1 00:00:06,333 --> 00:00:08,633 You become roommates. You want him to leave. 2 00:00:08,700 --> 00:00:12,000 He was just, um, bringing all these girls in there. 3 00:00:12,066 --> 00:00:13,900 It's very obvious what the problem is. 4 00:00:13,967 --> 00:00:16,734 I just wanna make it clear. There's no physical attraction. 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,233 You had no business renting to him. 6 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:20,333 Your lease doesn't permit it. 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:22,033 So, who the hell are you 8 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:25,400 claiming he violated a roommate agreement with you 9 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:28,100 that, by the way, has zero enforceability? 10 00:00:28,166 --> 00:00:29,734 Okay. There's some misunderstanding. 11 00:00:31,467 --> 00:00:34,033 [announcer] Now on Tribunal Justice. 12 00:00:35,133 --> 00:00:38,500 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 13 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:00,633 Today's case was filed in Beverly Hills, California. 14 00:01:00,700 --> 00:01:02,400 [Byrd] It's case number 2083 15 00:01:02,467 --> 00:01:05,667 on the calendar in the matter of McKnight versus St. Romain. 16 00:01:05,734 --> 00:01:07,400 - Thank you, Byrd. - You're welcome, Judge. 17 00:01:07,467 --> 00:01:09,633 Parties have been sworn in. You may be seated. 18 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:13,367 Mr. McKnight and Ms. Saint Romain. 19 00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:15,734 - [Amna] Yes, ma'am. - So, the two of you were roommates 20 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,967 for a time and then it seems to have turned 21 00:01:18,033 --> 00:01:20,467 into a short version of hell. 22 00:01:20,533 --> 00:01:23,900 And you are now suing the defendant, sir, for $1,100. 23 00:01:23,967 --> 00:01:26,967 And that's for the return of your security deposit. 24 00:01:27,033 --> 00:01:29,000 Ms. St. Romain, you say that is nonsense. 25 00:01:29,066 --> 00:01:30,233 You owe him nothing. 26 00:01:30,300 --> 00:01:33,300 In fact, you claim that he owes you money for the utilities, 27 00:01:33,366 --> 00:01:35,734 which the two of you are supposed to split equally. 28 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:37,900 And you also have a counterclaim against him 29 00:01:37,967 --> 00:01:41,800 for $4,800 for property damage 30 00:01:41,866 --> 00:01:44,233 and theft of your property. 31 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:46,900 I'll note that both of you, uh, point out 32 00:01:46,967 --> 00:01:49,166 that you met on a dating app but never dated. 33 00:01:49,233 --> 00:01:51,600 You were in San Francisco. You were in LA. 34 00:01:51,667 --> 00:01:54,233 You, sir, then decide that you're gonna move to LA. 35 00:01:54,300 --> 00:01:56,100 You need a place to live. You need a roommate. 36 00:01:56,166 --> 00:01:58,166 You become roommates. All platonic. 37 00:01:58,233 --> 00:02:02,300 You, in fact, ma'am, had him sign a roommate agreement, 38 00:02:02,367 --> 00:02:05,066 where you laid out everybody's responsibilities. 39 00:02:05,133 --> 00:02:07,700 We're gonna share the utilities, 40 00:02:07,767 --> 00:02:09,934 you're gonna get your security deposit back 41 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,066 if you leave the place in good condition. 42 00:02:12,133 --> 00:02:13,266 It was all very clear. 43 00:02:13,333 --> 00:02:16,133 It was interesting when I read your answer, 44 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:18,900 ma'am, you said some things and I was kinda like, wow, 45 00:02:18,966 --> 00:02:21,400 this seems to be coming outta nowhere for a case 46 00:02:21,466 --> 00:02:24,700 that's about security deposits and utilities. 47 00:02:24,767 --> 00:02:27,033 "He's been with many girls since he's moved in. 48 00:02:27,100 --> 00:02:29,734 With each girl, he has a different personality. 49 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:31,466 He's brought prostitutes to the apartment." 50 00:02:31,533 --> 00:02:33,567 You know, I'm not saying any of this is true. 51 00:02:33,633 --> 00:02:37,433 I'm just pointing out the claims she makes about you and the answer. 52 00:02:37,500 --> 00:02:40,100 And you described him as very shady. 53 00:02:40,166 --> 00:02:41,600 And I was like, "Gosh. 54 00:02:41,667 --> 00:02:45,166 Normally, people who throw that much mud got something to hide." 55 00:02:45,233 --> 00:02:47,000 And you know what I realized? 56 00:02:47,066 --> 00:02:48,734 You had no business renting to him. 57 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:50,466 Your lease doesn't permit it. 58 00:02:50,533 --> 00:02:52,800 - Not only did it not allow that... - Yes. 59 00:02:52,867 --> 00:02:55,500 [Judge Acker] ... but you actually were having him conceal 60 00:02:55,567 --> 00:02:57,500 - from other people that he was there. - [Amna] Yes. 61 00:02:57,567 --> 00:02:58,934 So, that's a little shady, too. 62 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,300 So, you moved in in June 2022. 63 00:03:02,367 --> 00:03:04,567 Originally, it's a six-month agreement, correct? 64 00:03:04,633 --> 00:03:05,633 [Timothy] Yes, Your Honor. 65 00:03:05,700 --> 00:03:06,700 [Judge Acker] But you stay on a little longer. 66 00:03:06,767 --> 00:03:08,800 - So then it becomes month to month. - Yes, Your Honor. 67 00:03:08,867 --> 00:03:11,467 Then, you meet a girl in March. 68 00:03:11,533 --> 00:03:13,066 Things go well with the girl. 69 00:03:13,133 --> 00:03:15,533 You're still paying rent, but you're hardly ever there. 70 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:16,600 Yes, Your Honor. 71 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:18,500 [Judge Acker] So, according to your complaint, sir, 72 00:03:18,567 --> 00:03:20,567 about June to August, you're not really there. 73 00:03:21,333 --> 00:03:23,667 You show up. What happens in August? 74 00:03:24,033 --> 00:03:27,000 So, the beginning of August of 2022, 75 00:03:27,066 --> 00:03:30,233 I came home to get my suitcase, 76 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,533 'cause I was flying back to San Francisco to see my son that weekend. 