1 00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:02,867 This girl smokes meth and the father of my child smokes meth. 2 00:00:02,934 --> 00:00:03,734 You smoke meth 3 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:05,900 -and I didn't say you smoked… -Girl, you're a liar. 4 00:00:05,967 --> 00:00:07,166 -…in a message. -Girl, you're a liar. 5 00:00:07,233 --> 00:00:10,200 -So, therefore… -[Acker] We're going to stop. 6 00:00:11,233 --> 00:00:14,533 I don't know if you think that the notion is to come here and act out 7 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:16,767 like we're doing one of those ratchet talk shows. 8 00:00:16,834 --> 00:00:17,867 We are not. 9 00:00:17,934 --> 00:00:20,667 [narrator] Today on Tribunal Justice… 10 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,767 This case was filed in San Diego, California. 11 00:00:46,300 --> 00:00:51,567 Your Honor, this is case number 1029A and 1029B. 12 00:00:51,633 --> 00:00:54,734 The first one in the case of Hinton versus Jefferson. 13 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,600 Second, Jefferson versus Hinton. 14 00:00:57,333 --> 00:00:59,633 Parties have been sworn in, you may be seated. 15 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:01,266 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -You're welcome. 16 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:05,967 Ms. Hinton, you are the plaintiff seeking $5,000 17 00:01:06,033 --> 00:01:08,000 from the defendant in case A. 18 00:01:08,066 --> 00:01:10,867 One thousand dollars is the return of a loan 19 00:01:10,934 --> 00:01:12,734 -that you say she won't pay back. -Yeah. 20 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,700 What you tell us is that your child's father's partner 21 00:01:16,767 --> 00:01:19,100 was seeking a restraining order against you. 22 00:01:19,166 --> 00:01:22,265 And the defendant was supposed to testify on your behalf. 23 00:01:22,333 --> 00:01:23,400 She did not. 24 00:01:23,467 --> 00:01:26,367 Your friendship ended and you sought the money back. 25 00:01:26,433 --> 00:01:31,333 And you also allege that she contacted your child's father 26 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,166 against whom you have a restraining order, 27 00:01:33,233 --> 00:01:36,467 gave him your address, put your life in danger. 28 00:01:36,533 --> 00:01:41,800 So your $5,000 claim again is $1,000 for repayment of the loan, 29 00:01:41,866 --> 00:01:44,667 and $4,000 for the emotional stress 30 00:01:44,734 --> 00:01:47,366 that you say was occasioned by the other conduct. 31 00:01:47,433 --> 00:01:52,366 Now, Ms. Jefferson, your defense is that you were absolutely going to pay 32 00:01:52,433 --> 00:01:55,000 the plaintiff back that $1,000, 33 00:01:55,066 --> 00:01:58,467 but she, herself, engaged in her own pattern 34 00:01:58,533 --> 00:02:01,200 of harassing and abusive conduct. 35 00:02:01,266 --> 00:02:05,333 With respect to your failure to testify in the hearing, 36 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,500 you say she wanted you to perjure yourself. 37 00:02:07,567 --> 00:02:10,333 And that because you did not perjure yourself 38 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:13,100 -she became incredibly angry with you... -Mm-hm. 39 00:02:13,166 --> 00:02:17,800 ...and engaged in a horrible campaign of abuse and slander. 40 00:02:17,867 --> 00:02:20,133 So you say you don't owe her any money 41 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:21,633 because at this point, 42 00:02:21,700 --> 00:02:26,333 she has upped the ante so much with a pattern of abusive conduct 43 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:30,966 that you, in fact, claim that you're owed $2,000 for slander. 44 00:02:31,033 --> 00:02:34,533 You claim that she made false CPS allegations against you, 45 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,600 but your defense with respect to those allegations, ma'am, 46 00:02:37,667 --> 00:02:40,934 is that you were simply acting to defend yourself 47 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,500 against her pattern of bad and abusive behavior. 48 00:02:44,567 --> 00:02:45,867 Now, ladies, 49 00:02:45,934 --> 00:02:47,533 before I continue with this, 50 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:48,966 we're gonna have some ground rules. 51 00:02:49,033 --> 00:02:51,367 You are only going to look at the bench. 52 00:02:51,433 --> 00:02:54,066 You will not look at or engage with one another. 53 00:02:54,133 --> 00:02:56,466 I can feel the tension mounting in the room. 54 00:02:56,533 --> 00:02:58,433 We know a lot about what's happened. 55 00:02:58,500 --> 00:03:01,433 The antics that have taken place outside of this courtroom 56 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:02,867 will not take place here. 57 00:03:02,934 --> 00:03:04,734 -Are we clear about that? -Yes, ma'am. 58 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:05,667 -Are we clear? -Yes. 59 00:03:05,734 --> 00:03:07,000 Thank you, both. 60 00:03:07,066 --> 00:03:09,100 We're going to start with case A 61 00:03:09,166 --> 00:03:12,467 because once upon a time, Ms. Hinton, you were friends with the defendant 62 00:03:12,533 --> 00:03:15,000 -and you loaned her the $1,000... -Yes. 63 00:03:15,066 --> 00:03:18,767 ...so her boyfriend could travel to his father's funeral. 64 00:03:18,834 --> 00:03:19,700 -Yes. Yes, ma'am. -Is that correct? 65 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,100 How did you give it to her? Did you write her a check? 66 00:03:22,166 --> 00:03:23,533 -[Hinton] Cash. -[Acker] When? 67 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,867 It was, I wanna say the last week of March. 68 00:03:26,934 --> 00:03:29,834 She had just spent the last of her funds on a Disney cruise, 69 00:03:29,900 --> 00:03:31,333 so her man wouldn't spend it. 70 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:33,533 Then she came back broke and she called me 71 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,667 -and stated that… Oh! -I don't need the extra commentary. 72 00:03:35,734 --> 00:03:37,200 -All I said was "when". -I don't remember the date. 73 00:03:37,266 --> 00:03:38,800 It was the last week of March. 74 00:03:38,867 --> 00:03:40,300 [Acker] Do you recall receiving the money 75 00:03:40,367 --> 00:03:41,800 -around the end of March? -Yes, I do. 76 00:03:41,867 --> 00:03:44,533 And I had just taken my kids on a Disney cruise. 77 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,133 I don't care about the Disney cruise. 78 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,333 I'm going to encourage you both to simply… 79 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,867 -I did not come back broke. -[Acker] I'm going to encourage you both 80 00:03:50,934 --> 00:03:52,500 to respond only to my questions, 81 00:03:52,567 --> 00:03:53,767 -not to one another. -[Jefferson] Okay. 82 00:03:53,834 --> 00:03:58,966 So, I also understand that the friendship fell apart shortly thereafter, Ms. Hinton, 83 00:03:59,033 --> 00:04:02,633 because the defendant didn't testify in a hearing 84 00:04:02,700 --> 00:04:06,533 that involved your child's father's partner. 85 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:07,667 -Correct? -Correct. 86 00:04:07,734 --> 00:04:10,400 -And that woman's name was Nancy. Correct? -Correct. 