long do you know the defendant?
>> About 20 years.
>> Judge Judy: You met him in
school?
>> We went to the same schools,
but we just stayed
in the same neighborhood.
We knew each other
outside of school.
>> Judge Judy: Other than just
being in the same neighborhood,
did you ever date him?
>> No.
>> Judge Judy: Just friends.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And how did
you keep in touch with him?
>> We would see each other,
and then we started
to work with each other
when we became adults also.
>> Judge Judy: What company?
>> Progressive insurance.
>> Judge Judy: Do you still
work there?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: Does he?
>> No.
>> Judge Judy: Did he get fired?
>> I believe so.
>> I sure didn't.
>> Judge Judy: What?
>> I did not get fired.
I left on my own accord.
>> Judge Judy: When?
>> September of 2017.
>> Judge Judy: But you were
working there during the time
that you were living
in her home.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: So you had a job.
>> Yeah.
>> Judge Judy: How many months
did you live in her house?
>> I moved in July of 2016,
moved out March of 2017.
>> Judge Judy: Did you have an
agreement, sir, with the
plaintiff to pay her rent?
Because at the time
that you took over the house,
you were working.
>> That's correct.
I was working.
>> Judge Judy: And why would
somebody with whom you were
just an acquaintance -- you
worked at the same place --
give you a house?
Because you got this house in a
divorce, according to you,
and you chose to live elsewhere.
So you had this house
that was available...
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: ...that you
could rent.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: So, why would
she give you the house, sir,
without charging you rent
when you were working at
the same company, had a salary?
Why would you
think that there was no --
Why would you think
that there was no rent?
>> Well, Your Honor, she and I
had been friends since --
for two decades.
>> Judge Judy: I don't care.
>> She was more of a sister
to me than my own sister was.
>> Judge Judy: I don't care.
Why would you think --
She has certain expenses
to maintain a house.
>> Right.
>> Judge Judy: If you have a
house --
>> Well, the house was paid off.
>> Judge Judy: You have taxes.
>> Yeah.
>> Judge Judy: Yeah.
That you have to pay. Taxes.
>> And stuff.
>> Judge Judy: There were
expenses, insurance.
You have to pay things
on a house.
You may have been friends,
but you had a job.
>> I did.
>> Judge Judy: Well, then,
why do you think
I should believe when you say --
Because you
swore in your answer
there was never an agreement
to pay rent.
"All of a sudden,
after a few months, she started
hounding me for rent."
Why would you think, when you
had a job, she would think,
"I'm going to let I'm live there
for nothing"?
>> Because she was my good
friend and she knew how badly
I was struggling and that I had
medical issues.
>> Judge Judy: Well, you didn't
have medical issues.
According to you,
you were working at the time
that you moved into the house.
>> Right.
In and out of work, though.
>> Judge Judy: According to you,
you were working...
>> Okay.
>> Judge Judy: ...when you moved
into the house.
So, the answer is you don't have
an answer for me.
>> That would be correct,
Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: Perfect.
So you lived there for July,
August, September,
October, November, December,
January, February, and you
moved out the beginning of March
or the end?
>> Middle of March.
>> Judge Judy: Middle of March.
March.
You owe for nine months rent.
And how much was his rent?
>> It was $400.
>> And I did pay...
>> Your Honor --
>> Judge Judy: Just a -- Whoa.
You paid some?
>> I did pay some.
Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: How much?
>> I believe I paid July,
August, September,
and I believe that was it.
>> Judge Judy:
So you paid for three months?
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Judge Judy: Is that correct?
>> Also, he paid in November.
He paid $400 also.
>> Judge Judy: Then you just
lied to me in your answer,
I mean, because your answer said
that there was
never an agreement to pay rent.
You said, "The house was
damaged when I moved in, but
since I was going to be living
for free, I was thankful to have
a roof over my head."
>> Yeah. I was.
>> Judge Judy: But that's a lie.
>> I had agreed to help her
if I could once my situation
got better financially.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
$2,000 for rent.
Now, did she also let you
use her car?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: Why do you think
she let you use her car?
>> Because she was
a very good friend.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
So, she let you use her car,
and when you moved out in March
because she was --
Where did you go in March?
>> I went to my friend
Dina's house.
>> Judge Judy:
Were you just couch-hopping,
or what were you doing?
>> No.
At that point,
she actually had a bedroom
that somebody
had vacated who was renting,
so I rented from her.
And now I reside at my own
place.
>> Judge Judy: What did you do
to her car?
>> Her car?
I didn't do anything to her car.
I mean, I used her car, but I
didn't do anything to it.
Her car is in fine condition.
>> Judge Judy: Hmm?
>> Her car is in fine condition.
>> Judge Judy: It was impounded.
>> Yeah, that happened, but, I
mean, we got it out.
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
[ Laughter ]
It was impounded because...
>> Because I think I parked
in a place that
I wasn't supposed to park it at.
>> Judge Judy: Did you also
get tickets on the car?
>> Not to my knowledge.
I mean, I've always been
a very safe driver.
>> Judge Judy: I'm not talking
about a safe driver.
Did you ever park it more than
once where you weren't
supposed to park it?
>> That's a possibility.
>> Judge Judy: How many times,
Ms. Perryman?
>> Five.
>> Oh, there's no way
it was five -- maybe twice.
>> Judge Judy: May I see
the tickets, please?