77 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,834 Uh, I walked in that morning, packed my things 78 00:03:35,900 --> 00:03:38,466 and as I was leaving out, she stopped me to let me know 79 00:03:38,533 --> 00:03:42,400 that she lost her job back in May. 80 00:03:42,466 --> 00:03:43,700 I was barely there. So, I never knew. 81 00:03:43,767 --> 00:03:45,700 That was my first time hearing about it. 82 00:03:45,767 --> 00:03:47,800 So, as she's explaining that to me, 83 00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:49,767 the first thing she said was, 84 00:03:49,834 --> 00:03:51,466 she's gonna rent out her room 85 00:03:51,533 --> 00:03:54,200 and either she's gonna stay with her friend here in LA 86 00:03:54,266 --> 00:03:56,100 or possibly move to New York. 87 00:03:56,166 --> 00:03:58,000 Never said anything about me moving out. 88 00:03:58,066 --> 00:04:01,300 I heard that. Okay. You know, felt bad for her, whatever. 89 00:04:01,367 --> 00:04:03,000 Got my things, left. 90 00:04:03,066 --> 00:04:05,967 But I never came back to the apartment until the end of August. 91 00:04:06,033 --> 00:04:09,133 Story changed, saying that she's found two couples-- 92 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:10,867 two people to move in to her room. 93 00:04:10,934 --> 00:04:12,934 She's gonna move into the smaller room. 94 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,233 It's only two bedrooms. So, in my head, I'm like, 95 00:04:15,300 --> 00:04:16,500 "Smaller room? That's my room." 96 00:04:16,567 --> 00:04:19,500 So, I stopped her and it's like, "So, what does that mean for me?" 97 00:04:19,567 --> 00:04:20,767 But it almost doesn't matter. 98 00:04:20,834 --> 00:04:22,867 I mean, at this point, you're a month to month tenant. 99 00:04:22,934 --> 00:04:25,133 Now, in August, you want him to leave. 100 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:26,867 There are two holdups here. 101 00:04:26,934 --> 00:04:29,400 - You keep saying he owes you utilities. - Yes. 102 00:04:29,467 --> 00:04:32,867 You submitted evidence of what you say the utilities were. 103 00:04:32,933 --> 00:04:34,967 But the utility breakdown that you submitted... 104 00:04:35,033 --> 00:04:36,700 - Yes. - ... did not add up to the amount 105 00:04:36,767 --> 00:04:37,900 of his security deposit. 106 00:04:37,967 --> 00:04:39,133 - So, at a minimum... - [Amna] You're correct. 107 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:40,200 - But neither did that boy... - ... you owed him some money. 108 00:04:40,266 --> 00:04:41,467 ... if he was leaving the apartment. 109 00:04:41,533 --> 00:04:43,000 - Whenever he was just... - And we will talk about that 110 00:04:43,066 --> 00:04:46,233 because you also claim that he left the apartment in some disarray. 111 00:04:46,300 --> 00:04:48,300 In fact, you submitted some photographs... 112 00:04:48,367 --> 00:04:49,467 [Amna] And videos. 113 00:04:49,533 --> 00:04:51,433 [Judge Acker] ... where you say he damaged things. 114 00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:53,700 You say he poured bleach on your property. 115 00:04:53,767 --> 00:04:56,266 - [Amna] Yes. - [Judge Acker] And you, in fact, told him 116 00:04:56,332 --> 00:04:58,133 that you saw him. 117 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,200 In fact, you put cameras in your apartment. 118 00:05:00,266 --> 00:05:02,300 - [Amna] I thought I had it, yes. - You'd put cameras in your apartment 119 00:05:02,367 --> 00:05:04,433 because you wanted to check up on the landlords. 120 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:06,266 - Yeah. - So, can we put up Exhibit 4? 121 00:05:07,300 --> 00:05:10,734 "I hope you do know I put a camera by the TV." 122 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,367 The suggestion being that you have him stealing, on camera. 123 00:05:14,433 --> 00:05:15,433 Yeah. I thought that... 124 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:16,500 [Judge Acker] Except you had no such thing. 125 00:05:16,567 --> 00:05:17,567 - No. - [Judge Acker] You got nothing. 126 00:05:17,633 --> 00:05:19,033 And you made a police report. 127 00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:20,667 - [Amna] Yes. - You called the police on him. 128 00:05:20,734 --> 00:05:23,400 [Amna] I called the police to come immediately because car keys were taken, 129 00:05:23,467 --> 00:05:24,700 but they didn't show up. 130 00:05:24,767 --> 00:05:25,767 It was late at night. 131 00:05:25,834 --> 00:05:27,734 So the next day, I went to the police station 132 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:29,667 and they told me if I have contacted him 133 00:05:29,734 --> 00:05:31,300 and tell him that maybe he took it by accident, 134 00:05:31,367 --> 00:05:34,667 - because car keys were taken. - Yeah. Well, what's interesting to me, 135 00:05:34,734 --> 00:05:36,533 and what I really wanna dig in to 136 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:38,633 is what basis you had 137 00:05:38,700 --> 00:05:41,000 for accusing him of theft, 138 00:05:41,066 --> 00:05:42,767 accusing him of property damage, 139 00:05:42,834 --> 00:05:44,500 - because you have no video. - No. 140 00:05:44,567 --> 00:05:46,266 - I only have the video after the theft... - [Judge Acker] You have--no, no, no. 141 00:05:46,332 --> 00:05:47,667 You know what you have? 142 00:05:47,734 --> 00:05:49,767 You have a video of some bleach damage. 143 00:05:49,834 --> 00:05:50,900 - I don't know who did it. - [Amna] Yeah. 144 00:05:50,967 --> 00:05:53,233 [Judge Acker] Why wouldn't you bring that video to court, 145 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:55,100 or why wouldn't you show it to the police? 146 00:05:55,166 --> 00:05:57,800 Or were you lying to the police and are you lying in this court? 147 00:05:57,867 --> 00:05:59,100 No, no. I wasn't lying to anyone. 148 00:05:59,166 --> 00:06:02,266 What I thought when I texted him, because I was really upset, is that I had it. 149 00:06:02,333 --> 00:06:04,300 When I went to revise all my items... 150 00:06:04,367 --> 00:06:05,600 - It was gone. - [Amna] No. 151 00:06:05,667 --> 00:06:08,200 That's when I realized everything had been turned off because it was bleach. 