87 00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:12,867 And Nancy was seeking a restraining order against you? 88 00:04:12,934 --> 00:04:15,166 She had a fraudulent one against me. 89 00:04:15,233 --> 00:04:18,367 What was it that the defendant was going to do? 90 00:04:18,433 --> 00:04:21,033 The defendant was aware of the party, who she was, 91 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:24,500 and I was attempting to, uh, what's the proper word? 92 00:04:24,567 --> 00:04:27,100 -I was trying to, uh… -You were trying to defend yourself 93 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:30,166 -against the restraining order. -I was filing one against her as well. 94 00:04:30,233 --> 00:04:31,934 And I needed her as a witness 95 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,467 because she has came to me and told me things 96 00:04:34,533 --> 00:04:36,100 -about this girl harassment… -Not true. 97 00:04:36,166 --> 00:04:38,033 -[Acker] I'm gonna stop you right there. -Not true. 98 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:40,300 When was the hearing scheduled? 99 00:04:40,367 --> 00:04:43,166 -The hearing was April, the 8th. -[Acker] The hearing was April, the 8th? 100 00:04:43,233 --> 00:04:47,000 Before the hearing you get the $1,000 from the plaintiff 101 00:04:47,066 --> 00:04:49,367 so your boyfriend can travel to the funeral. 102 00:04:49,433 --> 00:04:53,166 And then there is some understanding between the two of you 103 00:04:53,233 --> 00:04:55,533 about your testifying at this hearing? 104 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,266 No. There was no understanding about me testifying… 105 00:04:58,332 --> 00:05:00,166 [Acker] Had the plaintiff ever discussed the hearing? 106 00:05:00,233 --> 00:05:03,233 She asked me to. I did not agree to do that. 107 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:06,133 -[Acker] What did she ask you to do? -She asked me to lie in court 108 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:11,266 and say that her child's father's, um, girlfriend does, um, drugs. 109 00:05:11,333 --> 00:05:12,633 That is not true. 110 00:05:12,700 --> 00:05:14,200 -[Acker] I'm gonna stop. Let's stop... -No, ma'am. 111 00:05:14,266 --> 00:05:16,533 ...because I'm gonna direct your attention 112 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:20,166 to a text message dated March 8th 113 00:05:20,233 --> 00:05:23,800 where you say, "Tell them she smokes meth." 114 00:05:23,867 --> 00:05:25,667 Was that in reference to Nancy? 115 00:05:25,734 --> 00:05:27,266 Yes, she does. Can I state this? 116 00:05:27,332 --> 00:05:29,266 I have evidence from her where she's stating 117 00:05:29,332 --> 00:05:32,066 this girl smokes meth and the father of my child smokes meth. 118 00:05:32,133 --> 00:05:34,200 -She knows this. Everybody knows this. -You smoke meth. 119 00:05:34,266 --> 00:05:35,300 -I didn't say... -[Acker] Okay. 120 00:05:35,367 --> 00:05:38,667 -...that you smoke meth... -Girl, you a liar. You a liar. 121 00:05:38,734 --> 00:05:40,533 We are going to stop. 122 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:44,700 So what we've established thus far 123 00:05:44,767 --> 00:05:48,533 is that you loaned the defendant $1,000. 124 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,133 She was supposed to testify in court 125 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:52,900 because there's another set of text messages, 126 00:05:52,967 --> 00:05:54,800 I believe, the date of the court hearing, 127 00:05:54,867 --> 00:05:57,200 and I believe that's March 30th, 128 00:05:57,266 --> 00:05:59,767 where you tell the defendant, 129 00:05:59,834 --> 00:06:04,367 "Friend, I got court with Nancy today, can you still call in? 130 00:06:04,433 --> 00:06:06,700 I need you, please, to give a statement. 131 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:09,600 I really need a witness, friend." 132 00:06:09,667 --> 00:06:12,633 Now, Ms. Jefferson, was there ever an occasion 133 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:15,667 -where you witnessed Nancy smoking meth? -No. No. 134 00:06:15,734 --> 00:06:17,233 So was it your impression 135 00:06:17,300 --> 00:06:19,967 that the plaintiff wanted you to lie about Nancy? 136 00:06:20,033 --> 00:06:23,066 I didn't know the details of what was going on. 137 00:06:23,133 --> 00:06:24,332 If you even see here, 138 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,900 I never even responded because I don't do that drama. 139 00:06:26,967 --> 00:06:30,367 [Acker] So why didn't you simply respond back 140 00:06:30,433 --> 00:06:34,300 and say, hey, I really don't know what you're talking about 141 00:06:34,367 --> 00:06:36,233 and I don't wanna be a part of this drama? 142 00:06:36,300 --> 00:06:38,100 And the reason I ask you that, 143 00:06:38,166 --> 00:06:41,734 is because it's just a few weeks before you took the $1,000. 144 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:44,300 -[Jefferson] Uh-huh. -So what I'm trying to figure out 145 00:06:44,367 --> 00:06:48,600 is whether or not there was an agreement to get this money, to get false testimony, 146 00:06:48,667 --> 00:06:50,400 -or what the understanding was. -No. 147 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:51,767 Because while you say, now, 148 00:06:51,834 --> 00:06:53,933 that you didn't want to be involved in the drama, 149 00:06:54,033 --> 00:06:57,433 you were certainly willing to entertain it when you could get $1,000 150 00:06:57,500 --> 00:06:58,900 -from this plaintiff. -I wasn't willing to entertain it… 151 00:06:58,967 --> 00:07:01,734 -You were willing to entertain it… -Nothing was answered back 152 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,500 because I was not willing to entertain it. That's what I'm saying. 153 00:07:04,567 --> 00:07:05,900 I know what it looks like, 154 00:07:05,967 --> 00:07:09,834 but there's no response here because this-- I wasn't gonna do this. 155 00:07:09,900 --> 00:07:11,233 She's trying to encourage me. 156 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:13,333 If I need to go to court to testify on my truth, 157 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:14,767 then I need to be able to-- 158 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:16,734 No one has to coach me to do that. 159 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:18,867 -That's what I'm saying… -I understand. 160 00:07:18,934 --> 00:07:20,400 -I understand. -Okay. 161 00:07:20,867 --> 00:07:22,166 Judge DiMango. 162 00:07:22,233 --> 00:07:25,767 Do you have any proof of the death of your boyfriend's father dying? 163 00:07:25,834 --> 00:07:27,332 -Do you have any proof of that? -No. 164 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,133 You don't have anything to show that he died, 165 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:33,100 that there was a wake, that there were services you had to fly to? 166 00:07:33,166 --> 00:07:36,900 -You don't have any proof of that? -No. I-- I took the $,1000. 167 00:07:36,967 --> 00:07:40,266 [DiMango] Yes, but I think the issue here we're trying to decide-- 168 00:07:40,332 --> 00:07:42,400 We get it, you took the 1,000. 169 00:07:42,467 --> 00:07:45,667 We get it that on some occasions you said you would pay her back 170 00:07:45,734 --> 00:07:48,066 and on other occasions you said you would not. 171 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:49,867 -The reason… -I attempted to pay her back. 172 00:07:49,933 --> 00:07:51,066 -No. -I had not said I would. 173 00:07:51,133 --> 00:07:54,133 I attempted to pay her back at least two times. 174 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,400 -I wanted that to be known. -[DiMango] Did you come here 175 00:07:56,467 --> 00:07:58,533 just 'cause you wanna hang out your dirty laundry 176 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,934 or did you come here to resolve this case? 177 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,934 -I didn't want to see her today. -Why don't you not talk 178 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,533 -until you're being spoken to. -[Jefferson] Okay. 179 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,200 -That would make everybody's life easier. -All righty. 