well, she wrote it down, but you didn't say, "No, no. 217 00:09:34,734 --> 00:09:37,367 Let's be truthful about this. I paid $4,800 for the car." 218 00:09:37,433 --> 00:09:38,433 -Mm-hmm. Yeah. -Right? 219 00:09:38,500 --> 00:09:40,767 So you have a little bit of unclean hands in that as well. 220 00:09:40,834 --> 00:09:41,834 [John] Yes, Your Honor. 221 00:09:41,900 --> 00:09:44,800 So you understand, however, that a sale is as-is, correct? 222 00:09:44,867 --> 00:09:47,367 If it's included in the title, uh, or in the title at closing. 223 00:09:47,433 --> 00:09:48,667 [DiMango] You're lying to me. You know it-- You know-- 224 00:09:48,734 --> 00:09:51,767 Never mind. You know. You know darn well. Don't play that game with me right now. 225 00:09:51,834 --> 00:09:53,800 So she did say the car was in running condition. 226 00:09:53,867 --> 00:09:55,165 She didn't mis-advertise. 227 00:09:55,233 --> 00:09:56,767 It was in good running condition. 228 00:09:56,834 --> 00:10:01,700 The only problem that you had here was the fact that you had the wheel issue. 229 00:10:01,767 --> 00:10:04,033 So you would've taken $1,500, 230 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:06,200 and you still would've kept the car, correct? 231 00:10:06,266 --> 00:10:09,467 I did that, Your Honor, for legal purposes. 232 00:10:09,533 --> 00:10:11,133 I was told to try to mitigate. 233 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:13,300 What you were saying was, "I'm willing to keep this car 234 00:10:13,367 --> 00:10:18,133 because in my mind, it's worth $3,300 or 4,000, 235 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:20,100 not the 48 that I paid you." 236 00:10:20,166 --> 00:10:22,033 Judge, uh, Levy, please. 237 00:10:22,100 --> 00:10:24,033 Yeah, if-- To follow up on your point, 238 00:10:24,567 --> 00:10:27,600 so when you said that you would take back $1,500... 239 00:10:27,667 --> 00:10:29,600 -Mm-hmm. -...for the damages and what have you, 240 00:10:29,667 --> 00:10:32,266 that was $1,500 from the Defendant and you keep the car? 241 00:10:32,333 --> 00:10:33,200 Yes, Your Honor. 242 00:10:33,266 --> 00:10:34,600 [Levy] At that point, you still wanted the car? 243 00:10:34,667 --> 00:10:36,200 -At that point, yes. -[Levy] Okay. 244 00:10:36,266 --> 00:10:39,667 And how much... I know Judge DiMango said that based upon her research 245 00:10:39,734 --> 00:10:42,066 it would cost, uh, you know, four or five hundred bucks 246 00:10:42,133 --> 00:10:43,133 to fix that wheel bearing, 247 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:45,734 and in your expertise, how much would that cost? 248 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:48,100 If I do it myself, it'd cost like 200 bucks. 249 00:10:48,165 --> 00:10:49,467 -[Levy] Right. Exactly. -If that. 250 00:10:49,533 --> 00:10:51,600 [Levy] At the same time, Ms. Blackwell, you said that 251 00:10:51,667 --> 00:10:53,600 you've been driving this car and you had no problems with it. 252 00:10:53,667 --> 00:10:55,700 -Yes. -[Levy] And you said you were driving 253 00:10:55,767 --> 00:10:57,567 that car, I think you said, back and forth to work. 254 00:10:57,633 --> 00:11:00,200 -Yes. Every day. -And every day for about six months. 255 00:11:00,266 --> 00:11:01,266 [Alyssa] At least, yes. 256 00:11:01,333 --> 00:11:05,700 [Levy] Then can you explain to me how it is that you had the car 257 00:11:05,767 --> 00:11:09,867 for over six months, but the Carfax have you purchasing it on August 24th, 258 00:11:09,934 --> 00:11:11,233 2022? 259 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:14,500 [Alyssa] I bought it probably a month or two beforehand. 260 00:11:14,567 --> 00:11:16,300 And then I went to Alaska to go work, 261 00:11:16,367 --> 00:11:18,200 and then I put it in my name when I got back. 262 00:11:18,266 --> 00:11:21,767 On the title of the vehicle, when you say it wasn't in your name, the title... 263 00:11:21,834 --> 00:11:23,200 -[Alyssa] Mm-hmm. -Let's do this. 264 00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:25,934 Go ahead. Take a look. 265 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,934 What date was it that the vehicle was titled? 