152 00:06:08,266 --> 00:06:09,400 [Judge Acker] Oh, my gosh. 153 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:10,600 We can look at your video. 154 00:06:10,667 --> 00:06:13,400 But I'll tell you right now, the video proves absolutely nothing. 155 00:06:14,500 --> 00:06:15,633 So, tell us what we're seeing. 156 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:17,266 [Amna] ... you can't see anything because it's white bleach. 157 00:06:17,332 --> 00:06:19,200 It's clear. But it's all over. 158 00:06:19,266 --> 00:06:21,200 I can't touch it 'cause I'm actually allergic. 159 00:06:21,266 --> 00:06:22,867 There's a piece of paper that I can lift 160 00:06:22,934 --> 00:06:24,600 and, like, it's all wet and bleached. 161 00:06:24,667 --> 00:06:27,033 And then there's bleach poured all over the desk. 162 00:06:27,100 --> 00:06:29,100 [Judge Acker] So, why aren't you wearing gloves if you're so allergic to it? 163 00:06:29,166 --> 00:06:31,200 [Amna] Because I just noticed. So I grabbed my phone immediately. 164 00:06:31,266 --> 00:06:33,100 - [Judge Acker] Hmm. - [Amna] And so then I went ahead 165 00:06:33,166 --> 00:06:34,500 and, like, recorded all of that. 166 00:06:34,567 --> 00:06:35,967 I saw that it was poured in the plug. 167 00:06:36,033 --> 00:06:37,233 It was poured it over there. 168 00:06:37,300 --> 00:06:39,900 [Judge Acker] How soon after the plaintiff left did you take this video? 169 00:06:39,967 --> 00:06:41,300 - [Amna] The next morning. - [Judge Acker] It was the next morning? 170 00:06:41,367 --> 00:06:44,266 Yeah. I thought the bleach smell was coming from the cleaning. 171 00:06:44,332 --> 00:06:46,533 I didn't realize that it was coming from there until I started following the smell. 172 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,400 [Judge Acker] And so what evidence do you have that he did that-- 173 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:50,300 or that he did it intentionally? 174 00:06:50,367 --> 00:06:52,700 Well, there was nobody else at the very moment. 175 00:06:52,767 --> 00:06:53,767 It was just him and I. 176 00:06:53,834 --> 00:06:54,834 [Judge Acker] How do I know that you didn't do it? 177 00:06:54,900 --> 00:06:55,900 I don't know that that's bleach. 178 00:06:55,967 --> 00:06:57,500 I don't know if it was pre-existing or not. 179 00:06:57,567 --> 00:06:58,567 Yeah. You don't. 180 00:06:58,633 --> 00:07:00,400 [Judge Acker] I think what happened is that this roommate situation 181 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:02,533 got out of hand and you got out of hand. 182 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,166 And, sir, you were no angel. I mean, you know, there was a lot of-- 183 00:07:05,233 --> 00:07:07,867 you're telling her she's gonna die alone, this and that. 184 00:07:07,934 --> 00:07:08,934 She's mentally ill. 185 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,700 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 186 00:07:12,767 --> 00:07:13,934 I just wanna make it clear. 187 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:15,367 There's no physical attraction, at all. 188 00:07:15,433 --> 00:07:17,066 - I don't care. - [Amna] Like, at all. 189 00:07:17,133 --> 00:07:18,200 - Like, at all. - Hmm. 190 00:07:18,266 --> 00:07:19,633 [dramatic musical sting] 191 00:07:21,500 --> 00:07:23,233 [theme music plays] 192 00:07:23,300 --> 00:07:26,266 [announcer] Timothy McKnight is suing ex-roommate/landlord, 193 00:07:26,332 --> 00:07:28,867 Amna St. Romain for $1,100, 194 00:07:28,934 --> 00:07:31,934 after he claims she kept his security deposit. 195 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:34,767 Amna is countersuing for $4,800, 196 00:07:34,834 --> 00:07:38,834 claiming Timothy constantly brought women over to their home, 197 00:07:38,900 --> 00:07:40,767 purposely poured bleach on her property, 198 00:07:40,834 --> 00:07:43,200 and owes for utilities. 199 00:07:43,266 --> 00:07:46,900 There is some evidence that you may owe her something in utilities, 200 00:07:46,967 --> 00:07:50,367 because your defense to that is not that I paid everything. 201 00:07:50,433 --> 00:07:53,834 Your defense is, "Well, she didn't always show me the bills on time." 202 00:07:53,900 --> 00:07:55,200 - And that I know because... - [Timothy] Yes. 203 00:07:55,266 --> 00:07:57,300 [Judge Acker] ... you even said we only have to pay this much. 204 00:07:57,367 --> 00:07:58,967 You know, that's enough to pay for now. 205 00:07:59,033 --> 00:08:00,266 So how much do you owe her? 206 00:08:00,333 --> 00:08:03,300 If I may, she says I owe her, like, $400 and something. 207 00:08:03,367 --> 00:08:06,133 I, again, don't know that to be true or not 208 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,367 because I took her word, trusted her on that. 209 00:08:09,433 --> 00:08:12,367 Whatever she says, I owed her, I Zelled it to her. 210 00:08:12,433 --> 00:08:14,333 And, you know, I never asked her, "Oh, let me see. 211 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:16,166 I don't think this is true," 212 00:08:16,233 --> 00:08:18,266 anything like that. She said it. I just... 213 00:08:18,332 --> 00:08:19,533 Got police being called, 214 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,900 accusations of intentional vandalism 215 00:08:21,967 --> 00:08:24,934 - and property damage over $1,100... - No. 216 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,166 - ... security deposit... - [Timothy] No. I wanna... 217 00:08:26,233 --> 00:08:29,133 ... and some unknown amount of utility bills. 218 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:30,800 I wanna answer to that. 219 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:33,165 Uh, real reason being, 220 00:08:33,232 --> 00:08:35,433 after I cleaned my room and the bathroom, 221 00:08:35,500 --> 00:08:37,500 I called her in there to look over it 222 00:08:37,567 --> 00:08:39,366 so she can see that everything is clean 223 00:08:39,433 --> 00:08:41,133 so I can get my security deposit. 224 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,100 She stopped and said she's not gonna give it to me 225 00:08:44,165 --> 00:08:46,967 because I contacted the rental property office 226 00:08:47,033 --> 00:08:50,233 because I told them about the security deposit. 