180 00:08:08,266 --> 00:08:10,066 [DiMango] So my question to you is 181 00:08:10,133 --> 00:08:15,600 there's possibility that maybe you took this $1,000 182 00:08:15,667 --> 00:08:20,367 because you had agreed to testify, falsely, 183 00:08:20,433 --> 00:08:24,700 and that she got angry because she gave you this money 184 00:08:24,767 --> 00:08:27,166 and you didn't follow through with your part of the deal. 185 00:08:27,233 --> 00:08:28,133 Can I say something? 186 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:29,867 Let me hear it. Is it gonna be nice? 187 00:08:29,934 --> 00:08:32,165 Yes, it is. It's important to what she said. 188 00:08:32,232 --> 00:08:34,332 Remind you, these court dates was way after, 189 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,633 but it was not, oh, I'm gonna give you this money to testify. 190 00:08:37,700 --> 00:08:39,366 I have text messages here 191 00:08:39,433 --> 00:08:43,033 with her discussing this girl smoking meth, even the father of my child. 192 00:08:43,100 --> 00:08:44,767 -I'm not for sure… -[DiMango] I saw that. 193 00:08:44,834 --> 00:08:48,165 -We saw that. But you guys… -I never asked this woman to lie for me. 194 00:08:48,233 --> 00:08:50,867 She was aware of these things and the thing was 195 00:08:50,934 --> 00:08:52,600 she continues... It's like I said… 196 00:08:52,667 --> 00:08:54,600 Okay. Are you happy that you've been heard now? 197 00:08:54,667 --> 00:08:56,734 -No, I'm not. You won't let me finish. -Are you happy you said it? 198 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:58,667 What else is there for you to say? 199 00:08:58,734 --> 00:09:01,300 I read the crap that you guys put online. 200 00:09:01,367 --> 00:09:03,734 -Where is it coming from that I… -The situation… 201 00:09:03,867 --> 00:09:05,400 -Stop. -[Hinton] …that's going on today, 202 00:09:05,467 --> 00:09:08,800 that happened that day. That situation has happened on more than one occasion. 203 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:10,633 Where she had promised to-- I have two jobs. 204 00:09:10,700 --> 00:09:12,734 [DiMango] I'm gonna stop you. 205 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,867 'Cause you just go on and on. You just wanna fight with each other. 206 00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:18,400 I could read these messages. You'd be ashamed of yourselves. 207 00:09:18,467 --> 00:09:20,000 You won't let me finish my sentence. 208 00:09:20,066 --> 00:09:21,500 -You'd both be ashamed. -I'm not ashamed. 209 00:09:21,567 --> 00:09:23,600 I just wanna finish my sentence. 210 00:09:23,667 --> 00:09:26,367 I got your position. I think what you both don't understand 211 00:09:26,433 --> 00:09:29,066 is that, unlike the both of you, who do not listen, 212 00:09:29,133 --> 00:09:30,734 -we are listening. -Okay. 213 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,600 We are trying to sort through a mess. 214 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:35,233 -A big mess. -A big mess. 215 00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:37,934 And I'm gonna stop right now because the bottom line is 216 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:41,333 you have just said to us you gave her $1,000 in cash, 217 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:43,467 other than you saying it, that's what we have. 218 00:09:43,533 --> 00:09:45,433 You're saying you wanted to pay her back. 219 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:46,767 -Do you agree? -Yes. 220 00:09:46,834 --> 00:09:49,433 What's the final thing? You wanna pay her back or you don't? 221 00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:50,600 [Jefferson] Um, I don't. 222 00:09:50,667 --> 00:09:54,600 She has been making a lot of statements about CPS. Calling CPS. 223 00:09:54,667 --> 00:09:56,033 [DiMango] That's a separate case. 224 00:09:56,100 --> 00:09:59,734 Right now, this case, for me, is about the $1,000. 225 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,667 I'm resting on the evidence that you've presented. 226 00:10:02,734 --> 00:10:04,500 -Defame me. -Judge Levy. 227 00:10:04,567 --> 00:10:06,633 Ms. Hinton, you wanted to finish a sentence, 228 00:10:06,700 --> 00:10:08,166 let's finish that sentence. 229 00:10:08,233 --> 00:10:09,500 As I was stating, sir, 230 00:10:09,567 --> 00:10:12,133 this incident at hand with her not showing up at court, 231 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:13,800 she's done this on many occasions. 232 00:10:13,867 --> 00:10:16,200 I'm not just all done because she didn't show up. 233 00:10:16,266 --> 00:10:19,066 We spoke over the phone. She verbally agreed to come up 234 00:10:19,133 --> 00:10:20,767 and show up, or whatever, in court. 235 00:10:20,834 --> 00:10:23,300 There was other situations, like where I work two jobs, sir, 236 00:10:23,367 --> 00:10:26,767 she would promise to pick up my child to transport my child. 237 00:10:26,834 --> 00:10:29,433 Her, as a friend, would tell me things, like, 238 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:30,767 well, I'll help you. 239 00:10:30,834 --> 00:10:33,367 I asked her, when you pick up your kids, can you pick up mine 240 00:10:33,433 --> 00:10:35,266 -and take my daughter to my son. -[Levy] You guys were friends. 241 00:10:35,333 --> 00:10:37,600 Hold on. So, what we have you now, Ms. Hinton, saying, 242 00:10:37,667 --> 00:10:40,633 is that because of the friendship you felt comfortable 243 00:10:40,700 --> 00:10:42,800 asking her to pick up your kids, 244 00:10:42,867 --> 00:10:44,867 -watch your kids. Right? -She wouldn't watch them. 245 00:10:44,934 --> 00:10:47,700 All I needed help was for her pick her up from childcare 246 00:10:47,767 --> 00:10:49,533 and drop her off to my 15-year-old son. 247 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:50,700 [Levy] Is that true? 248 00:10:50,767 --> 00:10:54,900 That she would contact you to pick up her daughter at school? 249 00:10:54,967 --> 00:10:57,000 All the time. She needs to do her own thing. 250 00:10:57,066 --> 00:10:59,934 Let me ask you a question. How long have you known each other? 251 00:11:00,066 --> 00:11:04,333 I originally met her at Father Joel's in a shelter about 2018. 252 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:05,500 [Levy] Now, Ms. Jefferson, 253 00:11:05,567 --> 00:11:08,834 you would agree that it was a friendly enough relationship 254 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,266 that you felt comfortable asking her for $1,000? 255 00:11:11,333 --> 00:11:12,100 Yes. 256 00:11:12,166 --> 00:11:14,066 And it was $1,000 that you needed 257 00:11:14,133 --> 00:11:16,433 so your boyfriend was able to go to New York 258 00:11:16,500 --> 00:11:18,066 so he could attend his father's funeral. 259 00:11:18,133 --> 00:11:18,834 Mm-hm. 260 00:11:18,900 --> 00:11:21,266 [Hinton] There's a big piece of time missing out, sir. 261 00:11:21,333 --> 00:11:24,100 Because this man could've came to ask me for the money himself. 262 00:11:24,166 --> 00:11:27,133 [Levy] The point is you knew she wasn't gonna pay you back right away. 263 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,200 -She told me tax time. -Tax time? 264 00:11:29,266 --> 00:11:30,633 Ms. Jefferson, that's what you said? 265 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:33,066 -That you had every intention of repaying? -Mm-hm. 266 00:11:33,133 --> 00:11:36,633 Now, May 5th, 2022, defendant exhibit one. 267 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:39,467 You say in a text to the plaintiff, 268 00:11:39,533 --> 00:11:41,600 "Nobody is trying to do you dirty. 269 00:11:41,667 --> 00:11:44,500 No one said they would not give you your money. 270 00:11:44,567 --> 00:11:47,100 -[Jefferson] Mm-hm. -If you would like your money, no problem. 