He called the idea of suing "petty and stupid."
Judge Judy intervened to maintain order.
She reminded everyone she was in charge.
Medical Report and Delay
Mr. Williams submitted a medical report.
The report was dated August 8th, 1997.
It described "SP trauma to left temple region."
Judge Judy noted the date of the report.
She pointed out that it was over a week after the alleged incident.
She questioned why Mr. Williams waited so long to seek medical attention.
Mr. Williams claimed he was in shock.
He stated he was trying to figure out what happened.
He also mentioned he was trying to get his drums back.
The Drums and Their Return
Mr. Williams's drums were loaded for the tour.
They were sent to New Orleans before the July 30th meeting.
Mr. Williams claimed he was without his drums for two weeks.
He stated this prevented him from earning a living.
He submitted a receipt for $2,000 to rent drums for two weeks.
Mr. Leiden's technician was asked about the drums.
He stated it was "99% no" that Mr. Williams's drums were used by others.
However, he admitted he was not there to see it.
Mr. Williams's drums were returned approximately two weeks after July 30th.
Witness Testimony
Eric Gardner, Mr. Leiden's tour manager, testified.
He was present at the Japanese restaurant.
Mr. Gardner stated he did not see Mr. Leiden head-butt Mr. Williams.
He also did not see Mr. Williams's head hit Mr. Leiden's chin.
Mitchell Jacobs, Mr. Leiden's manager, also testified.
He was also at the restaurant.
Mr. Jacobs confirmed he did not see any head-butting.
He did not see Mr. Williams's head hit Mr. Leiden's chin either.
The Aftermath of the Meeting
Mr. Williams left the restaurant after the alleged assault.
The next day, July 31st, he received a call.
The tour manager informed him he would be replaced.
Mr. Leiden maintained that Mr. Williams quit.
He stated Mr. Williams walked out on him.
This left Mr. Leiden without a drummer just before the tour.
Mr. Leiden emphasized the difficulty this caused.
He reiterated his view that Mr. Williams's hotel demands were unreasonable for a small gig.
Mr. Williams's Compensation
Judge Judy asked Mr. Williams about his total earnings.
From the time he started working for Mr. Leiden, he received about $3,000.
Mr. Williams stated he worked very hard for this amount.
He claimed he gave up his days off.
He worked on Saturdays and Sundays.
Judge Judy acknowledged this is what musicians do.
Mr. Williams expressed his belief that he had done a lot for Mr. Leiden.
He accused Mr. Leiden of attacking him and cheating him out of money.
Judge Judy's Assessment
Judge Judy addressed Mr. Williams directly.
She used the Yiddish word "nudnick."
She suggested she was unsure if she could travel with Mr. Williams for four months.
Judge Judy acknowledged Mr. Williams might be a nice gentleman.
However, she described him as "a bit of a nudnick."
She noted his desire for rights and things done his way.
Judge Judy commented on the music business.
She called it a "very strange business."
She noted that Mr. Williams clearly liked things done in an orderly, organized, and fair fashion.
The Verdict
Judge Judy advised Mr. Williams.
She suggested he should probably find another business.
She stated that the music business was not from his "school."
Judge Judy delivered her ruling.
She was not satisfied that Mr. Williams was fired without cause.
She was also not satisfied that he was assaulted as he claimed.
She cited the delay in seeking medical attention.
She noted that anyone truly assaulted in that manner would report it immediately.
They would go to an emergency room.
Mr. Williams did not do this.
Therefore, Judge Judy dismissed Mr. Williams's lawsuit.
She concluded the case.