227 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:52,633 She told me they were having her evicted, 228 00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:55,300 which confused me because she told me she was moving. 229 00:08:55,367 --> 00:08:58,133 So, why does it matter if you're being evicted when you already told-- 230 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,333 she literally packed up all her things, 231 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,533 put it in a U-Haul to move. 232 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:04,433 So, I'm--I was confused by that. 233 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:05,934 Like, okay, what I gotta do with my security deposit? 234 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,734 There was a lot of confusion about who was going where, 235 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,600 was she staying, was she going, so on and so forth. 236 00:09:11,667 --> 00:09:13,900 That was another inciting incident. 237 00:09:13,967 --> 00:09:17,567 You were annoyed that he called the rental office 238 00:09:17,633 --> 00:09:19,567 and outed you for illegally renting to him. 239 00:09:19,633 --> 00:09:21,300 That's not a basis for holding onto his money. 240 00:09:21,367 --> 00:09:22,467 - I thought that didn't-- - [Judge Acker] I'm gonna pass the case... 241 00:09:22,533 --> 00:09:23,667 - Oh, sorry. - [Judge Acker] ... to my colleagues. 242 00:09:23,734 --> 00:09:25,367 I think they'll have plenty more to dig into. 243 00:09:25,433 --> 00:09:27,700 - Judge? - You have a lease with a landlord. 244 00:09:27,767 --> 00:09:29,700 How long are you living there before plaintiff moves in? 245 00:09:29,767 --> 00:09:31,700 I was there for a year and a couple of months. 246 00:09:31,767 --> 00:09:35,400 Okay. Now your lease clearly states in paragraph five 247 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:37,567 that you can't have anybody in there. 248 00:09:37,633 --> 00:09:39,233 It's just you. Right? 249 00:09:39,300 --> 00:09:40,433 So now, you come in. 250 00:09:40,500 --> 00:09:42,867 You are not told that you're not supposed to be there, 251 00:09:42,934 --> 00:09:44,967 but you're told, "Sure, come. You can live with me. 252 00:09:45,033 --> 00:09:47,300 We'll split the rent. We'll split everything," correct? 253 00:09:47,367 --> 00:09:50,233 - Yes, Your Honor. - But early on, she tells you, 254 00:09:50,300 --> 00:09:52,367 "If anybody comes in here, hide." 255 00:09:52,433 --> 00:09:55,000 Did you know that it was the landlord that you were hiding from? 256 00:09:55,066 --> 00:09:56,333 She explained to me. 257 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:59,333 Uh, I was at--actually, I was at work one day when she told me. 258 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:00,800 So, I just stayed away... 259 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:01,934 [Judge DiMango] You just didn't come back in. 260 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,033 ... from home for a while. 261 00:10:03,100 --> 00:10:04,100 Now, how long were you living there 262 00:10:04,166 --> 00:10:06,500 before you were told that the landlord might pop in? 263 00:10:06,567 --> 00:10:09,100 Uh, I got there in June of 2022. 264 00:10:09,166 --> 00:10:12,867 I think the first time it happened towards October, November... 265 00:10:12,934 --> 00:10:14,667 [Judge DiMango] Okay. So, after about six months. 266 00:10:14,734 --> 00:10:17,166 But it didn't bother you 'cause you were happy with your rental agreement. 267 00:10:17,233 --> 00:10:19,133 The two of you were getting along, you were taking trips, 268 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:21,133 - you were going places, you were buddies. - [Timothy] Yes, Your Honor. 269 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:22,734 [Judge DiMango] You kind of had each other to hang out on. 270 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:24,500 No. I did not. 271 00:10:24,567 --> 00:10:26,300 We were not friends like that. 272 00:10:26,367 --> 00:10:28,200 - You weren't any kind of friend? - [Amna] No. We weren't. 273 00:10:28,266 --> 00:10:30,567 - You never went to the movies together? - [Amna] No. 274 00:10:30,633 --> 00:10:31,700 - We went to jazz... - We went-- 275 00:10:31,767 --> 00:10:32,900 - one time we have a drink. - We went to jazz clubs... 276 00:10:32,967 --> 00:10:34,165 - Yeah. - ... hiking, and... 277 00:10:34,233 --> 00:10:35,300 [Judge DiMango] You went hiking? 278 00:10:35,367 --> 00:10:36,367 - [Amna] We... - We did. 279 00:10:36,433 --> 00:10:37,500 Did we go hiking? Uh, yeah. We did go hiking. 280 00:10:37,567 --> 00:10:38,567 [Judge DiMango] Are you living in the same world? 281 00:10:38,633 --> 00:10:40,367 Okay. Can we--can I explain something real quick? 282 00:10:40,433 --> 00:10:41,533 - I don't know... - [Amna] When he first moved... 283 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:43,333 - ... what do you want to explain? - ... the first week he moved to LA, 284 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:44,900 I did take him to the jazz club 285 00:10:44,967 --> 00:10:46,700 because he's from Louisiana and I said I know people there. 286 00:10:46,767 --> 00:10:47,767 [Judge DiMango] So you went to a jazz club. 287 00:10:47,834 --> 00:10:48,834 And then I took him hiking. 288 00:10:48,900 --> 00:10:50,165 - But we didn't... - [Judge DiMango] Went hiking. 289 00:10:50,233 --> 00:10:52,734 But we didn't become friends that we will hang out all the time. 290 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:54,667 - [Timothy] We did... - That's not the friendship that we had. 291 00:10:54,734 --> 00:10:56,233 We did brunch. We did do brunch. 292 00:10:56,300 --> 00:10:57,567 - She took me to a Brazilian... - [Judge DiMango] Did you do brunch? 293 00:10:57,633 --> 00:10:59,600 - [Timothy] Brazilian place. - Dude. That was only one week. 294 00:10:59,667 --> 00:11:00,734 - I'm like--okay. - The first week. 295 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:01,834 - [Timothy] That was not the first week. - So, wait a minute. 296 00:11:01,900 --> 00:11:04,367 Maybe you're the one with the imaginary relationship. 