271 00:11:47,165 --> 00:11:53,100 The agreement was when I filed my taxes and received them, you will get paid. 272 00:11:53,165 --> 00:11:56,800 You can't up and change the agreement now 273 00:11:56,867 --> 00:11:59,133 -just because you're upset." -Yes. 274 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:00,767 What did you mean by that? 275 00:12:00,834 --> 00:12:03,066 Because I didn't show up in court 276 00:12:03,133 --> 00:12:06,100 and ignored everything that she was talking about, 277 00:12:06,166 --> 00:12:11,333 she took it upon herself to just say, hey, um, go ahead and just pay me back. 278 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,000 And I'm like, "We have an agreement." 279 00:12:13,066 --> 00:12:14,500 -[Levy] I got you. On April 4th... -So… 280 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:16,166 ...you said to the plaintiff, 281 00:12:16,233 --> 00:12:18,133 "We're too busy messing up other people's lives 282 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,066 instead of making your life better." 283 00:12:20,133 --> 00:12:22,433 That's why the plaintiff was mad, 284 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:26,767 "'Cause I didn't wanna help you… your baby's daddy's life up.'" 285 00:12:26,834 --> 00:12:28,633 -[Jefferson] Yes. -That was on April 4th. 286 00:12:28,700 --> 00:12:30,900 I've never seen somebody so unaccomplished… 287 00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:32,900 [Levy] Forget about "unaccomplished". What does that mean? 288 00:12:32,967 --> 00:12:34,700 -…be all in somebody's business. -Forget about… 289 00:12:34,767 --> 00:12:36,567 -That's not the purpose of that… -You need to mind… 290 00:12:36,633 --> 00:12:38,100 -All right. You know what? -I'm sorry. 291 00:12:38,165 --> 00:12:40,300 I'm gonna pass it over to Judge Acker. Thank you. 292 00:12:40,367 --> 00:12:43,266 -Can I make one more statement? -[Acker] No, you really can't. 293 00:12:43,333 --> 00:12:47,266 We are doing our very best to adjudicate your cases 294 00:12:47,333 --> 00:12:50,300 in a way that does honor to our professions. 295 00:12:50,367 --> 00:12:54,100 I don't know if you think that the notion is to come here and act out 296 00:12:54,165 --> 00:12:56,266 like we're doing one of those ratchet talk shows. 297 00:12:56,333 --> 00:12:57,567 We are not. 298 00:12:57,633 --> 00:13:01,367 So whether or not we can make any sense of this mess 299 00:13:01,433 --> 00:13:04,233 that you all have brought here, that's on the two of you. 300 00:13:04,300 --> 00:13:06,900 So right now, I'm going to turn to your case, 301 00:13:06,967 --> 00:13:09,467 which is your $2,000 claim against her 302 00:13:09,533 --> 00:13:12,166 for five months of slandering and harassment. 303 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:16,700 [narrator] Coming up on Tribunal Justice… 304 00:13:16,767 --> 00:13:18,600 -Take a breath. -[cries, inhales] 305 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,567 -How was it false when… -[Levy] Okay, Byrd. 306 00:13:23,633 --> 00:13:24,967 Byrd, she's gone. 307 00:13:25,033 --> 00:13:28,033 -I'm asking a question, sir… -She's gone. I didn't ask you a question. 308 00:13:28,100 --> 00:13:30,133 -But I was asking you a question… -I didn't ask you a question. 309 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,165 You're gone. Your case is dismissed. 310 00:13:32,233 --> 00:13:34,266 -How? Because I asked a question? -Yup. 311 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:45,567 [narrator] Ebony Jefferson is suing her former friend, Shante Hinton, 312 00:13:45,633 --> 00:13:48,100 for slander and harassment. 313 00:13:48,165 --> 00:13:51,567 Shante claims her online posts were in self-defense 314 00:13:51,633 --> 00:13:53,767 after Ebony started the drama 315 00:13:53,834 --> 00:13:55,400 and owes her nothing. 316 00:13:55,467 --> 00:13:57,834 Right now, I'm going to turn to your case, 317 00:13:57,900 --> 00:14:00,533 which is your $2,000 claim against her 318 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,100 for five months of slandering and harassment. 319 00:14:03,166 --> 00:14:05,600 We've established some of the basic facts. 320 00:14:05,667 --> 00:14:07,266 There was $1,000 that went to you. 321 00:14:07,333 --> 00:14:09,900 There was an agreement, not an agreement, 322 00:14:09,967 --> 00:14:13,533 some disappointment by you that she didn't testify in court. 323 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,900 You say that she wanted you to lie in court. 324 00:14:15,967 --> 00:14:17,333 You say it was not a lie. 325 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,700 You simply wanted her to respond or to repeat in court 326 00:14:20,767 --> 00:14:21,934 what you'd heard earlier. 327 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:23,533 According to you, Ms. Jefferson, 328 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,834 from your refusal to participate in that court proceeding, 329 00:14:26,900 --> 00:14:29,600 the plaintiff then engaged in this campaign 330 00:14:29,667 --> 00:14:31,166 of slander and harassment. 331 00:14:31,233 --> 00:14:36,900 Including making, what you claim, were false CPS reports against you. 332 00:14:36,967 --> 00:14:38,066 What evidence do you have 333 00:14:38,133 --> 00:14:41,500 that Ms. Hinton made a false CPS report against you? 334 00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:44,867 So, she states it in various text messages. 335 00:14:44,934 --> 00:14:47,333 -Here's one right here. -Byrd, could you get that, please? 336 00:14:51,767 --> 00:14:54,900 And you've now handed me this exhibit, a text message. 337 00:14:54,967 --> 00:14:58,533 One of them, "CPS will be in touch with you very soon. 338 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:00,633 They're not happy with your actions. 339 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:04,133 They got your message and they know you stay hiding. 340 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,400 You got 24 hours to fight me. 341 00:15:06,467 --> 00:15:10,500 If you don't, I'ma file charges on you for harassment. 342 00:15:10,567 --> 00:15:13,433 Same way I called CPS on you, Ebony. 343 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:16,166 Same way I reported you to food stamps. 344 00:15:16,233 --> 00:15:19,166 Same way I reported you Section 8, Ebony. 345 00:15:19,233 --> 00:15:23,400 Same way I reported uh, engaging in inappropriate conduct." 346 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,500 Do you recall when you received this message? 347 00:15:26,567 --> 00:15:30,633 -If it was after you received the money? -Yes. 348 00:15:30,700 --> 00:15:33,000 Do you recall how soon after? 349 00:15:33,066 --> 00:15:35,533 -[scoffs] Three weeks. -Were you ever contacted by CPS? 350 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:36,400 Yes. 351 00:15:36,467 --> 00:15:39,767 -Did they make any findings? -No. 352 00:15:39,834 --> 00:15:43,467 I did have to email, um, her threatening statement, 353 00:15:43,533 --> 00:15:45,600 so that they would have it on record. 354 00:15:45,667 --> 00:15:47,967 I don't have a record of that today. 355 00:15:48,033 --> 00:15:51,467 Ms. Hinton, did you report Ms. Johnson to CPS? 356 00:15:51,533 --> 00:15:55,266 -No, I did not. But can I make a comment… -No, you can't make any comments. 357 00:15:55,333 --> 00:15:56,900 -…the San Diego PD… -You cannot make any comments. 358 00:15:56,967 --> 00:15:59,100 Am I speaking-- Do you understand me? 359 00:15:59,165 --> 00:16:01,800 -Do you understand me? -Yes, ma'am. I've answered your question. 360 00:16:01,867 --> 00:16:03,633 No, well, then I'll ask another. 361 00:16:06,533 --> 00:16:09,800 Why were you threatening to report her to CPS? 362 00:16:09,867 --> 00:16:11,667 Domestic violence in front of her children, 363 00:16:11,734 --> 00:16:13,867 which the police has also called as well. 364 00:16:13,934 --> 00:16:14,767 I've called. 