266 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,100 [Alyssa] The 31st of August. 267 00:11:30,166 --> 00:11:33,400 So what's this nonsense about you telling me that you had the car 268 00:11:33,467 --> 00:11:36,266 and you were driving around with it since July or before? 269 00:11:36,333 --> 00:11:37,900 I just didn't have it in my name prior. 270 00:11:37,967 --> 00:11:39,200 So you were illegally driving the car around? 271 00:11:39,266 --> 00:11:40,266 Yes. 272 00:11:40,333 --> 00:11:43,433 [Levy] And you know that someone like the Plaintiff in his position 273 00:11:43,500 --> 00:11:46,233 would most certainly think it was a big benefit to him 274 00:11:46,300 --> 00:11:49,066 for him to spend $4,700 on a car, 275 00:11:49,633 --> 00:11:53,200 and you only put $1,000 down on the bill of sale, right? 276 00:11:53,266 --> 00:11:55,033 -Yes, for his benefit. -[Levy] Tell me... 277 00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:57,500 Why would someone in the Plaintiff's position 278 00:11:57,567 --> 00:12:01,567 be so thankful for you putting $1,000 on the bill of sale? 279 00:12:01,633 --> 00:12:03,967 He didn't have to be thankful. He could've said no. 280 00:12:04,033 --> 00:12:06,433 I said, "Here. I'm gonna write down $1,000 for you 281 00:12:06,500 --> 00:12:09,033 so you don't get screwed by taxes." He said, "Okay. Thank you." 282 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:11,767 Taxes. So now what you're saying to him is because I'm the kind of person 283 00:12:11,834 --> 00:12:14,033 who doesn't mind committing crimes, 284 00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:16,000 let me add, on top of that, tax fraud. 285 00:12:16,066 --> 00:12:18,100 -You have no problem with that, do you? -I do. 286 00:12:18,166 --> 00:12:19,900 Really? 'Cause it doesn't seem like it. 287 00:12:19,967 --> 00:12:22,333 'Cause if you did, you'd have given him back his money. 288 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,166 -But you didn't, right? -No. 289 00:12:24,233 --> 00:12:26,967 You could've given him $1,500 to make the whole thing go away, 290 00:12:27,033 --> 00:12:30,233 to mitigate the damages, and you were basically, "Too bad." 291 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:32,133 'Cause you're smarter than he is, right? 292 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,200 Now, October 29th, 293 00:12:34,266 --> 00:12:36,133 he gets into the car at 5:10. 294 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:39,200 And by 5:34, he's telling you to please pull over. 295 00:12:39,266 --> 00:12:41,100 -That's 24 minutes. -[Alyssa] Mm-hmm. 296 00:12:41,165 --> 00:12:44,533 Now, something else that... On the certificate of title again, 297 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:45,867 take a look. 298 00:12:46,867 --> 00:12:49,333 -What's that? I just circled that. -My signature. 299 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:51,133 -[Levy] Is that your name? -Yes. 300 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,165 Oh, without my last name, no. 301 00:12:53,233 --> 00:12:55,100 On the vehicle certificate of title, 302 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,333 this is the one that you signed over to him. 303 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:00,100 -Right? Right here. It's October 29th. -Yes. 304 00:13:00,166 --> 00:13:02,300 [Levy] And this is where you falsify that document 305 00:13:02,367 --> 00:13:05,700 by putting a thousand dollars even though you got $4,700, right? 306 00:13:05,767 --> 00:13:06,767 Yes. 307 00:13:06,834 --> 00:13:09,800 So you really conspired to commit tax fraud. 308 00:13:09,867 --> 00:13:11,100 I matched the bill of sale, yes. 309 00:13:11,166 --> 00:13:12,166 Yeah. 310 00:13:13,467 --> 00:13:17,934 This is a text thread from you and a friend 311 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:21,000 who claimed to have seen the Plaintiff driving the car. 312 00:13:21,066 --> 00:13:23,333 -[Alyssa] Yes. -Why did you produce this as evidence? 