Ms. Rogers again stated she did not take anything.
She then admitted, "maybe blankets."
She also said, "I did take blankets and family memorabilia when I left."
She claimed that when she moved in, Mr. Harrison had contacted her aunt.
She said they came and picked up items Mr. Harrison had told other family members they could have.
Estate Sale and House Condition
Mr. Harrison wanted to know the whereabouts of his furniture.
He stated he had a fully furnished house.
He mentioned he had staged a sale.
Ms. Rogers presented pictures.
She claimed these pictures were from a year prior to her moving in.
She alleged Mr. Harrison had moved out many things before she took possession.
She also stated another gentleman, Mr. Harrison's childhood friend, was living in the house when she moved in.
This friend remained on the property for approximately three to four weeks.
Ms. Rogers insisted the pictures shown by Mr. Harrison did not represent how the house was set up when she moved in.
Judge Judy asked Ms. Rogers to show pictures of how the house was set up when she moved in.
Utility Bill Dispute
The discussion shifted to the electric bill.
Judge Judy asked to see the electric bill.
Ms. Rogers provided a Manila folder.
She claimed it contained all her receipts but had gone missing.
She said the receipts she had were from her truck.
She presented two receipts for April 9th.
She explained there were two meters at the property.
She also showed a Walmart receipt for $387.
She had one bill mailed in November and another dated in April.
Ms. Rogers presented a message from February.
It showed she would give Mr. Harrison money for utilities, cable, and internet.
She explained these were automatically drafted.
She stated she would pay the electric bills at a local grocery store or Walmart.
Judge Judy acknowledged receiving receipts for energy for April.
Abandoned Property and Remaining Items
Ms. Rogers was asked to show pictures of her living room furniture.
She presented pictures of her own living room furniture.
Mr. Harrison was asked what furniture remained in the house after Ms. Rogers moved out on September 26th.
He stated the house was "pretty much abandoned."
He claimed there was "no furniture at all in the house."
He noted a pool table was left.
A glass table with a marble base, visible in some pictures, was also left.
Mr. Harrison also described a "bunch of trash and leftover clothes, everything, from popsicle sticks to everything."
He stated he had pictures to support this.
Judge Judy expressed interest in seeing these pictures.
Ms. Rogers presented a U-Haul receipt.
It showed she rented a dolly to move out on the 9th of the month.
She stated she moved that weekend.
Backyard Condition and Communication
Judge Judy reviewed pictures of the backyard.
She commented on a pool party, noting it looked "wonderful for you and your children."
Ms. Rogers stated these pictures were taken a month after she had vacated the property.
She claimed she had texted Mr. Harrison about her moving.
She explained she was a single parent working six days a week.
She told him she would not have time for the yard.
She also informed him she would be turning the pool off.
This was because she wouldn't be able to utilize it while looking for a new place.
The Verdict
Judge Judy ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Mr. Harrison.
The amount awarded was $5,000.
Ms. Rogers' counterclaims were dismissed.