365 00:16:14,834 --> 00:16:17,433 -Then there was the time… -When did you witness… Excuse me. 366 00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:18,934 -Domestic violence… -Excuse me. 367 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:20,934 -I'm telling you, the domestic violence… -Excuse me. 368 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:21,800 When? 369 00:16:21,867 --> 00:16:25,300 Um, it was one day I was at her house. What month was that? 370 00:16:25,934 --> 00:16:27,266 I don't remember the exact month, 371 00:16:27,333 --> 00:16:30,800 -but one day I was over… -No, I want a month and a day and a year. 372 00:16:30,867 --> 00:16:33,233 -I don't know the exact month… -So, wait. Hold up. 373 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:37,600 You witnessed so much domestic violence that you had to make a report. 374 00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:40,700 But it was so horrible, you don't remember the day. 375 00:16:40,767 --> 00:16:42,066 You don't remember the month. 376 00:16:42,133 --> 00:16:43,633 And she's such a horrific person, 377 00:16:43,700 --> 00:16:46,467 -you said, "I'm gonna give you $1,000…" -I never said she's a horrible person... 378 00:16:46,533 --> 00:16:47,934 "…so can lie in court." 379 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,400 -[Hinton] …that's not what happened… -I got it. Judge. 380 00:16:51,467 --> 00:16:54,633 Why does me have to give her $1,000 to help her boyfriend go home 381 00:16:54,700 --> 00:16:55,734 for his daddy's funeral? 382 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:58,133 I just buried my daddy seven months ago. 383 00:16:58,200 --> 00:16:59,533 -Ma'am. Ma'am. -He was my friend. 384 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:01,400 -I was helping him out. -Calm down. Listen to me. 385 00:17:01,467 --> 00:17:02,700 -I was helping him out. -Are you listening? 386 00:17:02,767 --> 00:17:04,532 And what does a domestic violence situation 387 00:17:04,599 --> 00:17:06,032 -have to do with $1,000? -Ma'am. 388 00:17:06,099 --> 00:17:09,233 -You can't even put the two together. -Ma'am. Miss. Miss. 389 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:11,300 Her being beat on, abused on in front of her children 390 00:17:11,367 --> 00:17:12,834 has nothing to do with $1,000. 391 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:14,567 -[DiMango] You need to stop. -Yes, ma'am. 392 00:17:14,633 --> 00:17:16,367 [DiMango] I'm here, sitting back 393 00:17:16,433 --> 00:17:22,367 and I'm listening to a colleague of mine seriously trying to get information 394 00:17:22,433 --> 00:17:25,500 from both of you to do the right thing. 395 00:17:25,567 --> 00:17:28,500 And what has become abundantly clear to me 396 00:17:28,567 --> 00:17:33,900 is that both of you are incapable of acting appropriately in this forum. 397 00:17:33,967 --> 00:17:38,100 And I refuse to entertain anything either one of you have to say. 398 00:17:38,166 --> 00:17:39,633 I'm done with both of you. 399 00:17:39,700 --> 00:17:42,734 -Judge Levy. I have nothing to say. -But y'all asking questions... 400 00:17:44,066 --> 00:17:47,734 [Levy] Ms. Hinton, if you continue, we're gonna remove you from the courtroom 401 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:49,467 -and there goes your case. -I apologize, sir. 402 00:17:49,533 --> 00:17:50,667 The next word you speak, 403 00:17:50,734 --> 00:17:52,967 which was not a response to a question, 404 00:17:53,033 --> 00:17:54,600 you're leaving. Understood? 405 00:17:55,300 --> 00:17:56,600 -Yes, sir. -Thank you. 406 00:17:57,266 --> 00:18:00,166 Now, Ms. Jefferson, in your complaint on case B, 407 00:18:00,233 --> 00:18:03,400 you're looking for $2,000, based upon, what you claim, 408 00:18:03,467 --> 00:18:07,233 were these series of text messages, public postings. 409 00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:09,734 She talked about your hygiene, the upkeep of your home, 410 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,400 -and your appearance. -Mm-hm. 411 00:18:11,467 --> 00:18:13,533 I know those things probably hurt very much, 412 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,900 but I'm gonna tell you, I'm not interested in those. 413 00:18:15,967 --> 00:18:18,867 -What I am interested in is the CPS case. -Okay. 414 00:18:18,934 --> 00:18:21,166 Because if it was in fact a false CPS claim, 415 00:18:21,233 --> 00:18:22,633 you're gonna get your money. 416 00:18:22,700 --> 00:18:26,333 So if we can figure out, based upon the information you provide, 417 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,266 that the, now the defendant, 418 00:18:28,333 --> 00:18:30,633 filed false CPS claims against you, 419 00:18:30,700 --> 00:18:32,467 and how that affected you-- 420 00:18:32,533 --> 00:18:34,033 Yup, I know. 421 00:18:34,100 --> 00:18:36,200 -Take a breath. -[sobbing] 422 00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:38,600 -[Hinton] How was it false when… -[Levy] Okay, Byrd. 423 00:18:38,667 --> 00:18:40,200 Byrd, she's gone. 424 00:18:40,266 --> 00:18:42,100 -I'm asking a question, sir. -She's gone. 425 00:18:42,166 --> 00:18:43,500 I didn't ask you a question. 426 00:18:43,567 --> 00:18:45,367 -But I was asking you a question. -I didn't ask you a question. 427 00:18:45,433 --> 00:18:47,533 You're gone. Your case is dismissed. 428 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:48,400 [Byrd] This way. 429 00:18:48,467 --> 00:18:50,500 -How? 'Cause I asked a question? -Yup! 430 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,333 -Well, San Diego PD called… -That's all right. 431 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:54,400 Have a nice day. 432 00:18:54,467 --> 00:18:56,467 [Hinton] I wasn't allowed to ask the question? 433 00:18:56,533 --> 00:18:58,000 [Jefferson] All right. [exhales] 434 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,333 -I'm ready. -[Levy] Okay. 435 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:03,700 -Were you contacted by CPS? -Yes. 436 00:19:03,767 --> 00:19:05,233 They showed up at my house. 437 00:19:05,834 --> 00:19:07,667 What was it that they said to you? 438 00:19:07,734 --> 00:19:10,000 [Jefferson] They were saying that there were allegations 439 00:19:10,066 --> 00:19:13,000 of domestic violence in my household 440 00:19:13,066 --> 00:19:16,900 -and, um, molestation of children. -Okay. And did you ask them 441 00:19:16,967 --> 00:19:18,433 who filed the charge? 442 00:19:18,500 --> 00:19:20,133 -Yes. -And what did they say? 443 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,166 -They were not allowed to tell me. -Okay. 444 00:19:22,233 --> 00:19:25,367 If you would've told me that they told you that Ms. Hinton here told you, 445 00:19:25,433 --> 00:19:27,200 I'd have walked out and dismissed your case. 446 00:19:27,266 --> 00:19:29,900 'Cause we know that people who report to CPS 447 00:19:29,967 --> 00:19:31,800 -those names are not disclosed. -Yes. 448 00:19:31,867 --> 00:19:33,600 So I appreciate your honesty right there. 449 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,567 How was it that they furthered their investigation? 450 00:19:36,633 --> 00:19:37,700 They came into my home, 451 00:19:37,767 --> 00:19:39,900 they sat down, they talked to myself and my children. 452 00:19:39,967 --> 00:19:43,266 -How old are your children? -Three, 4, and 6. 453 00:19:43,333 --> 00:19:45,667 Okay. Did they look in your fridge and your cupboards? 454 00:19:45,734 --> 00:19:46,667 -Yes. -Mm-hm. 455 00:19:46,734 --> 00:19:49,500 Very invasive in my personal space. 456 00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:51,433 -You understand why they did that, right? -Yes. 457 00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:52,800 'Cause they don't know 458 00:19:52,867 --> 00:19:54,667 there was someone who made those charges against you 459 00:19:54,734 --> 00:19:56,600 who was absolutely out of her mind. 460 00:19:56,667 --> 00:19:59,333 They have the responsibility to make sure your kids are safe. 461 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:00,500 -Yes. -Right. 