Good day everyone. I was born and raised in Detroit. Growing up there, I saw people like me running things.
This is a courtroom, not a circus. So, we going to calm down. >> I'm sorry.
>> What I found there was a passion that I didn't know existed. This is the bottom line. I'm excited to freef fall into the limitless possibilities with we the people.
So many are fearful of the law. They think it's something that works against them. I think you need to begin to accept responsibility for your mistakes.
We are the people. Bianca Tenniston claims she traveled out of state to attend the wedding of her best friend, but was disinvited the day of. Tisha London says her friend was critical of her ceremony, so she told her to leave.
>> All right. Court is now in session. The honorable judge Lauren Lake presiding.
>> You may be seated. >> Hello, your honor. >> Hello.
Thank you, Sean. Good day, everyone. >> Good day.
>> This is the case of Tenniston versus London. Miss Tennyston, you are suing Miss London for $650 for travel expenses to the defendant's wedding. Is that correct?
>> Yes, ma'am. >> And Miss London, you say that the plaintiff was disruptive. >> That's correct, your honor.
>> All right. So tell me what happened at this wedding, >> your honor. I came down to the wedding and >> and and Ms.
London was getting married. >> Yes, correct. >> Okay.
What month was this? >> In June. >> In June.
>> Yes. Correct. >> Um and where was the wedding going to be?
The location? >> It was in George County, Maryland. >> In Maryland.
All right. Correct. And how long have you all been friends?
Why were you invited to the wedding? >> Me and Tisha have been friends for over 20 years. >> Oh, a long time.
>> Yeah. Yeah, we actually made a pack that, you know, when we get older that we would get married, be smart, successful women, and that we'll be married by 25. >> All right.
And and are you on point for your goal or what? >> I am I am a mar I'm successful married woman and I do have a child as well. And it took a lot for me to get down to her wedding and I don't, you know, think, your honor, she understands that.
>> Where were you coming from? >> New Jersey. What was the issue as to why you're suing for the travel expenses?
>> Your honor, when I got to the wedding, Tisha kicked me out. >> Really? >> Yes.
>> Why? What happened? >> I got there early, I was super excited for my friend.
And when I seen her, we spoke and I realized that she was getting married to herself, which was a bit awkward to me. I had never encountered someone getting married to theirel and I made a strong opinion about that. And she was very, you know, she kicked me out of her wedding because I felt it was weird.
I was like, "Are you serious? You're really marrying yourself, girl? " Like, >> so why was this news to you?
Presumably, you got an invitation and usually on the invitation, it tells you who is marrying who? >> I received an invitation by text and it wasn't very clear to me. >> You never pick up the phone and say, "Hey girl, so wait, you getting married?
like what's going on? >> Yeah, I asked her. She was getting married, you know, what her fianceé was like.
She told me that he was smart and he was strong and also he was very much like her, an engineer just like her. So, >> so do you remember these questions, this phone call, Miss London? >> I do remember the phone call.
And that's not exactly what happened. >> So, in your estimation, what happened? >> What happened is Bianca, who used to be my best friend, showed up at my wedding and ruined my day.
Basically, I mean, it was a self-affirmation day for myself. And I tried to explain it to her. When I called her, she didn't answer.
When I texted her, she didn't respond. When she finally got around to calling me back, she was barely listening on the phone. I never said he.
But I kept saying, "I'm having an amazing event. I am so proud. I wanted to share my personal growth with what used to be my home girl.
" And she wasn't even listening to me on the phone. I mean, and I was excited about celebrating this monumental choice that I made of celebrating myself. And you gave everybody two weeks to get to a monumental event.
>> I I thought it was enough time. It was just more of an event for myself. If you wanted to come, it was Well, it was I texted I sent a text.
>> You invited people and they spent their money. >> I did. I sent a text.
I said, "If you like to come, please come. I'm doing a celebratory. I'm having a wedding.
I didn't go into great details about it. " And I would have with her had she made time for me, but she didn't. And then when she got there, she mocked me and made fun of me.
And this was a really personal growth. I I I'm a busy woman. I'm smart and intelligent and I'm a civil engineer.
I oversee roads and bridges and infrastructures. And frankly, my work life was a mess and I needed to work on the infrastructure that was me. And I met this amazing therapist and she wrote this amazing book about joy yourself in happiness.
And it reaffirmed my femininity. me. It taught me self-love and I just learned and valued my enoughness and part of that is celebrating by doing a ceremony and she suggested that I marry myself.
>> Oo, that was beautiful. I see why she don't have a lot of time to call you because that >> right >> was a mouthful. >> Coming up.
>> So when I went to go speak with her, she told me like, you know, I'm like she's marrying herself. I was like, are you serious? And so then what happened that got you thrown out?
>> My opinion. I had a very strong opinion. >> And what exactly did you say?
>> Are you crazy? >> And later, >> what is this agreement, Miss Moore? I'll start with you.
>> He needed some video equipment to um do his journalism uh career, one of his many. If you'll be in the Los Angeles area and want to bring your case to court, call 1888-5526878. You're watching We the People with Judge Lauren Lake.
