The Core Dispute
Ms. Grant, the plaintiff, brought a case against Ms. Smith, the defendant.
Ms. Grant claimed Ms. Smith damaged her business.
This damage allegedly occurred through untrue and malicious online statements.
Ms. Grant stated this happened after she successfully garnished James's wages for child support.
Ms. Smith admitted to writing the posts.
However, Ms. Smith claimed everything she wrote was true.
Ms. Smith also filed a counterclaim.
She alleged Ms. Grant called Child Protective Services (CPS).
Ms. Smith stated Ms. Grant reported neglect of her newborn baby.
This resulted in an unpleasant experience for Ms. Smith.
Ms. Smith also claimed Ms. Grant posted nasty things about her.
The Man in the Middle
Judge Judy first sought to understand the man at the center of the conflict.
This man was James.
Both Ms. Grant and Ms. Smith had children with James.
Judge Judy asked James his age.
He stated he was 27.
James worked as an installer at a billiard company.
He had worked there for about a year.
James had one child with Ms. Grant.
He also had one child with Ms. Smith.
Judge Judy asked if he had any other children.
James hesitated before answering.
He then mentioned another child.
He said he was having issues regarding paternity for that child.
James stated he was not 100% sure if he was the father.
That child was seven years old.
Judge Judy questioned if he earned enough money for all these children.
James replied, "Not exactly."
James's Paternity Issues
Judge Judy pressed James on the paternity of the seven-year-old child.
James initially denied having other children.
He then admitted to a child he was unsure about.
Later, he admitted to reaching out to the mother of that child.
This was for visitation purposes.
This contradicted his earlier denial of paternity.
Judge Judy found his statements to be "double talk."
The Start of the Conflict
Ms. Smith claimed Ms. Grant initiated contact on Facebook.
Ms. Smith presented a Facebook message from Ms. Grant.
The message stated, "James is mad sneaky."
It also said they were "creeping around."
Ms. Smith claimed this was not the first contact.
She alleged Ms. Grant initiated the conversation.
Judge Judy asked Ms. Smith to provide the initial message.
Ms. Smith could not produce it.
She said she would have to go through "ten thousands of messages."
Judge Judy noted Ms. Smith knew she was coming to court.
She expected Ms. Smith to be prepared.
Ms. Grant's Version of Events
Ms. Grant stated she found out James was having an affair.
She claimed she and James had a physical fight.
This fight occurred on November 27, 2016.
Ms. Grant presented a police report from that date.
She said she confronted James the same day she found out about the affair.
Ms. Grant stated she put her hands on James first.
She explained this was because he was cheating on her.
She said James was in her bed when Ms. Smith texted her.
The texts said James was "sneaky" and they had been "creeping around."
Contradictions in the Police Report
Judge Judy reviewed the police report.
The report indicated James was arrested.
However, the report also stated Ms. Grant put her hands on him first.
The police report mentioned Ms. Grant was upset about James's driving habits.
This was the stated reason for the argument in the report.
This contradicted Ms. Grant's claim that the fight was about cheating.
James also offered a different explanation for the police report.
He claimed the argument was about him reaching out to his daughter's mom in Las Vegas.
He wanted to arrange visitations with that daughter.