462 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:02,500 Did there come a time when you were advised 463 00:20:02,567 --> 00:20:05,133 that the case was either founded or unfounded? 464 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:09,033 Yes. I asked the lady, the CPS worker, 465 00:20:09,100 --> 00:20:11,667 are you closing this case, what's going on? 466 00:20:11,734 --> 00:20:15,100 She told me to send her the messages from Ms. Hinton. 467 00:20:15,166 --> 00:20:17,333 And they stopped contacting me. 468 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:21,100 I assumed that what I had sent them was enough 469 00:20:21,166 --> 00:20:24,300 for them to not further any type of investigation. 470 00:20:24,367 --> 00:20:27,667 When was that last communication you had with them? Approximately when? 471 00:20:27,734 --> 00:20:29,033 A couple of months ago. 472 00:20:29,100 --> 00:20:30,567 Have you received anything in the mail 473 00:20:30,633 --> 00:20:33,266 indicating that your case is being referred to family court 474 00:20:33,333 --> 00:20:35,467 for some type of abuse or neglect petition? 475 00:20:35,533 --> 00:20:38,166 -No. -Okay. You might wanna look into that. 476 00:20:38,233 --> 00:20:40,834 'Cause you should've got that if they're gonna dismiss the case. 477 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:43,633 The burden of proof in a criminal case, proof beyond a reasonable doubt, 478 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:44,800 that's not where we are. 479 00:20:44,867 --> 00:20:46,734 This case preponderant to the evidence. 480 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,533 For CPS to make a finding against you 481 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:50,500 it's the lowest burden. Some credible evidence. 482 00:20:50,567 --> 00:20:51,233 [Jefferson] Mm-hm. 483 00:20:51,300 --> 00:20:53,834 You don't want that on your record, especially if it's nonsense. 484 00:20:53,900 --> 00:20:55,100 -Do you follow me? -Yes. 485 00:20:55,166 --> 00:20:57,433 As a result of the investigation by CPS, 486 00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:00,767 you said that you were at risk of possibly losing your job. 487 00:21:00,834 --> 00:21:03,567 And that it caused you tremendous stress. What do you do? 488 00:21:03,633 --> 00:21:07,867 So I work in human resources in, um, in a therapist's office. 489 00:21:07,934 --> 00:21:10,700 All right. Do you support yourself and your three children alone 490 00:21:10,767 --> 00:21:12,033 or do you have extra help? 491 00:21:12,100 --> 00:21:14,734 I support myself and my three children alone. 492 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:15,767 Okay. 493 00:21:15,834 --> 00:21:17,967 -Is there a witness that we have here? -Yes. 494 00:21:18,033 --> 00:21:18,934 And who is that? 495 00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:23,066 It's her kid's father and his girlfriend. 496 00:21:23,133 --> 00:21:26,633 Do you see anything that the girlfriend, Nancy, could provide 497 00:21:26,700 --> 00:21:29,266 that would assist in determining whether or not 498 00:21:29,333 --> 00:21:32,867 the CPS charges were false or not, or the effect it had on you? 499 00:21:32,934 --> 00:21:34,900 -Or it's gonna be background information? -Yes. 500 00:21:34,967 --> 00:21:37,900 Yes. I believe it's gonna be both 501 00:21:37,967 --> 00:21:42,066 because I know that she's called them on her as well. 502 00:21:42,133 --> 00:21:44,433 So I think it will support my claim for harassment. 503 00:21:44,500 --> 00:21:47,500 And the fact that she did it to another woman as well. 504 00:21:47,567 --> 00:21:49,867 [Levy] I'm gonna take judicial notice of the fact 505 00:21:49,934 --> 00:21:55,100 that Ms. Hinton here absolutely called CPS and the police on other people. 506 00:21:55,166 --> 00:21:57,066 So we don't need Nancy for that, okay? 507 00:21:57,133 --> 00:21:58,800 -Okay. -[DiMango] Can I ask one question? 508 00:21:58,867 --> 00:21:59,533 Yeah, please. 509 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:02,900 Have you ever called the police on your boyfriend inside your home? 510 00:22:02,967 --> 00:22:05,100 I have called the police on my boyfriend before. 511 00:22:05,166 --> 00:22:07,133 Why would you have called the police? 512 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:09,700 Because every couple has arguments. 513 00:22:09,767 --> 00:22:13,100 He doesn't live in my home, so when I'd like for him to leave, 514 00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:15,333 I'd like for him to respect my home and leave. 515 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:17,300 So sometimes he may not wanna do that, 516 00:22:17,367 --> 00:22:19,767 -he wants to talk about it… -So you're in an argument basically 517 00:22:19,834 --> 00:22:21,700 -and you call the police to come. -Yes. 518 00:22:21,767 --> 00:22:22,967 You know, just respect the fact 519 00:22:23,033 --> 00:22:26,400 that I don't want any type of arguments in front of my kids. 520 00:22:26,467 --> 00:22:28,600 So when I ask you to leave, I need you to go. 521 00:22:28,667 --> 00:22:30,233 [DiMango] Thank you. That was the only question. 522 00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:32,100 -Couple more questions, okay? -Mm-hm. 523 00:22:32,166 --> 00:22:34,133 Despite what she had to say, 524 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:36,400 in addition to picking up her child, 525 00:22:36,467 --> 00:22:37,834 the one-year-old from daycare, 526 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:42,533 did she ever allow you to watch her child at your home? 527 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:46,266 Yes, I watched her child for free for months. 528 00:22:46,333 --> 00:22:48,133 Always went and picked up her kids. 529 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,834 -[sobbing] -And not only picked up her kids… 530 00:22:50,900 --> 00:22:53,734 Hold on. We got it. We got it, Ms. Jefferson. 531 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:55,867 -Not only picked up her kids-- -It's nothing but drama... 532 00:22:55,934 --> 00:22:56,667 I know. 533 00:22:56,734 --> 00:22:58,900 And it's, it's too much. 534 00:22:58,967 --> 00:23:01,300 Ms. Jefferson, there are some people in this world 535 00:23:01,367 --> 00:23:02,734 who are just sociopaths. 536 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:04,734 Ms. Hinton's a sociopath. 537 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:06,900 I've seen it. Twenty-five years' worth of them. 538 00:23:06,967 --> 00:23:08,333 Because, let's face it, 539 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:13,400 if, in fact, you were as bad as Ms. Hinton said you were, 540 00:23:13,467 --> 00:23:15,467 domestic violence in your home, 541 00:23:15,533 --> 00:23:17,800 getting beat on, drugs, 542 00:23:17,867 --> 00:23:19,000 all these things, 543 00:23:19,066 --> 00:23:23,667 would she allow you to care for her one-year-old at your house? 544 00:23:23,734 --> 00:23:24,734 No. 545 00:23:25,433 --> 00:23:26,533 I think we're good. 546 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:27,667 Thank you. 547 00:23:27,734 --> 00:23:29,600 We're gonna retire to deliberate at this time. 548 00:23:29,667 --> 00:23:32,433 [Byrd] Court stands in recess, parties are excused. 549 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,233 [narrator] Coming up on Tribunal Justice… 550 00:23:36,300 --> 00:23:40,533 Try to eliminate some of this toxicity from your life. 551 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,633 You shouldn't be in any proceeding engaging with people like this. 552 00:23:43,700 --> 00:23:44,633 It's beneath you. 553 00:23:53,066 --> 00:23:56,166 Let's start with Ms. Hinton's case against Ms. Jefferson. 