FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Relationship and the Car
Mr. Simkins, the plaintiff, brought his daughter, Shelby Simkins, to court.
They were suing Mr. Wright, Shelby's ex-boyfriend.
Shelby and Mr. Wright had been in a relationship for two and a half years.
During that time, Mr. Wright was in prison for one year.
Judge Judy noted that Mr. Wright's employment history was relevant because the case involved money.
In February 2013, Shelby and Mr. Wright purchased a car together.
Mr. Wright stated he made a $1,000 down payment on the car.
The car was registered in both their names.
Shelby confirmed that Mr. Wright put down the down payment.
She also confirmed that Mr. Wright did not owe her anything for the car itself.
Car Repairs and the Breakup
The dispute centered on repairs made to the car.
The repairs occurred in July 2013.
Mr. Simkins paid for these repairs.
The total cost of the repairs was approximately $6,500.
Shelby and Mr. Wright terminated their relationship in September 2013.
This was about two months after the repairs were made.
After the breakup, Mr. Wright took the car with him.
The car was still titled in both their names because it had not been paid off.
Mr. Wright stated he had a job at ITEC Well Solutions at the time.
He claimed he paid every month towards the repairs.
Disputed Payments for Repairs
Shelby claimed she paid $1,600 towards the repairs.
She said she paid $800 a month for two months in cash.
Mr. Wright disputed this amount.
He claimed he paid $400 out of each check he received.
He stated he paid for a total of two months, totaling $800.
Mr. Wright's mother, who was present in court, interjected.
She stated that Shelby and Mr. Wright still had a joint bank account at the time.
She said Mr. Wright was making deposits into that joint account.
Shelby admitted she had a joint bank account with Mr. Wright.
She also stated she had her own separate bank account.
Judge Judy focused on the joint account.
Mr. Simkins' Involvement
Mr. Simkins explained that he paid for the car repairs.
He stated there were two separate repair bills.
One bill was for $2,241.52.
The other bill was for $3,550.
These amounts totaled $5,791.52.
Judge Judy asked Mr. Simkins if he had a direct discussion with Mr. Wright about the repairs.
Mr. Simkins initially hesitated.
He then admitted he did not speak directly to Mr. Wright.
He said the agreement was made "through Shelby."
Judge Judy emphasized that she was not interested in agreements made "through Shelby."
She stated that either a written contract or an oral contract was required.
Mr. Simkins did not have a written contract with Mr. Wright.
Since he did not speak to Mr. Wright directly, he also did not have an oral contract with him.
Shelby's Version of the Agreement
Shelby then explained her version of how the repairs came about.
She said the car was not running.
They took it to a mechanic.
She and Mr. Wright had planned to save money for the repairs.
Her father, Mr. Simkins, was letting Mr. Wright use his car for work.
Instead of them saving the money, Mr. Simkins offered to pay for the repairs upfront.
He told them they could pay him back.
Shelby confirmed this conversation was between her and her father.
She did not state that Mr. Wright was part of this direct conversation with her father.
The Car's Value and Debt
The car had a lien on it.
Shelby stated they owed $11,000 to the bank.