297 00:11:04,433 --> 00:11:07,700 Yes. I just wanna make it clear. There's no physical attraction, at all. 298 00:11:07,767 --> 00:11:08,767 - I don't care. - [Amna] Like, at all. 299 00:11:08,834 --> 00:11:09,834 - Like, at all. - [Timothy] Hmm. 300 00:11:09,900 --> 00:11:11,200 - [Amna] I think you... - Okay, look. 301 00:11:11,266 --> 00:11:13,333 I don't care. I don't know if you got somebody home 302 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:14,867 who's watching this at some point, then you're gonna... 303 00:11:14,934 --> 00:11:16,767 - No, I--no, but this is out of blue. - [Judge DiMango] So, forget it. 304 00:11:16,834 --> 00:11:18,500 This has been, like, my whole life... 305 00:11:18,567 --> 00:11:20,333 - Now I see the problem. - [Amna] ...I've been dealing with this. 306 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,900 - No. - It's very obvious what the problem is. 307 00:11:22,967 --> 00:11:24,367 But the bottom line is, 308 00:11:24,433 --> 00:11:27,266 for some reason, you want him out. 309 00:11:28,266 --> 00:11:30,333 I mean, to me, there's something going on. 310 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:32,400 So, I don't know what it is but you want him out. 311 00:11:32,467 --> 00:11:36,266 Yeah. Because I noticed how, like, he was just, um, 312 00:11:36,333 --> 00:11:37,734 bringing all these girls in there 313 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,867 and I knew, like, it was kinda weird 314 00:11:39,934 --> 00:11:41,233 because I always kept thinking, 315 00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:43,300 these girls are gonna get mad at him at some point 316 00:11:43,367 --> 00:11:45,266 and then come and get revenge and destroy-- 317 00:11:45,333 --> 00:11:46,333 - [Judge DiMango] Okay. - [Amna] But that's... 318 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:48,834 So, you were not comfortable with having a male 319 00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:50,200 who had other relationships. 320 00:11:50,266 --> 00:11:51,767 Listen, I can understand that, 321 00:11:51,834 --> 00:11:53,533 and I'm not saying you did that. 322 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:54,600 - Nobody is. - Yes, Your Honor. 323 00:11:54,667 --> 00:11:56,300 [Judge DiMango] There are certain things you don't have to defend. 324 00:11:56,367 --> 00:11:58,767 But there are certain things that you have to understand 325 00:11:58,834 --> 00:12:00,600 that might make somebody uncomfortable. 326 00:12:00,667 --> 00:12:03,100 But the point here is, she wanted you out. 327 00:12:03,166 --> 00:12:04,266 - [Timothy] If I may... - [Judge DiMango] Now you may. 328 00:12:04,333 --> 00:12:06,133 ... it was--it wasn't that I wanted to continue to stay, 329 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:08,433 it's the way she went about it. Now, as far as she's talking about... 330 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:09,500 [Judge DiMango] Oh, you two are very sensitive. 331 00:12:09,567 --> 00:12:12,433 As far as she's talking about with these girls and stuff, literally, I... 332 00:12:12,500 --> 00:12:14,166 Oh, you're gonna go back to that, even though I don't really care. 333 00:12:14,233 --> 00:12:15,333 [Timothy] I don't, 'cause I don't like the way she did it. 334 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,533 There's only three at the--at the entire time. 335 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:19,667 - [Judge DiMango] I don't care. - But here's the thing. 336 00:12:19,734 --> 00:12:21,834 I had no issue leaving. It's just the way she... 337 00:12:21,900 --> 00:12:23,633 You didn't like the way she asked you to leave. 338 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:25,100 - What are you? Two years old? - [Timothy] No. 339 00:12:25,166 --> 00:12:26,567 She lied about leaving. If she didn't... 340 00:12:26,633 --> 00:12:28,367 [Judge DiMango] What do you care? She didn't want you there. 341 00:12:28,433 --> 00:12:30,900 She didn't wanna hurt your feelings, whatever it was. 342 00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:33,100 She doesn't have to explain to get you out. 343 00:12:33,165 --> 00:12:36,767 But did you, by accident or in any way, spill bleach? 344 00:12:36,834 --> 00:12:37,834 She was in the living room when I was... 345 00:12:37,900 --> 00:12:39,300 Did one of your girlfriends come in and spill bleach? 346 00:12:39,367 --> 00:12:41,333 No. I was--on the last day, it was me 347 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:43,700 - packing my things, cleaning the room. - [Judge DiMango] Well, I... 348 00:12:43,767 --> 00:12:45,900 She was in the living room when I walked out the door. 349 00:12:45,967 --> 00:12:47,367 I never came back after that. 350 00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:49,433 She--this is my first time seeing her since I left. 351 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:52,300 Well, Mr. Clean didn't come in and throw bleach around. 352 00:12:52,367 --> 00:12:53,834 Somebody here is lying 353 00:12:53,900 --> 00:12:56,400 and you have the burden of proof on your counterclaim, 354 00:12:56,467 --> 00:12:59,367 you got the burden of proof on your direct case. 355 00:12:59,433 --> 00:13:00,533 - Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge DiMango] Judge Levy? 356 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:02,333 [Judge Levy] So, let's figure out who lied first. 357 00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:05,433 That would be you. 358 00:13:05,500 --> 00:13:08,333 You lied to your landlord. 359 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,467 There was no doubt in your mind 360 00:13:10,533 --> 00:13:13,800 that your lease prohibited you from subletting. 361 00:13:13,867 --> 00:13:14,900 Right? 362 00:13:14,967 --> 00:13:17,533 So, when you told Judge Acker, 363 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,333 "I wasn't lying to anyone," 364 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:21,533 you were lying to her, 365 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,133 'cause you did lie to your landlord, 366 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,000 because you couldn't afford the rent on your own. 367 00:13:27,066 --> 00:13:30,333 I did give him a choice if he wanted to be added to the lease at the beginning. 