We're back with a dispute between Bianca Tennis and bride Tisha London over a wedding that wasn't. Why is it if you can so eloquently explain all of this to me in court today, couldn't you make the effort to explain this to your best friend? Even if you don't have a time to talk on the phone, there's email, there's text.
I tried to zoom with her a couple times. She had to cancel. I tried to call her several times.
She never called me back. I didn't exactly think about explaining it in a text because it it is a little out of the box. So, hey girl, come join me.
I'm going to marry myself >> there by text and her showing up thinking you're about to get married to a fiance and the fiance is you. >> That's that's true. That is fair.
I was there. I was her maid of honor. I paid for baby showers and maid of honor, bachelorette parties, and so I honestly didn't think that it was going to be that big of an issue.
I just wanted her to be there. And frankly, I was hoping we could reconnect. >> You felt like you had been with her through all of her life events.
>> Yes. And at this point in your life, you weren't having those same life events. Yes, ma'am.
So, Miss Tennyston, I want to go back to you. Take me back to the moment you walk into the event or whatever it was. Does it look like a wedding or what what does it look like when you walk in and then what was your response when you realized it was only Miss London there?
>> Your honor, I when I came in, it looked just like a wedding. Um, honestly, you couldn't really tell the difference. Once I went to go speak with her, she told me like, you know, I'm like, she's marrying herself.
And I was like, are you serious? >> And so then what happened that got you thrown out? >> My opinion.
I had a very strong opinion. >> And what exactly did you say? >> Are you crazy?
>> And so when you heard Miss Tennyson say, "Are you crazy? " What was your response, Miss London? >> I was upset.
this is a special day and I didn't even really get a chance to explain to Bianca what this ceremony meant to me and why I was doing it. She just immediately made a judgment and started mocking me saying that I was crazy. This is stupid.
What a waste of money and waste of time. >> You said >> I said you need to leave if you don't want to be here. And then she said I'm just telling you you're crazy.
And I said then you can just leave. You need to leave. In fact, you need to get out.
And I had my brother escort her out. >> All right. So you got thrown out.
>> Yes. >> And so now you're here in court suing. Why?
because you feel like she owes you for all these travel expenses. >> First of all, it it took a lot for me to even get down. I have a mother that's sick and um a young son that I had to find a babysitter for.
Like, I've always supported Tisha and everything she's done. I even tried to hook her up with a few of my husband's friends. >> Yeah.
Who were dumb and wanted me to dumb down to them. They wanted a little housewife Instagram model. And, you know, I just felt like it wasn't reciprocated.
I'm not going to lie, some of these Instagram models, they're quite smart. They're making an entire living off of taking pictures and clothes. I got to figure out how to do that, Sean.
>> That's true. >> That is true. How much money did you pay for this ceremony?
>> $20,000. >> All right. So, you paid $20,000 to marry yourself?
>> Yes, ma'am. >> And then after you got done, did you feel any differently? Were you feeling empowered and inspired?
>> Honestly, yes, I was. And I hope I inspired some other people who were there. I just I I think that she missed the point and she missed an opportunity to see something that was really transformational for myself.
>> Oh, she missed the point. All right. She missed the point that this was a commitment ceremony to yourself.
Not necessarily a traditional wedding, but a commitment ceremony. I've heard enough because this entire thing doesn't seem uh like it represents what a best friendship of 20 years uh would look like at all. I don't care how many kids you got.
You get a a a text from your best friend that I'm getting married. You make time to call, text back, have a conversation. I didn't even know you met anybody.
Who did you meet? That's wonderful. Oh, you're marrying yourself.
A commitment ceremony. Oh, that's interesting. Where did you learn that from?
It just doesn't take that long, >> right? >> It makes zero sense. >> Agree.
>> Do you agree, Valerie? >> Yes. If it's your best friend of 20 years, with that said, Miss London, this is your best friend of 20 years, you know good and well, people need to understand what kind of event they're coming to.
And I'm just being very clear with you. I can rule on this case or you all can take a minute and figure out how you can work that out. Do you have something you'd like to say to your best friend, Miss London?
>> I missed you. I miss you and I just wanted you to be there. And I know it's weird.
I've always been a little out there, but you've always been ride or die with me, and I really don't care about the money at all. I really don't care. I just wanted you to be there cuz I miss you.
>> I do accept your apology, but I I still feel strongly behind my opinion and I would like to be compensated for my loss. >> You just said, "I don't care about the money. Are you willing to pay her 650 or would you like to say, can we split it or I'd like to offer you this?
" What would you say? >> I'd actually say, "Let's split it. " I mean, I've been there for you financially as well when you had all of your ceremonies, baby showers.
Will you meet her halfway since she's been there for you for all of your events? I will take half of the money. Perfect judgment for the plaintiff for $325.
That was not so bad. That's how friendships work. All right.
Best of luck to you. Court is ajourned. >> All right.
Judge Lake has ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The defendant owes $325. [Music] >> I'm sorry.
>> I'm sorry, too. I'm glad that we came to a compromise and hopefully we can rekindle our friendship. >> Absolutely.