313 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:25,533 [Alyssa] Because he's saying he left the car at a Safeway 314 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:29,200 after he got it towed, but my friend said he's seen it in his driveway. 315 00:13:29,266 --> 00:13:31,934 All right, let me explain to you what I get from this. 316 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,165 -Yes. -[Levy] So... 317 00:13:33,233 --> 00:13:35,433 Your friend tells you, "Did you sell the car?" 318 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:36,800 You said, "Yeah, I did. 319 00:13:36,867 --> 00:13:39,567 Plaintiff broke it driving and then asked for his money back, 320 00:13:39,633 --> 00:13:40,667 and I told him no." 321 00:13:40,734 --> 00:13:43,333 -[Alyssa] Yes. -"Tried to say I sold it to him broken." 322 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,233 -Yes. -[Levy] Your friend to you. 323 00:13:45,300 --> 00:13:47,100 -Calls him a clown. -Yes. 324 00:13:47,165 --> 00:13:49,133 And your response is "Yeah, he is." 325 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,767 -Yes. -[Levy] This is the important part to me. 326 00:13:51,834 --> 00:13:53,333 You then say, "I still have the title." 327 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:54,400 Yes. 328 00:13:54,467 --> 00:13:56,867 [Levy] On October 30th, you still have the title. 329 00:13:56,934 --> 00:13:57,934 Yes. 330 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:00,100 You produced this document today, didn't you? 331 00:14:00,166 --> 00:14:02,667 The... Me reporting it sold. Yes. 332 00:14:02,734 --> 00:14:04,834 Who'd you report this to? DMV? 333 00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:05,834 [Alyssa] DMV, yes. 334 00:14:05,900 --> 00:14:08,266 [Levy] Take a look at the document that you provided to us today 335 00:14:08,333 --> 00:14:11,800 and tell me when it was that you told the DMV 336 00:14:11,867 --> 00:14:14,233 that this transaction had been consummated. 337 00:14:14,300 --> 00:14:15,200 The 29th. 338 00:14:15,266 --> 00:14:19,066 [Levy] How can you consummate the deal on the 29th to DMV 339 00:14:19,133 --> 00:14:22,066 when, on the 30th, you still had the title? 340 00:14:22,133 --> 00:14:25,633 And you lie again to the DMV and say the deal was done. 341 00:14:25,700 --> 00:14:27,767 -How does that work? -Uh, it does not. 342 00:14:27,834 --> 00:14:29,834 [Levy] Like how were you brought up? 343 00:14:29,900 --> 00:14:32,233 Did your parents raise you to be a thief? 344 00:14:32,300 --> 00:14:35,100 -A liar? A tax scammer? -No. Nope. 345 00:14:35,165 --> 00:14:37,333 [Levy] Your folks are gonna be so proud of you. 346 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:39,700 If you were my kid, you'd disgust me. 347 00:14:40,266 --> 00:14:41,533 Absolutely disgusting. 348 00:14:42,734 --> 00:14:44,767 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice... 349 00:14:44,834 --> 00:14:49,300 Did you specifically hear the Plaintiff use the word "test drive" 350 00:14:49,367 --> 00:14:52,900 in relation to following the Defendant to pick up the title? 351 00:14:52,967 --> 00:14:54,133 Yes, Your Honor, I did. 352 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:58,567 And did the Defendant ever acknowledge that this was just a test drive? 353 00:14:58,633 --> 00:15:02,300 And I'll remind you you are under oath. You've already been sworn in this case. 354 00:15:02,367 --> 00:15:04,066 [dramatic music plays] 355 00:15:07,367 --> 00:15:09,300 [dramatic music plays] 356 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,166 I'm gonna talk about the bill of sale, the one that you fraudulently created. 357 00:15:14,233 --> 00:15:18,400 This is it, Ms. Smarty Pants, right? October 29th, 2022. 358 00:15:18,467 --> 00:15:21,100 Now in the state of Washington, a bill of sale, in order to be valid, 359 00:15:21,166 --> 00:15:23,133 also has to have a registration number. 360 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:24,200 I was not aware of that. 361 00:15:24,266 --> 00:15:27,133 It also needs a seller's address to be valid. 362 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,600 -I was not aware... -It needs a buyer's address to be valid. 363 00:15:29,667 --> 00:15:32,266 And it needs a seller's signature to be valid. 