368 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:32,600 [Judge Levy] Okay. Let's stop pointing the finger 369 00:13:32,667 --> 00:13:35,767 at the person that you got to conspire with you 370 00:13:35,834 --> 00:13:39,633 to break the law in California regarding leases. 371 00:13:39,700 --> 00:13:41,066 Let's start with this. 372 00:13:41,133 --> 00:13:44,300 Why don't you tell me what you think the reasons are 373 00:13:44,367 --> 00:13:48,767 why a landlord would not want you as a tenant to sublease? 374 00:13:48,834 --> 00:13:50,100 Come on. Think. 375 00:13:50,165 --> 00:13:52,934 Uh, probably 'cause they wouldn't want somebody in the property 376 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,967 that they haven't gone through the process before they rent to them. 377 00:13:56,033 --> 00:13:57,800 [Judge Levy] That's exactly right. 378 00:13:57,867 --> 00:13:59,500 What if he was a sex offender? 379 00:13:59,567 --> 00:14:02,333 What if he was someone who had a long history 380 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,367 of refusing to pay rent 381 00:14:04,433 --> 00:14:06,333 and then holding over and squatting? 382 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:07,867 That's why you don't do it. 383 00:14:07,934 --> 00:14:09,066 And you know that. 384 00:14:09,133 --> 00:14:11,834 And then, we kinda beat around the text a little bit, 385 00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:14,100 but I wanna read 'em right here so there's no question. 386 00:14:14,166 --> 00:14:15,300 You were wrong, sir. 387 00:14:15,367 --> 00:14:17,100 You were asked by Judge DiMango, 388 00:14:17,166 --> 00:14:18,433 "When did you become aware 389 00:14:18,500 --> 00:14:20,367 that you weren't allowed to be on the lease?" 390 00:14:20,433 --> 00:14:22,133 And you said, "Well, I got there in June. 391 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:23,200 It was, like, six months later, 392 00:14:23,266 --> 00:14:24,633 so it might have been, like, October, November." 393 00:14:24,700 --> 00:14:27,700 That's not right. We have text messages. You gave 'em to us. 394 00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:29,567 But this is what it says. June 12th, 395 00:14:29,633 --> 00:14:31,367 you to the defendant, 396 00:14:31,433 --> 00:14:32,734 "For the inspection tomorrow, 397 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:34,633 do you want me to just hide 398 00:14:34,700 --> 00:14:36,734 all the things that belong to me?" 399 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,066 Your response, "Yes. 400 00:14:39,133 --> 00:14:41,266 Make it look like a guest bedroom. 401 00:14:41,333 --> 00:14:43,667 Please make sure it all looks good. 402 00:14:43,734 --> 00:14:47,400 I don't want us getting caught." 403 00:14:47,467 --> 00:14:50,667 So, who the hell are you coming in here 404 00:14:50,734 --> 00:14:54,066 claiming he violated a roommate agreement with you 405 00:14:54,133 --> 00:14:56,533 that, by the way, has zero enforceability? 406 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:57,834 Who are you? 407 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,667 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 408 00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:03,734 [Judge Levy] Only when she was getting sued from you, 409 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:05,734 she figures, "Let me just go to court and throw some crap 410 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:07,934 against the wall and see what sticks." 411 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:12,066 That is your counterclaim. 412 00:15:12,133 --> 00:15:13,700 [dramatic musical sting] 413 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:17,400 [theme music plays] 414 00:15:17,467 --> 00:15:21,400 [announcer] Timothy McKnight is suing ex-roommate/landlord Amna St. Romain 415 00:15:21,467 --> 00:15:24,066 for the return of his security deposit. 416 00:15:24,133 --> 00:15:27,867 Amna is countersuing, claiming he poured bleach on her property 417 00:15:27,934 --> 00:15:30,567 out of spite when she asked him to leave. 418 00:15:31,433 --> 00:15:34,533 So, who the hell are you coming in here 419 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:38,033 claiming he violated a roommate agreement with you 420 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:40,800 that, by the way, has zero enforceability? 421 00:15:40,867 --> 00:15:42,000 Who are you? 422 00:15:42,066 --> 00:15:43,533 I didn't sue. 423 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:44,767 [Judge Levy] Yes, you did. 424 00:15:44,834 --> 00:15:47,433 - For $4,800. - I'm countersuing. 425 00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:49,967 But I wasn't gonna bring it because I figured 426 00:15:50,033 --> 00:15:52,700 that it was my loss for making a bad decision. 427 00:15:52,767 --> 00:15:55,467 [Judge Levy] Yeah. Only when she was getting sued from you 428 00:15:55,533 --> 00:15:57,233 to get your $1,100 back, 429 00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:59,433 she figures, "Let me just go to court and throw some crap 430 00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:01,266 against the wall and see what sticks." 431 00:16:04,066 --> 00:16:06,300 That is your counterclaim. 432 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:10,200 And you got the gall to start throwing shade at him 433 00:16:10,266 --> 00:16:13,133 after you refuse to give him back his security deposit, 434 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,266 accusing him of breaking the rules? 435 00:16:16,333 --> 00:16:17,934 - Tell me, how you gonna defend yourself? - Uh, there is some... 436 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,367 Defend the indefensible. 437 00:16:19,433 --> 00:16:21,000 [Amna] Okay. There's some misunderstanding. 