554 00:23:56,233 --> 00:23:57,734 The $1,000 loan. 555 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:01,033 Somewhere in those text messages, Patricia, 556 00:24:01,100 --> 00:24:05,834 there was a message from Ms. Jefferson back to Ms. Hinton 557 00:24:05,900 --> 00:24:10,467 complaining about the fact that the plaintiff was harassing them 558 00:24:10,533 --> 00:24:12,467 for repayment while the partner was grieving. 559 00:24:12,533 --> 00:24:14,700 I was teasing out the idea 560 00:24:14,767 --> 00:24:19,467 of whether or not this $1,000 was in payment to secure false testimony. 561 00:24:19,533 --> 00:24:21,066 I'm not sure of that. 562 00:24:21,133 --> 00:24:25,000 But I didn't see any evidence of the terms of repayment. 563 00:24:25,066 --> 00:24:27,900 I don't know what the terms of repayment were. 564 00:24:27,967 --> 00:24:32,100 And I did find the plaintiff's conduct to be so egregious 565 00:24:32,166 --> 00:24:34,266 that I'm not prepared to award her this money. 566 00:24:34,333 --> 00:24:37,734 Certainly not any emotional distress damages. 567 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:42,200 But my inclination is to dismiss case A in its entirety. 568 00:24:42,266 --> 00:24:44,800 My inclination is to do absolutely the same thing. 569 00:24:44,867 --> 00:24:46,967 I don't see that there was a meeting of the minds 570 00:24:47,033 --> 00:24:49,300 with regard to a contractual obligation. 571 00:24:49,367 --> 00:24:52,066 I'm gonna lend you this, you'll pay me back when. 572 00:24:52,133 --> 00:24:55,467 She does throw out there in some messages about the tax returns, 573 00:24:55,533 --> 00:24:58,700 but then she goes and kind of steps back from that as well. 574 00:24:58,767 --> 00:25:02,433 So I really don't feel that the plaintiff met her burden 575 00:25:02,500 --> 00:25:04,867 with regard to the obligation for repayment. 576 00:25:04,934 --> 00:25:06,033 And, in any event, 577 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:09,433 the emotional distress, I think, both in life and in this courtroom, 578 00:25:09,500 --> 00:25:11,066 is caused by the plaintiff. 579 00:25:11,133 --> 00:25:14,767 There is no way she should be rewarded for any of her behavior. 580 00:25:14,834 --> 00:25:16,600 So my inclination, as well, 581 00:25:16,667 --> 00:25:19,367 would be to dismiss her entire complaint. 582 00:25:19,433 --> 00:25:21,934 I threw her out of the courtroom. I made my position clear. 583 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,533 You dismissed her right in there. 584 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,033 I dismissed-- Yeah, my position hasn't changed. 585 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:26,867 Okay. Good. 586 00:25:26,934 --> 00:25:30,033 So case B, Ms. Jefferson's complaint 587 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:33,567 against Ms. Hinton based on the false claims. 588 00:25:33,633 --> 00:25:36,300 Ms. Hinton admitted she called CPS 589 00:25:36,367 --> 00:25:38,667 and then, I think, tried to suggest that 590 00:25:38,734 --> 00:25:41,934 Ms. Jefferson had engaged in a pattern of abuse 591 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,967 and or had entertained the abuse of her children 592 00:25:45,033 --> 00:25:46,934 for all these many years. 593 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:50,033 Yet, and still she couldn't give us any months or dates 594 00:25:50,100 --> 00:25:52,433 or any further details. I'm troubled by it. 595 00:25:52,500 --> 00:25:54,633 [DiMango] So, the whole thing with the child abuse, 596 00:25:54,700 --> 00:25:56,066 which is where I'm in a bind, 597 00:25:56,133 --> 00:26:00,633 is that when you make a child abuse report it needs to be a good-faith allegation. 598 00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:04,000 Now, do I think that Ms. Hinton acted 599 00:26:04,066 --> 00:26:07,100 because she had the children's interests at heart? 600 00:26:07,166 --> 00:26:10,567 I think Ms. Hinton acts only for her own benefit out of spite. 601 00:26:10,633 --> 00:26:14,200 And all of this has to do with the boyfriend that she no longer has. 602 00:26:14,266 --> 00:26:17,133 So my feeling here is that this was really done out of spite. 603 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,867 However, I did ask Ms. Jefferson 604 00:26:19,934 --> 00:26:21,834 whether or not she'd ever called the police 605 00:26:21,900 --> 00:26:24,600 with regard to fights that she and her boyfriend had had 606 00:26:24,667 --> 00:26:25,767 in front of the children. 607 00:26:25,834 --> 00:26:27,834 And her position I didn't find credible, 608 00:26:27,900 --> 00:26:30,934 was that, well, I don't like to argue in front of my children, 609 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,667 and so, therefore I called the police to stop that. 610 00:26:33,734 --> 00:26:36,100 So, though I don't agree with Ms. Hinton's behavior, 611 00:26:36,166 --> 00:26:38,734 because I think that she does everything out of spite, 612 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:42,467 I do think that she does know that there were police reports filed 613 00:26:42,533 --> 00:26:45,500 because of abuse which was occurring in front of the children. 614 00:26:45,567 --> 00:26:47,333 So my inclination right now is 615 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:50,000 not to award anybody any money on this case. 616 00:26:50,066 --> 00:26:51,800 [Acker] Just one point, and then, 617 00:26:51,867 --> 00:26:53,467 -sorry, Adam, I'll let you get in. -No, please. 618 00:26:53,533 --> 00:26:55,467 But there's one-- I'm trying to find that message, 619 00:26:55,533 --> 00:26:59,033 which I found so offensive, where Ms. Hinton is actually bragging 620 00:26:59,100 --> 00:27:00,900 -about making all of these reports. -Yes. 621 00:27:00,967 --> 00:27:03,767 -That's where she says… -And to me, and that's where, I think, 622 00:27:03,834 --> 00:27:05,633 that when you escalate a situation 623 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:11,000 and bring in law enforcement or CPS maliciously, 624 00:27:11,066 --> 00:27:14,533 then you're upping the ante in a way that's beyond just the nasty name-calling. 625 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:16,000 [DiMango] Let me ask you this. 626 00:27:16,066 --> 00:27:20,433 If it's happening, does it really matter that she's a mean, miserable low-life? 627 00:27:20,500 --> 00:27:23,000 I think it's-- Beyond her being a low-life, 628 00:27:23,066 --> 00:27:25,900 I think that she didn't have a good-faith basis for it. 629 00:27:25,967 --> 00:27:27,867 But the police have been called for fights. 630 00:27:27,934 --> 00:27:31,200 This is just my feeling. I don't wanna give anybody any money on these facts. 631 00:27:31,266 --> 00:27:33,000 -Where are you, Adam? -Like I said, 632 00:27:33,066 --> 00:27:35,967 I don't think anything that comes out of Ms. Hinton's mouth is the truth. 633 00:27:36,033 --> 00:27:37,967 But for the text messages, quite frankly, 634 00:27:38,033 --> 00:27:40,133 we would never really know what the truth is. 635 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:42,500 The communications made it clear to me 636 00:27:42,567 --> 00:27:45,967 that Ms. Hinton filed a malicious and false CPS case 637 00:27:46,033 --> 00:27:47,100 against Ms. Jefferson. 638 00:27:47,166 --> 00:27:48,800 Putting aside the facts for a moment, 639 00:27:48,867 --> 00:27:51,033 there's really nothing worse that you can do, 640 00:27:51,100 --> 00:27:53,166 for a whole series of reasons, 641 00:27:53,233 --> 00:27:57,400 than file a false claim against a mother regarding her children. 