is suing her friend's mother,
Mary Williams,
for the return of money
she paid for her car
and punitive damages
for harassment and deception.
>> Judge Judy: So this is
what it is about, Ms. Phinisee.
According to you, you agreed
to purchase a car
from the defendant.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: The car actually
belonged to her godfather,
but you have power
of attorney for him.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And you did
that at the end
of November of last year.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And you took
possession of the car.
Your agreement was that you were
supposed to pay
for the car payment
which was how much per month?
>> $283.
>> Judge Judy: Because that
was owed to a finance company?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: Plus the
insurance.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And you made
that payment to her?
>> Yes, I made it
to Mary Williams.
>> Judge Judy: How much did you
pay her?
>> The initial payment was $350.
That was for the car note...
>> Judge Judy: And the
insurance.
>> ...plus a small portion
of the insurance.
Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And that was for
December.
>> That was for November.
I got the car November 22nd.
>> Judge Judy: The 22nd.
So that was for the whole month
of November?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: So you paid
for the whole month of November?
>> I paid in advance. Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And when
did you pay in December?
>> December 1st.
>> Judge Judy: How much did you
pay her?
>> I paid her $600 in December.
>> Judge Judy: Why did you pay
her $600 in December?
>> Because she said I owed her
for the insurance
for the month of November
that they had to reactivate
to put back on the car.
>> Judge Judy: And you have
proof of those payments?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Judge Judy: I'd like to see
them.
So you paid her December 30th,
$592.
>> For the month of January.
>> Judge Judy: You paid her
February 2nd, $556.
>> For the month of February.
>> Judge Judy: December 1st,
you paid her $250.
November payment was $250.
Okay.
Then we come to March, and
you've had the car at this time.
So, in total, how much did you
pay her all together?
>> $2,148.
>> Judge Judy: And that was for
both the car and the insurance?
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And then somehow
you heard that she wasn't paying
the insurance.
>> I had been asking her
for 3 months
for a new insurance card.
>> Judge Judy: Okay.
And you didn't get it.
So on March 1st, you didn't
give her March's payment.
>> Correct.
>> Judge Judy: And then
she came to get the car.
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: And did you give
her the car?
>> No, I did not.
She came to my house
with the police.
>> Judge Judy: So you have the
car?
>> Yes, I do.
>> Judge Judy: And was the car
disabled?
>> When I drove it last,
it was not.
When she came to my home
to retrieve it,
when I went to drive it
that night, it was disabled.
now?
>> It is parked in front
of my friend's home.
>> Judge Judy: Parked in front
of your friend's home where?
>> In West Philadelphia.
>> Judge Judy: Address.
>> I believe her address is...
>> Judge Judy: Not a "believe."
>> 51...
>> Judge Judy: And how did it
get there
if it was disabled?
>> We had it towed there.
>> Judge Judy: And how long has
it been there?
For a month? On the street?
>> It has been parked there
for about two...
It has been parked there
since March 7th.
I'm sorry.
>> Judge Judy: Not moved.
>> No, not moved. Just parked.
Like I told Ms. Mary,
I told her,
if she was to return my money,
then I would give her her keys
back to the car.
I wanted to work it out
and not have to come to court,
but she refused.
And when we spoke
with the police...
>> Judge Judy: Just a second.
Well, that is very easy.
Ms. Williams, the car was not
worth $2,100 for her
to drive it for 3 months.
Do you understand?
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Judge Judy: You got into a
kerfuffle because
she wanted the insurance card,
and you didn't give it to her.
She said, "If you don't give me
the insurance card for March,
I'm not paying you
the March payment."
That's what happened,
because you have a counterclaim.
You said, "I don't want the car.
I just want money."
Because you have a counterclaim,
correct?
>> Yes.
>> Judge Judy: That is
dismissed.
That is dismissed.
You're going to get
your car back.
That is what the deal is.
She didn't make March's payment.
You can have the car back.
She wants her money back.
Well, it's not fair for you
to get all your money back
because you did have use
of the car for 3 months.
>> She deceived me, Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me.
>> I'm sorry.
>> Judge Judy: Listen to me
carefully.
>> Okay.
>> Judge Judy: You drove her car
for 3 months.
I think $2,100
is far too expensive...
>> With the intention to buy,
Your Honor.
>> Judge Judy: Listen.
I don't care.
>> There are 36 payments left
on the car.
She told me it was
6 months left!
Six! There's 3 years!
I would have never entered
an agreement with her
to purchase that vehicle.
>> Judge Judy: You're a very
smart lady.
Look how you're trying
to talk over me.