you are a homeowner?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: How long have you
lived in your home?
>> 14 years, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And I assume
you have a before picture
to show me of what the front
of your house looked like.
>> Yes, I do.
>> Judge Judy: I'd like to take
a look at it.
The front of your house
has these two lovely trees...
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: ...that needed
trimming.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And also a tree
in the backyard...
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: ...needed
trimming.
You saw Mr. Gutierrez doing
some work across the street?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: You were doing
some work for one of his
neighbors?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And you saw
Mr. Gutierrez, and you asked him
to come over to your property
because you wanted to get an
estimate, I assume, from him to
do some trimming.
>> Exactly.
>> Judge Judy: See? There.
I know exactly what it is.
It looks like he does nice work.
Maybe he can come over and...
>> Right.
>> Judge Judy: Got it.
And when was this?
>> This was February the 18th.
>> Judge Judy: And you told him
what, sir?
>> It was February the 18th.
Crepe Myrtles -- Those trees
are Crepe Myrtles.
>> Judge Judy: Just tell me what
you told him.
>> I told him I needed my
Crepe Myrtles trimmed.
>> Judge Judy: Did you show him
the trees?
>> We were looking at them from
across the street, then we
walked into my property.
>> Judge Judy: And,
Mr. Gutierrez, trees are your
business, correct, sir?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: These are healthy
trees?
>> They were pretty trees.
Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: They were
healthy, pretty trees.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: But as all trees,
you know, sometimes branches
die, they need to be shaped
in a different way.
And then you looked
at the tree also in the back?
>> That was when I came
to do the job,
but, during the estimate,
we only talked
about those two trees.
>> Judge Judy: The two trees.
And what was the estimate
for the two trees?
>> $150.
>> Judge Judy: $150.
Which you agreed to pay him...
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: ...to trim the
trees.
And when did you come back,
Mr. Gutierrez?
>> I called him on the 21st and
told him I'll be there the 22nd.
And we showed up
on the 22nd to do the job.
>> Judge Judy: Came on the 22nd?
>> That is correct.
>> Judge Judy: Were you at home?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And what did you
do, Mr. Gutierrez?
>> Okay. At first, his car was
right there on the driveway,
and I asked him to move the car
because, once I dropped the
tree, it might go towards the
driveway and hit the car.
And he did move the car
because once I removed the tree,
it's going to be a chance,
you know, accidents do happen,
but I didn't want it to hit the
car.
>> Judge Judy: That's the rub of
this case, Mr. Gutierrez,
because the plaintiff only
wanted you to trim these two
trees.
And they are huge trees.
I mean, they're huge trees.
They've been there at least --
These trees look like they'd
been there for 14 years.
>> More than that, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: And certainly,
to trim the trees
for $150 is a reasonable --
>> Okay. May I please interrupt?
>> Judge Judy: You can tell me
whatever you want, but
this is what the case is about.
He said that he blinked,
and you cut down the two trees.
>> During the estimate,
he wanted me to cut it down.
He was complaining
about the tree,
how it's growing this way
and growing that way.
And even though
it's a pretty tree,
I'm listening to him,
but I'm also thinking, well,
you know, I mean, I told him,
"I have a Crepe Myrtle
in my yard,
and they grow pretty fast."
"Yeah, I agree with that."
You know?
But the thing is,
his last words to me was,
"Cut it down,"
those exact words.
>> Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: [ Laughs ]
Mr. Gutierrez.
>> And I was still --
>> Judge Judy: Mr. Gutierrez.
>> Uh-huh. Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: Clearly,
there was a miscommunication
because these two trees
anchor his home,
and before I would have gone
[Laughing] and cut these two
trees down --
And I assume you just left the
stumps, right?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> I have photos of that.
>> Judge Judy: Just a --
[ Laughing ] I'd like to take a
look at them.
I would have gotten it written
in indelible ink that what he
meant was to cut down,
not cut back, not shape.
You have it?
>> I have proof.
>> Judge Judy: I'd like to see
it.
>> That was written during
the day of the estimate.
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
And whose handwriting is this?
>> The light blue is
his writing.
The dark blue is my writing.
>> I'd like to see that,
Your Honor, because I don't
remember signing anything.
>> Judge Judy: "Cut and" --
Just a second.
The light blue is in his
handwriting.
>> His own handwriting with his
pen.
>> Judge Judy: Your telephone
number is [bleep] 7771.
>> That's exactly right.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
And your first name is William?
>> William, yes.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
And there's a price of $150...
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: ...which you
wrote.
And this is your name.
>> Right.
>> Judge Judy: And then I want
you to read what it says
underneath there.
>> "Cut and shape."
>> No.
>> Judge Judy: No, it said,
actually -- your handwriting is
lousy, sir.
It says "Cut," and I looked,
and it looks to me like the word
is S-T-A-K-E.
I don't know what that means.
>> No, I meant "shape."