364 00:15:32,333 --> 00:15:35,100 -None of those are on this form, right? -[Alyssa] No. 365 00:15:36,734 --> 00:15:38,467 Bill of sale, gone. 366 00:15:39,767 --> 00:15:41,533 You should've paid him the fifteen hundred bucks. 367 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:42,600 I have nothing further. 368 00:15:43,467 --> 00:15:45,400 When was the last time you drove the car? 369 00:15:45,467 --> 00:15:49,834 I had it dropped off on the 30th, uh, at 3 a.m., in the morning. 370 00:15:49,900 --> 00:15:52,066 -The 30th of October? -[John] The 30th of October. 371 00:15:52,133 --> 00:15:55,165 So it's your testimony that between the time... 372 00:15:55,233 --> 00:15:57,433 -[John] Mm-hmm. -...you picked the car up from her, 373 00:15:57,500 --> 00:15:59,633 -you'd only driven the car once? -Yes, ma'am. 374 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:03,200 You have a witness here, and I think I'd like to hear from her. 375 00:16:03,266 --> 00:16:05,433 -Who is your witness? -It's, uh, Ms. Angel Wright. 376 00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:06,967 And what does she have to offer? 377 00:16:07,033 --> 00:16:08,333 Her recollection of the whole event. 378 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:10,533 -[Acker] Was she with you...? -She was with me the whole time. 379 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:13,900 -And how do you know this witness. -Uh, I met her first through work, 380 00:16:13,967 --> 00:16:17,467 and then family friends. I help take care of her kids sometimes. 381 00:16:17,533 --> 00:16:20,467 Ma'am, I'm sorry. Will you state your name for the record again, please? 382 00:16:20,533 --> 00:16:22,100 My name is Angel Wright. 383 00:16:22,166 --> 00:16:25,200 [Acker] So what part of this transaction did you witness 384 00:16:25,266 --> 00:16:27,800 or about which do you have any firsthand knowledge? 385 00:16:27,867 --> 00:16:30,200 So we-- we ended up getting there 386 00:16:30,266 --> 00:16:33,500 to see the vehicle, and John looked over the vehicle 387 00:16:33,567 --> 00:16:35,533 while I watched his child for him. 388 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:39,066 Then they concocted the bill of sale together, 389 00:16:39,133 --> 00:16:43,867 and once we get there, she informs us that she had left the title 390 00:16:43,934 --> 00:16:46,233 at her residence down in Tacoma. 391 00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:49,667 And I heard her specifically say that it was perfectly fine 392 00:16:49,734 --> 00:16:52,967 that John test drove the vehicle down to Tacoma 393 00:16:53,033 --> 00:16:54,533 to see if he even wanted it. 394 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,033 [Acker] Let me interrupt you for a moment. Did you specifically hear 395 00:16:58,100 --> 00:17:01,000 the Plaintiff use the word "test drive" 396 00:17:01,066 --> 00:17:04,233 in relation to following the Defendant to pick up the title? 397 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:05,834 Yes, Your Honor, I did. 398 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:08,467 [Acker] And did the Defendant ever acknowledge 399 00:17:08,532 --> 00:17:10,266 that this was just a test drive? 400 00:17:10,333 --> 00:17:14,066 And I'll remind you you are under oath. You've already been sworn in this case. 401 00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:16,066 Yes, I am aware that I've already been sworn in, 402 00:17:16,133 --> 00:17:17,400 and I am telling the truth. 403 00:17:17,467 --> 00:17:20,300 He said, "I would like to take it for a test drive down to Tacoma," 404 00:17:20,367 --> 00:17:21,532 and she said, "Okay, that's fine." 405 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:23,800 [Acker] I don't have any further questions. My colleagues? 406 00:17:23,867 --> 00:17:25,666 [DiMango] I'm sorry. I do have one more. 407 00:17:25,733 --> 00:17:29,200 You can't drive a car with a seized wheel bearing, can you? 408 00:17:29,266 --> 00:17:30,667 -No. Yeah. -You can't. The car stops. 