FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HE TOLD JUDGE JUDY!
A Neighborly Dispute Over Trees and Smells
Imagine your neighbor's backyard causing a stink.
Now imagine that stink is from alleged marijuana plants.
This is the scene that unfolds in Judge Judy's courtroom.
The Plaintiff Seeks Justice for His Yard
John Stewart is the plaintiff.
He is suing his neighbor, Jack Clark.
Mr. Stewart claims Mr. Clark destroyed his front yard.
This destruction involved cutting a branch from his oak tree.
The Marijuana Complaint
Mr. Stewart has owned his home since 2004.
Mr. Clark purchased his home in October 2014.
About a year after Mr. Clark moved in, problems began.
Mr. Stewart says Mr. Clark was growing marijuana in his backyard.
He also claims Mr. Clark started trimming trees on his side of the property line.
Mr. Stewart asked him to stop trimming the trees.
He also warned Mr. Clark about the marijuana smell.
He said if the smell continued to waft into his bedroom, he would send a cleaning bill.
Judge Judy asked if the smell was from the plants or from using.
Mr. Stewart confirmed it was from the plants.
He described the smell as a "skunk smell."
Judge Judy stated she did not know that smell.
The Defendant Denies the Plants
Judge Judy then asked Mr. Clark about the marijuana plants.
Mr. Clark stated he had never had any marijuana plants in his backyard.
Judge Judy asked if he had a discussion with Mr. Stewart about plants in his backyard.
Mr. Clark then admitted Mr. Stewart "had one."
Judge Judy immediately stated she believed Mr. Stewart.
She told Mr. Clark she would not believe him if he denied the discussion.
Mr. Clark then recounted Mr. Stewart's threat to sue him for air pollution.
Judge Judy clarified that Mr. Stewart was complaining about a smell from his backyard.
Mr. Clark agreed.
Why Didn't He Investigate the Smell?
Judge Judy asked Mr. Clark if he tried to identify the source of the smell.
Mr. Clark said he did not know.
Judge Judy pressed him on why he didn't investigate.
Mr. Clark responded that he didn't believe "suing somebody for air pollution is a true thing."
Judge Judy corrected him.
She explained that a neighbor's complaint about a smell should prompt an investigation.
She suggested checking the septic system or other potential sources.
She asked again if he tried to identify the source of the smell.
Mr. Clark said "No ma'am."
Judge Judy asked why not.
Mr. Clark claimed Mr. Stewart was not accurate about their first conversation.
He said they had prior problems.
The Fence and the Property Line
Mr. Clark then described these prior problems.
He said Mr. Stewart claimed to have moved the fence line.
Mr. Stewart allegedly stated he owned an additional eight inches of Mr. Clark's property.
This meant Mr. Clark couldn't trim trees or lean anything against the fence.
Judge Judy asked Mr. Clark about this claim.
Mr. Clark said the fence was already there when he bought the house.
Judge Judy explained that a fence does not define property ownership.
She emphasized the importance of a property survey.
Cutting Trees at the Fence Line
The announcer stated Mr. Stewart claims Mr. Clark damaged his front yard by cutting a tree branch.
Mr. Clark is countersuing for harassment.
Judge Judy reiterated that the fence is not the property boundary.
She asked Mr. Clark if he cut trees at the fence line.
Mr. Clark said he cut trees "on my side of the fence."
Judge Judy told him he could not do that.