438 00:16:21,066 --> 00:16:22,533 I never said I wasn't gonna give it to him. 439 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,734 I said, "If you leave the place how you found it 440 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:28,200 and we can square out the bills, then you can get the rest of it." 441 00:16:28,266 --> 00:16:31,066 But he never even showed me the internet bills so we can even out, 442 00:16:31,133 --> 00:16:32,400 - like, uh, you owe me this... - [Judge Levy] Is that accurate? 443 00:16:32,467 --> 00:16:34,066 - ... I owe you that. - [Timothy] That's not accurate. 444 00:16:34,133 --> 00:16:35,133 - She told... - [Judge Levy] All right. So... 445 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,066 She told me after I cleaned up everything, 446 00:16:38,133 --> 00:16:40,767 I brought her into the room so she can see it, 447 00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:43,200 but she was already mad because I contacted the rental office 448 00:16:43,266 --> 00:16:45,433 and that's when she told me she's not giving me my... 449 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:46,533 - That's exactly... - [Timothy] ... security deposit back. 450 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:48,165 - That is--that is 100%... - [Timothy] And that's in text, 451 00:16:48,233 --> 00:16:51,300 'cause I even text her and she even text me back saying, and so... 452 00:16:51,367 --> 00:16:53,834 Did you get charged any, uh, fees 453 00:16:53,900 --> 00:16:57,066 by your landlord for damage caused by him? 454 00:16:57,133 --> 00:16:59,967 No. I got only charged for the keys that were stolen, 455 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:01,633 - the U-haul keys, my car keys. - [Judge Levy] Right. 456 00:17:02,033 --> 00:17:03,066 - I understand. - Stuff like that. 457 00:17:03,133 --> 00:17:04,599 [Judge Levy] So, you got charged for nothing. 458 00:17:04,666 --> 00:17:06,300 That's another reason why I can tell you right now 459 00:17:06,367 --> 00:17:07,666 when I go in the back there, 460 00:17:07,733 --> 00:17:09,233 I am not gonna be ruling in your favor. 461 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:10,300 I'm done. 462 00:17:10,367 --> 00:17:12,767 [Judge DiMango] I just have one question, if you don't have any. 463 00:17:12,834 --> 00:17:15,300 Did you ever get an itemized list of the damages? 464 00:17:15,367 --> 00:17:16,934 - No, ma'am, I didn't get anything. - [Judge DiMango] Did you ever mail him 465 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:18,834 - an itemized list of damages? - [Timothy] No, Your Honor. 466 00:17:18,900 --> 00:17:21,400 She just, in response to my text messages 467 00:17:21,467 --> 00:17:24,066 asking for my security deposit, she just stated the property-- 468 00:17:24,133 --> 00:17:26,333 - He blocked me after the... - No, I didn't block you. You blocked me. 469 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:28,934 She just stated the property was damaged, 470 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,133 bleach and this and that. 471 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,400 And also, back to the last day that I came to get the rest of my things, 472 00:17:34,467 --> 00:17:37,600 she was standing outside with an unknown gentleman door wide open. 473 00:17:37,667 --> 00:17:40,734 The door was open the whole entire time that I was there moving stuff out. 474 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,266 That was the last time I was ever at that apartment again 475 00:17:43,333 --> 00:17:44,500 and that's the last time I ever saw her. 476 00:17:44,567 --> 00:17:45,700 [Judge DiMango] Who was the gentleman that she was with? 477 00:17:45,767 --> 00:17:47,333 I have no idea. I think she said they were getting-- 478 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,867 they were changing the lock on the door... 479 00:17:48,934 --> 00:17:50,033 - They were not mine. - ...or something like that. 480 00:17:50,100 --> 00:17:51,100 That's what she told me. 481 00:17:51,166 --> 00:17:52,166 [Amna] They were not-- they were not part of me. 482 00:17:52,233 --> 00:17:54,734 The landlord has sent someone to change the lock keys. 483 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:56,934 So, they were there. You had car keys that were stolen... 484 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,000 - [Amna] And my camera. - [Judge DiMango] ...and in your home 485 00:17:59,066 --> 00:18:00,567 was a locksmith at some point. 486 00:18:00,633 --> 00:18:01,633 - Is that correct? - Yes. 487 00:18:01,700 --> 00:18:03,533 I don't have any other questions. Thank you very much. 488 00:18:04,166 --> 00:18:05,600 [Byrd] Court now stands in recess. 489 00:18:05,667 --> 00:18:08,233 This case will be recalled. Parties are excused. 490 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:11,867 [dramatic musical sting] 491 00:18:12,767 --> 00:18:14,867 And what will likely come as a surprise to no one, 492 00:18:14,934 --> 00:18:17,100 I would like to rule in favor of the plaintiff 493 00:18:17,166 --> 00:18:19,633 and dismiss the counterclaim in its entirety. 494 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:22,600 She's raised a defense of offset 495 00:18:22,667 --> 00:18:24,300 with respect to the utilities. 496 00:18:24,367 --> 00:18:26,867 She was like, "I was gonna give him back the $1,100, 497 00:18:26,934 --> 00:18:29,300 but he still owed me for utilities." 498 00:18:29,367 --> 00:18:31,233 It's not clear to me what that amount is. 499 00:18:31,300 --> 00:18:33,967 They were all over the place. Her accounting is all over the place. 500 00:18:34,033 --> 00:18:36,033 We do have evidence of payments 501 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:37,300 from him to her. 502 00:18:37,367 --> 00:18:39,767 So, I don't know what the utility amount is. 503 00:18:39,834 --> 00:18:41,200 I don't think her defense works. 504 00:18:41,266 --> 00:18:43,367 I think her counterclaim is nonsensical. 505 00:18:43,433 --> 00:18:46,100 She said as much. She filed it because she was mad. 506 00:18:46,166 --> 00:18:50,100 Uh, you know, you don't go to the police and make up claims about people 507 00:18:50,166 --> 00:18:53,200 because you don't wanna give him back the $1,100 that you owed him. 508 00:18:53,266 --> 00:18:56,233 So, I would dismiss her counterclaim and rule in his favor. 