FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Initial Complaint
Mr. Hetrick, the landlord, brought a complaint against Miss Colson, his former tenant.
He stated he rented a room to Miss Colson and her son.
Mr. Hetrick evicted her.
He was suing her for unpaid rent and legal fees.
Judge Judy noted that Mr. Hetrick's complaint was brief.
Tenant's Counterclaim
Miss Colson's answer and counterclaim were much longer.
She alleged that Mr. Hetrick evicted her because he "just can't stand women."
Miss Colson was counterclaiming for pain and emotional distress.
This distress resulted from the eviction process.
She also claimed Mr. Hetrick threatened her life.
She stated he had already been to trial for threatening her life.
The Eviction Reason
Judge Judy asked Mr. Hetrick why he evicted Miss Colson.
Mr. Hetrick stated he evicted her because she did not pay her rent.
Judge Judy then asked which month's rent was unpaid.
Mr. Hetrick said they delivered a three-day notice on February 2, 1996.
He confirmed that Miss Colson's friend had paid January's rent for her.
Judge Judy pointed out that Miss Colson had paid rent through January.
She questioned why a notice was served on February 2nd.
Mr. Hetrick then admitted they had "a lot of problems with her at the house."
Contradictory Reasons for Eviction
Judge Judy pressed Mr. Hetrick on whether the eviction was for non-payment of rent.
Mr. Hetrick insisted it was for non-payment of rent.
He then mentioned the month of March.
He tried to clarify it was for the month of February.
Judge Judy stopped him, stating she was not finished with her questions.
This exchange highlighted a contradiction in Mr. Hetrick's stated reason for eviction.
The "Unwholesome Tenant" Claim
Mr. Hetrick claimed Miss Colson was not a "wholesome tenant."
He stated he had previously served her with a 30-day notice to move.
This was because she was not a "wholesome tenant."
He described finding "families of displaced people, of homeless people" in the house.
He also claimed the kitchen was filthy because of her.
Mr. Hetrick further alleged that Miss Colson frequently stole foodstuffs from other tenants.
Miss Colson's Defense Against Accusations
Miss Colson denied stealing food.
She stated that anything missing happened when other tenants lived there, not when she was present.
She also denied having frequent guests.
She explained that on one occasion, the people present were a girl, her boyfriend, and her child.
These individuals were there to take her to the doctor for a root canal.
Mr. Hetrick claimed there were four people present.
Miss Colson maintained it was three people: a girl, her boyfriend, and her child.
The Boyfriend Allegation
Mr. Hetrick mentioned that Miss Colson had a boyfriend over.
He described the boyfriend as "the next kind of it."
This implied a negative characterization of the boyfriend.
The Rent Amount Discrepancy
Mr. Hetrick was suing for $928.
He stated this amount represented rent for the room.
He claimed it covered the period from February 2nd to March 11th.
He initially stated the rent was $425 for the room.
Later, he presented a paper showing the rent as $450.
He also claimed he was suing for $450 for the use of the front room, living room, and garage.
He clarified this was not for the room Miss Colson lived in.
Judge Judy pointed out that he had rented her a room for $425.
Refusal of Rent Payment
Judge Judy asked Miss Colson if she paid February's rent of $425.
Miss Colson stated that Mr. Hetrick barged into her room on February 2nd at 8:00 AM.
He was demanding rent.
She told him she would pay him at 10:00 AM when the bank opened.
Miss Colson testified that Mr. Hetrick refused to accept the payment.
She confirmed she did not pay the $425 for February because he refused it.
She also confirmed she lived there in February.
Previous Legal Actions
Miss Colson stated that Mr. Hetrick had sued her multiple times.
She claimed he sued her twice with the same eviction.
She also mentioned being served with another paper.
Mr. Hetrick admitted he had been to "every court" regarding Miss Colson.
Judge Judy's Scrutiny of Mr. Hetrick
Judge Judy questioned Mr. Hetrick's inconsistent statements.
She noted his varying reasons for eviction.
She also highlighted the changing rent amounts he claimed.
She pointed out that landlords do not typically serve eviction notices on the second of the month if rent is current.
Judge Judy seemed skeptical of Mr. Hetrick's credibility.
She advised him to be quiet when he was winning.
The Verdict
Judge Judy ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Mr. Hetrick.
She awarded him $425.
This amount was for February's rent.
Judge Judy's Warning to Mr. Hetrick
Judge Judy issued a stern warning to Mr. Hetrick.
She noted he had taken Miss Colson to court multiple times.
She stated that there comes a point where he would be responsible for abusive process.
She emphasized that the courts are very busy.
Judge Judy warned him that if he abused the court process again, it could cost him money.
She concluded by stating that Miss Colson occupied his property for a month.
Miss Colson acknowledged she should have paid rent for that month.
The $425 awarded was for that acknowledged rent.