>> Coming up. >> And you got seven halfhour videos, >> right? >> But he wasn't working the whole time that he was with me.
I made him dinner. He was talking to his girlfriend. >> But you got seven edited videos, >> right?
But he's got time there that he's counting as time that he >> What I'm looking for is the email. Stop talking. >> You're watching We the People with Judge Lauren Lake.
Deborah Moore claims she purchased video equipment for her nephew, but then he went back on their repayment agreement. Carl Moore says he created seven videos for his aunt and considered his debt paid. >> Good day everyone.
>> This is the case of Moore versus Moore. Ms. Moore, you are suing Mr Moore for $1,565.
64. He's your nephew. You say he breached your agreement.
Is that correct? >> Yes, your honor. >> All right.
And Mr Moore, you say that you already paid her back. >> Yes, that's right. >> Well, what did he owe you?
What is this agreement, Miss Moore? I'll start with you. >> He needed some video equipment to um do his journalism uh career, one of his many careers that he's been into.
So, I purchased it and he was going to pay me back after 6 months. >> Do you have any evidence of that agreement? >> Yes.
>> All right. I'd like to see that, please. Okay.
>> And this is your nephew? >> He's my nephew. He's my little sister's son.
>> All right. So, he said, "Hey, I want to start a business >> and I need video equipment. " >> Right.
>> Will you help me buy it? >> Yes. >> Is this in the text messages?
>> Yes. >> All right. So, Mr Moore, you wanted to start a video company.
>> I wanted to push my own independent broadcast journalism skills, uh, which can only be done with video equipment and your own social media pages and YouTube pages. >> So, you wanted to advertise and get your broadcast skills out. >> Yes.
In addition to racking up my own clients, social media, video, shooting local businesses, and showing them how to grow their business. >> And didn't I ask him if he wanted to start a video company? >> Yes.
>> Okay. All right. >> Coming up.
>> You said if you help me with my YouTube channel, you don't have to pay back the rest and then you can just have the equipment, right? >> You're watching We the People with Judge Lauren Lake. We're back with the case of Deborah Moore, who brought her nephew, Carl Moore, to court after an agreement between them went south.
>> Did he make the payments or didn't he? >> He made two payments. >> All right.
And there were supposed to be six, >> right? Well, I told him because he was helping me out with my YouTube channel that he didn't have to pay me back the rest of it. But he made this thing that you have in front of you about all the hours that he was spending helping you.
>> Did you get any YouTube videos out of it? >> I did. >> How many?
>> Seven. >> Nine. >> Um, >> 10.
>> Seven or so. And >> so you got seven YouTube videos. >> Yeah.
Okay. But he wrote he made a a invoice over there that said he worked so many hours and he didn't work that many hours because he spent >> How long were these YouTube videos? >> Half hour each.
>> A half an hour. >> Yeah. >> And you got seven half hour videos, >> right?
But he wasn't working the whole time that he was with me. I made him dinner. He was talking to his girlfriend.
>> But you got seven edited videos, >> right? But he's got time there that he's counting as time that he >> What I'm looking for now is the email. Stop talking.
What I'm looking for now is the email or the text where it says, "You don't have me pay me back the rest of the money as long as you help me with these videos. " >> J, I think that was a verbal >> that was a verbal agreement. And you agree to that?
>> She said, >> "Yeah, I told it to. " >> And you agree to that? >> Oh, absolutely.
I was working >> super hard on her own YouTube channel. >> Judge Lakes's verdict when We the People returns. >> You're watching We the People with Judge Lauren Lake.
>> What are you suing him for exactly? >> For the money. What is the $1,56564?
>> That's for the equipment that I purchased. He either needs to give me back the equipment or he needs to pay me for it. >> All right.
Was it in the deal that he would pay for the equipment? And it was in the deal that you would pay for the equipment for 6 months. After two months of payments, you said if you help me with my YouTube channel, you don't have to pay back the rest and then you can just have the equipment, >> right?
Is there anything else anybody needs to say? any other evidence that I haven't reviewed? >> Well, I would just like to add that I did help her with her YouTube channel through the two months and then the third month and then six months and then at that point I think we're square.
>> But you were supposed to be teaching me how to finish. Aunt Deb, can I finish? >> No, you were supposed to be teaching me how to do it.
And instead of teaching me how to do it, you were doing everything but you were mean to me. >> No, it's because >> Laura, stop talking. Just stop.
Let's just stop the madness. >> I would agree, your honor. >> If you wanted him to make the videos for you and still pay you the money, then you should have said that.
But you didn't. You said if you make the videos for me, you can have the equipment. Your case is dismissed.
Judgment for the defendant. Court is adjourned. >> All rise.
>> Judge Lake has ruled in favor of the defendant. The plaintiff's case is dismissed. >> I'm very pleased with the court's decision.
Aunt Deb, I hope to see you at Thanksgiving. >> I am sorry about the way things went and I will see you at Thanksgiving and hopefully >> Christmas. [Music] [Music] This has been a production of Allen Media Group.