509 00:18:56,300 --> 00:18:59,767 So, just looking at the individual amounts here, I don't think she demonstrated 510 00:18:59,834 --> 00:19:02,233 that her electronics were destroyed by him. 511 00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:04,567 Now, there was another gentleman in the house 512 00:19:04,633 --> 00:19:06,033 - who was a locksmith. - Uh-hmm. 513 00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:08,400 So now, that put a whole another light on things to me 514 00:19:08,467 --> 00:19:10,633 because originally, I thought it was just the two of them. 515 00:19:10,700 --> 00:19:12,000 But we have a third party in there. 516 00:19:12,066 --> 00:19:14,433 So now that actually muddies up her position 517 00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:16,367 with regard to anything stolen. 518 00:19:16,433 --> 00:19:18,734 I'm a little unclear on why he doesn't owe her 519 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,000 at least something for the utility bills, 'cause even he said it. 520 00:19:21,066 --> 00:19:22,967 Because she--'cause I don't know what that something is. 521 00:19:23,033 --> 00:19:25,266 And remember, they were always in arrears. 522 00:19:25,333 --> 00:19:26,667 She was always in arrears. 523 00:19:26,734 --> 00:19:29,367 So, I don't know how much of that arrearage took place 524 00:19:29,433 --> 00:19:31,233 before he moved in. 525 00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:33,066 So, I'm not saying he doesn't owe her something, 526 00:19:33,133 --> 00:19:35,333 but I don't know what it is, and I'm not gonna make up a number for her. 527 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:38,800 And also, he was not given proper notice on the itemized list, etcetera. 528 00:19:38,867 --> 00:19:41,433 So, he's entitled to get back his $1,100 529 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:43,367 for her failure of proof on that issue 530 00:19:43,433 --> 00:19:46,767 and hers would be dismissed for all the reasons we've just said. 531 00:19:46,834 --> 00:19:48,667 - [Judge Levy] I agree. - So we're unanimous? 532 00:19:48,734 --> 00:19:49,734 - Uh-hmm. - Yeah. 533 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:50,767 Okay. 534 00:19:50,834 --> 00:19:54,367 [dramatic musical sting] 535 00:19:54,433 --> 00:19:55,500 [Byrd] Court is back in session. 536 00:19:55,567 --> 00:19:57,400 Parties are reminded you're still under oath. 537 00:19:57,467 --> 00:19:58,834 - [Judge Acker] Thank you, Byrd. - Uh-hmm. 538 00:19:58,900 --> 00:20:00,767 This case reminds me, 539 00:20:00,834 --> 00:20:02,800 people are just a trip sometimes. 540 00:20:02,867 --> 00:20:05,567 I got you on camera pouring bleach. 541 00:20:05,633 --> 00:20:07,700 All I have to do is show up at the police station 542 00:20:07,767 --> 00:20:10,166 and show them you damaging my property. 543 00:20:10,233 --> 00:20:11,233 You had nothing. 544 00:20:11,300 --> 00:20:13,100 You raised a defense of an offset 545 00:20:13,166 --> 00:20:15,300 claiming that he owed you some money for utilities. 546 00:20:15,367 --> 00:20:18,133 Maybe. But it was your job to prove the amount. 547 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,433 And you gave us a bunch of bills with different amounts. 548 00:20:21,500 --> 00:20:22,934 You had different breakdowns, 549 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,734 maybe he owed this, maybe he owed this. 550 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,000 If you're trying to prove that sort of defense, 551 00:20:27,066 --> 00:20:29,767 if you're trying to prove an offset, that's an affirmative defense. 552 00:20:29,834 --> 00:20:31,100 You have to prove it. 553 00:20:31,166 --> 00:20:32,867 But you haven't proven what that amount was. 554 00:20:32,934 --> 00:20:36,700 Sir, you paid the defendant an $1,100 security deposit. 555 00:20:36,767 --> 00:20:38,700 It is our unanimous verdict 556 00:20:38,767 --> 00:20:41,700 that she return every dollar of that to you. 557 00:20:41,767 --> 00:20:44,033 Ma'am, in certainly what won't be a surprise to you, 558 00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:45,700 we are dismissing your counterclaim. 559 00:20:45,767 --> 00:20:47,667 You said, "I filed it after the fact." 560 00:20:47,734 --> 00:20:51,433 We looked at your damages. They were not $4,800 worth of damages. 561 00:20:51,500 --> 00:20:54,667 It was an overblown attempt to try to detract from the fact 562 00:20:54,734 --> 00:20:56,033 that you owed him the money. 563 00:20:56,100 --> 00:20:59,600 Uh, sir, you're entitled to the $1,100 for which you sued. 564 00:20:59,667 --> 00:21:02,000 That is the unanimous verdict of the court. 565 00:21:02,066 --> 00:21:03,066 Good luck to both of you. 566 00:21:03,133 --> 00:21:04,133 - [gavel bangs] - Thank you, Your Honor. 567 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,100 [Byrd] This case is now concluded. Parties are excused. 568 00:21:06,166 --> 00:21:08,166 You may step out. 569 00:21:08,233 --> 00:21:10,800 [theme music plays] 570 00:21:10,867 --> 00:21:12,867 I don't think that you can tell who people really are 571 00:21:12,934 --> 00:21:15,133 until they--you actually see behind the curtains. 572 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,400 She was like, "Oh, there's damage to my property. 573 00:21:17,467 --> 00:21:19,166 I have a camera showing you." 574 00:21:19,233 --> 00:21:22,867 I thought that it was on because I left it on, but it was turned off. 575 00:21:22,934 --> 00:21:24,567 But I knew in my heart of heart it wasn't true. 576 00:21:24,633 --> 00:21:27,000 Well, this is really why a lot of people move out of California 577 00:21:27,066 --> 00:21:28,633 because the law protects criminals 578 00:21:28,700 --> 00:21:30,433 and not the people that actually go through stuff. 579 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:31,500 Justice was served. 580 00:21:31,567 --> 00:21:33,200 I got to see behind the curtains. 581 00:21:33,266 --> 00:21:34,967 Ah, just a waste of time. 582 00:21:35,033 --> 00:21:37,300 [announcer] Did someone destroy your property? 583 00:21:37,367 --> 00:21:40,333 Let Tribunal Justice decide your case. 584 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:44,500 Find us on social media @tribunaljustice. 585 00:21:44,567 --> 00:21:47,767 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]