642 00:27:57,467 --> 00:27:59,567 Once CPS gets involved in a case, 643 00:27:59,633 --> 00:28:03,500 you feel as though your rights as a parent are completely stripped away. 644 00:28:03,567 --> 00:28:08,000 And if you have false charges made, that means that legitimate cases 645 00:28:08,066 --> 00:28:09,900 of child abuse and neglect go uninvestigated. 646 00:28:09,967 --> 00:28:11,700 Don't you think if the case were dropped 647 00:28:11,767 --> 00:28:13,467 she would've come in with papers saying, look, 648 00:28:13,533 --> 00:28:15,333 they found the allegations incredible? 649 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:16,633 -I don't-- -No. No, no, no. 650 00:28:16,700 --> 00:28:21,533 Hold on one second. The problem is that you can't blame Ms. Jefferson 651 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,066 for not bringing in evidence that CPS hasn't given to her yet. 652 00:28:25,133 --> 00:28:26,000 I agree with that. 653 00:28:26,066 --> 00:28:28,300 It takes months. Not only with the investigators. 654 00:28:28,367 --> 00:28:30,467 Then they gotta go to their Assistant Bureau Chiefs. 655 00:28:30,533 --> 00:28:31,834 Then their Bureau Chiefs. 656 00:28:31,900 --> 00:28:34,133 They could say there's sufficient evidence and it's so bad 657 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:35,467 that we're sending it to court. 658 00:28:35,533 --> 00:28:37,266 That's not what happened here. We don't know it yet. 659 00:28:37,333 --> 00:28:39,900 -But what we do know is the text messages. -That's where I am. 660 00:28:39,967 --> 00:28:42,433 The text messages on page 35, 661 00:28:42,500 --> 00:28:46,934 you have Ms. Hinton saying, "CPS will be in touch with you very soon. 662 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,066 They're not happy with your actions." 663 00:28:49,133 --> 00:28:52,066 And with all of these crying emoji faces. 664 00:28:52,133 --> 00:28:54,967 She's making it out to be a complete joke. 665 00:28:55,033 --> 00:28:57,433 That's not what you do if you have legitimate concerns 666 00:28:57,500 --> 00:28:59,900 -about the welfare of the child. -She has no concerns about the welfare, 667 00:28:59,967 --> 00:29:01,266 -that's my point. -Okay. So… 668 00:29:01,333 --> 00:29:02,333 She doesn't have concerns, 669 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,400 but she does have a basis, but her motivation is not good. 670 00:29:05,467 --> 00:29:06,734 -No… -That's where I'm torn. 671 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:09,967 -But we don't know she has a basis. -I'm gonna dissent. 672 00:29:10,033 --> 00:29:11,500 I'd give her $1,000. 673 00:29:11,567 --> 00:29:14,467 I agree with that. $1,000 in favor of Ms. Jefferson. 674 00:29:14,533 --> 00:29:16,066 -In case B. -In case B. 675 00:29:16,133 --> 00:29:18,100 We have a verdict in Ms. Hinton's case, 676 00:29:18,166 --> 00:29:21,734 we're unanimous in that we will dismiss the complaint in case A. 677 00:29:21,800 --> 00:29:25,333 In case B, Ms. Jefferson's case against Ms. Hinton, 678 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,533 Judge DiMango, you are dissenting, 679 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:31,667 Judge Levy and I are gonna award Ms. Jefferson in that case $1,000. 680 00:29:31,734 --> 00:29:32,967 -Wonderful. -Very good. 681 00:29:36,166 --> 00:29:37,800 Court is back in session. 682 00:29:37,867 --> 00:29:39,600 You're reminded you're still under oath. 683 00:29:39,667 --> 00:29:41,166 -[Acker] Thank you, Byrd. -Mm-hm. 684 00:29:41,233 --> 00:29:44,500 Ms. Jefferson, let's start with Ms. Hinton's case against you. 685 00:29:44,567 --> 00:29:49,834 I believe you heard Judge Levy indicate during his examination 686 00:29:49,900 --> 00:29:51,900 that he was inclined to dismiss it. 687 00:29:51,967 --> 00:29:54,200 Judge DiMango and I agree with that position 688 00:29:54,266 --> 00:29:56,033 in dismissing the plaintiff's complaint. 689 00:29:56,100 --> 00:29:58,166 We do believe that she gave you some money. 690 00:29:58,233 --> 00:30:00,967 We also believe that she got really mad at you 691 00:30:01,033 --> 00:30:03,467 when you didn't testify falsely in court. 692 00:30:03,533 --> 00:30:06,400 Now, whether or not she intended to condition that 693 00:30:06,467 --> 00:30:09,900 on you doing something you didn't do, we don't know. 694 00:30:09,967 --> 00:30:13,533 We certainly do not mean to accuse you of being a part of some plot 695 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:16,600 to offer perjurious testimony, because you didn't. 696 00:30:16,667 --> 00:30:19,767 Which is what led to all of the events that gave rise 697 00:30:19,834 --> 00:30:22,533 to your case against Ms. Hinton. 698 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:25,300 So we are dismissing Ms. Hinton's case against you. 699 00:30:25,367 --> 00:30:29,767 You raised in your complaint against Ms. Hinton, a number of claims 700 00:30:29,834 --> 00:30:33,867 that you believe justify an award of emotional distress damages. 701 00:30:33,934 --> 00:30:37,867 There were some instances where you gave as good as you got. 702 00:30:37,934 --> 00:30:39,567 There was a lot of back-and-forth. 703 00:30:39,633 --> 00:30:43,900 But the instance that we found most troubling as a bench, 704 00:30:43,967 --> 00:30:49,533 all three of us, were Ms. Hinton's claims about you to CPS. 705 00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:52,367 Reporting people when you have no good-faith basis, 706 00:30:52,433 --> 00:30:54,033 when it's just malicious, 707 00:30:54,100 --> 00:30:56,600 when you're just mad, is only wrong. 708 00:30:56,667 --> 00:31:00,967 Judge DiMango is dissenting from this portion of the verdict 709 00:31:01,033 --> 00:31:02,834 in that she believes that because-- 710 00:31:02,900 --> 00:31:06,200 Since you testified about police coming to the house, 711 00:31:06,266 --> 00:31:11,700 that your damages by these false claims by Ms. Hinton don't justify 712 00:31:11,767 --> 00:31:13,533 you getting an award in this case. 713 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:17,867 But Judge Levy and I believe that because of the false claims to CPS, 714 00:31:17,934 --> 00:31:21,100 she invited a level of intrusion into your home 715 00:31:21,166 --> 00:31:24,934 that based on her improper motivations, was simply wrong. 716 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,734 So it is the verdict of Judge Levy and I 717 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:32,100 that you be awarded $1,000 in your countersuit against the plaintiff. 718 00:31:32,667 --> 00:31:36,867 It's also our suggestion that you will try to eliminate 719 00:31:36,934 --> 00:31:39,500 some of this toxicity from your life. 720 00:31:39,567 --> 00:31:43,033 You shouldn't be in any proceeding engaging with people like this. 721 00:31:43,100 --> 00:31:44,300 It's beneath you. 722 00:31:44,767 --> 00:31:49,033 The judgment of this court is for $1,000 on your claim against Ms. Hinton. 723 00:31:49,100 --> 00:31:51,767 Again, Ms. Hinton's claim against you is dismissed. 724 00:31:51,834 --> 00:31:53,033 Good luck to you. 725 00:31:54,066 --> 00:31:55,467 [Byrd] This case is concluded. 726 00:31:55,533 --> 00:31:57,266 Parties are excused, you may step out. 727 00:32:02,033 --> 00:32:04,500 I think the judges said it right, she's a sociopath. 728 00:32:04,567 --> 00:32:06,500 I've never dealt with anybody like her 729 00:32:06,567 --> 00:32:08,767 and I would never deal with anybody like her again. 730 00:32:08,834 --> 00:32:11,066 The goal was for her to leave with nothing 731 00:32:11,133 --> 00:32:13,400 and get-- I won that $1,000. 732 00:32:13,867 --> 00:32:15,867 [narrator] Are you a victim of an assault? 733 00:32:15,934 --> 00:32:19,266 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 734 00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:22,233 Find us on social media at Tribunal Justice.