409 00:17:30,734 --> 00:17:32,500 So, when you answered Judge Acker 410 00:17:32,567 --> 00:17:34,800 when you said you got the car back on the 29th... 411 00:17:34,867 --> 00:17:37,266 But you-- the last time you drove it was on the 30th. 412 00:17:37,333 --> 00:17:39,233 That was after the tires seized. 413 00:17:39,300 --> 00:17:41,800 How could you drive a car with a seized tire? You can't. 414 00:17:41,867 --> 00:17:44,333 It's not like a flat where the tire turns. 415 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:47,133 Oh, it'll go. It just hella screams. 416 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:49,834 What happened is there's no grease inside. The grease burnt out. 417 00:17:49,900 --> 00:17:52,000 And I believe it's from the car sittin' there 418 00:17:52,066 --> 00:17:55,200 for, I don't know, maybe three months. Uh, that's what it seems like. 419 00:17:55,266 --> 00:17:56,667 So when it heats up, it's metal on metal. 420 00:17:56,734 --> 00:17:58,467 [DiMango] When you bought this car, you're saying it was sitting there. 421 00:17:58,533 --> 00:18:01,166 You-- you knew enough to ask her about the use of the car. 422 00:18:01,233 --> 00:18:04,300 You s-- You keep playing stupid and smart at the same time. 423 00:18:04,367 --> 00:18:07,533 So you knew that there were issues that arise in a vehicle 424 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:11,233 that's been left unattended and sitting unused for a while. 425 00:18:11,300 --> 00:18:12,333 You do know that. 426 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:14,266 Your Honor, that's my-- that's my own assumption, 427 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:15,400 that the vehicle was sitting there. 428 00:18:15,467 --> 00:18:18,033 Oh, you're assuming that. So you just testified to something, 429 00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:19,767 you assume that the car was sitting there. 430 00:18:19,834 --> 00:18:22,700 She testified she uses it. Now you're saying it's sitting there, 431 00:18:22,767 --> 00:18:25,533 and that's why this-- All right. I think I h-- I have enough information. 432 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:27,734 Thank you, everyone. We're gonna retire to deliberate. 433 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,266 [Byrd] Court is now in recess. Parties are excused. 434 00:18:32,300 --> 00:18:37,500 She lists the car for sale. She discloses that it's a salvage, uh, vehicle. 435 00:18:37,567 --> 00:18:40,033 I don't think there were any misrepresentations 436 00:18:40,100 --> 00:18:42,400 to the Plaintiff by her. 437 00:18:42,467 --> 00:18:45,967 I think that the misrepresentations that she made to the government, 438 00:18:46,033 --> 00:18:47,000 he was complicit in. 439 00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:49,300 However, for me 440 00:18:49,367 --> 00:18:51,367 there's a very simple resolution to this case, 441 00:18:51,433 --> 00:18:53,300 which is that in their jurisdiction, 442 00:18:53,367 --> 00:18:57,900 the sale of a vehicle is not completed until the title is transferred. 443 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:02,166 He repudiated the deal before the title was transferred, 444 00:19:02,233 --> 00:19:03,600 so, to me, that's the out. 445 00:19:03,667 --> 00:19:07,100 I don't have to go much further than that. I would unwind the sale, full stop. 446 00:19:07,166 --> 00:19:08,166 [DiMango] Well, I agree with you. 447 00:19:08,233 --> 00:19:11,133 First of all, I think she represented everything properly, 448 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:16,000 I think that he was part and parcel of the government scam for the $1,000. 449 00:19:16,066 --> 00:19:18,367 And he bought that car. He wanted that car. 450 00:19:18,433 --> 00:19:20,100 I would give him back some money 451 00:19:20,166 --> 00:19:22,633 'cause he said we would've taken money and would've kept the car, 452 00:19:22,700 --> 00:19:25,066 but I wouldn't give him the 1,500. I would give him, 453 00:19:25,133 --> 00:19:28,967 probably two because he could fix it himself, he said, for two, so... 454 00:19:29,033 --> 00:19:32,066 [sighs] I could absolutely see unwinding the whole deal 455 00:19:32,133 --> 00:19:35,533 based upon the fact that she didn't transfer the title over to him, 456 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,033 she lied about it to DMV, she lied about quite a bit. 457 00:19:38,100 --> 00:19:40,533 You know, he also came into this with unclean hands, 458 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,867 and I don't like that either. He knew what was going down with that $1,000. 459 00:19:43,934 --> 00:19:46,200 The Plaintiff made it clear he was willing to take some money. 460 00:19:46,266 --> 00:19:47,333 He wanted $1,500, 461 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,333 but he said he can do it for 200. 462 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,967 -I'd say we just give him the 200. -[Acker] Two hundred dollars? 463 00:19:52,033 --> 00:19:54,400 [DiMango] All right. I'm good with giving him back $200. 464 00:19:54,467 --> 00:19:56,300 -[Levy] I-I-- Right. -But I think I'm in the dissent. 465 00:19:56,367 --> 00:19:58,100 -I-I would agree with you. -Yeah. 466 00:19:58,166 --> 00:20:00,734 All righty, so we're not unanimous, but we do have a verdict. 467 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:02,066 -Yes. -Okay. Very good. 468 00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:06,300 Court is back in session. 469 00:20:06,367 --> 00:20:08,367 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 470 00:20:08,433 --> 00:20:09,467 [Acker] Thank you, Byrd. 471 00:20:09,533 --> 00:20:13,834 We've deliberated, and we've reached a verdict that is not unanimous. 472 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:17,533 You know, there is a legal provision in your jurisdiction 473 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:22,166 that provides that a sale of a vehicle is not completed 474 00:20:22,233 --> 00:20:26,200 until the title is transferred from the seller to the buyer. 475 00:20:26,266 --> 00:20:28,800 And I was willing to rely on that provision 476 00:20:28,867 --> 00:20:32,467 and wash my hands of this case, but my colleagues saw it differently, 477 00:20:32,533 --> 00:20:35,934 so I am the dissenting opinion in this matter. 478 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,500 It's the verdict of this court 479 00:20:38,567 --> 00:20:43,300 by Judges Levy and DiMango that you pay the Plaintiff $200 480 00:20:43,367 --> 00:20:46,400 in order to address the wheel bearing issues. 481 00:20:46,467 --> 00:20:50,433 And that'll be the end of your obligations to Mr. London, 482 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:52,133 so that's the verdict of this court. 483 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:55,333 Two hundred dollars is to be awarded to the Plaintiff. 484 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:58,467 Good luck to you both. Enjoy the car. We do know that you like it. 485 00:20:58,533 --> 00:21:01,266 And good luck to you on that fishing boat. That's our verdict. 486 00:21:01,867 --> 00:21:04,100 [Byrd] This case is now concluded. Parties are excused. 487 00:21:04,166 --> 00:21:05,734 -You may step out. -[Alyssa] Thank you. 488 00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:11,700 You can't really tell if a wheel bearing's gonna go out or not 489 00:21:11,767 --> 00:21:15,166 unless you're driving it, and then it happens 26 miles down the road, so... 490 00:21:15,233 --> 00:21:19,633 I had offered her, uh, two grand to just give me three grand back, 491 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:21,433 so I could go home. Nothing. 492 00:21:21,500 --> 00:21:23,367 I think they seized up while he was driving it, 493 00:21:23,433 --> 00:21:25,567 and it's just bad timing. 494 00:21:25,633 --> 00:21:28,133 Drive 'em before you-- before you give 'em the money. 495 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:30,400 He seemed to be driving it fine when I saw him. 496 00:21:31,166 --> 00:21:32,400 [announcer] Have you been cheated? 497 00:21:33,033 --> 00:21:36,433 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 498 00:21:36,500 --> 00:21:39,233 Find us on social media at Tribunal Justice. 499 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:42,233 [end theme music plays]