Please be seated. Good morning, Your Honor. Good morning. This is the case of<i>
Bruce v. Miller.</i> Thank you, Jerome.
Good day everyone. ALL: Good day. Miss Bruce you say
your ex-boyfriend was supportive
during your pregnancy and never had any doubt
about paternity. It wasn't until your now 17-month-old
daughter Neveah was born that he started to deny
that he was her father and now does nothing for her. Is that correct? Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Miller, you claim the plaintiff slept
with your friend and you know
that he is Neveah's father because you believe
it is medically impossible for you to father children. Is that correct? Yes, Your Honor. JUDGE LAKE: So Miss Bruce,
you say he needs to step up. BRUCE: That's right. What does he do
for you daughter? Nothing. (AUDIENCE GROANING) He hasn't done anything
for my daughter
all this year. I mean I have been there
the whole time
that she was pregnant, you know... But this year she is correct,
I haven't done much because of the situation being the way
that is between her and I. That has nothing to
with our daughter. She still needs food,
she still needs daycare. And you still need to prove
that she is mine. And so you've been pretty much
doing this on your own. Right. Right. So take me back.
I want to understand the nature
of your relationship. How you all met. Got together. BRUCE: I met him years ago
at a party. We talked for a minute.
I wasn't really interested. We didn't really talk much
for few years and then he contacted me
on Facebook in January of 2012 and we've been talking
ever since then. Talking. What's that mean? Well, we started talking... You've been doing more
than talking if Neveah is here. Right. Yeah, right. JUDGE LAKE:
And he could potentially
be the father. And then quickly, he moved in. And then we started
to, you know... So wait, how quickly
after you met
that he move in? Very soon. Like a month. (AUDIENCE EXCLAIMING) So a month after you... MILLER: No, this is... That...
Let me stop her right there. I met her technically,
like, 10 years ago. So it was like we were already
familiar with each other. So, the process just went
faster because of that. And is it
a committed relationship? Are you boyfriend
and girlfriend? It was never committed
apparently, ever. Ever. It was never
a monogamous relationship. On whose side? I found out very early on... On both sides? BRUCE: No. I found out very early on
that he had been
doing things... outside of our relationship. MILLER: That's
a true statement.
Yeah.That's true. Things happen between us,
we broke up so there was
no more commitment. But we continue to deal
with each other
on other levels. Right... Deal with each other
on other levels. Just go on, tell the story. MILLER: Yes, sex. Okay, so you still continued
to have sex. We were...
Things like hanging out still,
like in a relationship. Living together.
We were living together. We were on and off
through out
the last five years. It was never
on the whole five years.
Let me say that. JUDGE LAKE:<i>
But you were on enough
at some point</i> <i>you found out
you were pregnant.</i> BRUCE:<i> Right.</i> JUDGE LAKE:<i>
So when you got pregnant,</i> was this during a time
you were together
and committed... MILLER: No. ...or broken up? We were broken up. We were broken up
but we were
still sleeping together. So, you find out
you're pregnant. BRUCE: Mmm-hmm. When you found out
you're pregnant take me to that day,
what happened? BRUCE: Him and I both, we both went up
to a drug store, we both got a test, we both came back to my house. I took it. Called him in there.
He saw it was positive. We got along fine throughout
my pregnancy all the way
up until the eighth month. So, wait. Was he happy? Yes. We were broken up,
she was with who knows. Just because the test come back
that she is positive pregnant don't mean I'm positive
the father. Right, and we... We discussed... JUDGE LAKE: True. And we discussed getting a DNA test
and I was okay with that. Because we hadn't
been together. <i>I was okay with getting
the DNA test.</i> So immediately there was
a discussion of a DNA test. BRUCE: Wait! Yeah, no. Immediately you expressed that you may or may not be
the father of this child. MILLER: Yeah. Right. Going in to her...
Going in to her pregnancy, she weren't even four
or may be five months pregnant before I was like,
"Hey we gonna have
to get a DNA test done?" But did you said you thought
she was yours for that reason? I never ever rule out
the possibility
that she is mine. Because I know
that I was having sex
with you, unprotected, so the possibility is there. JUDGE LAKE: So why
the discuss, Miss Bruce. Because if I listen
to Mr Miller's testimony
he is basically saying she got pregnant
during the time
when we weren't committed. So while I know I can
potentially be the father I don't know if there
could potentially be
another father. Right. I don't disagree
with you that he had a reason to want a DNA test. But it's just the way
he asked me for it after our child got here.
He said, "She just don't look like me.
I need a blood test."
Is what he said. Okay, but you already know it. JUDGE LAKE:
Oh, so you're saying... So I understood. Had I...
If I was in his position, and I was the man
and he was the woman, I would want
a DNA test as well. Because you never know
what someone is doing
behind your back. So I understood the fact
that he wanted the test. So you have the opportunity... We're in court now.
So you have the opportunity
to testify. Were you doing something else,
with someone else? No. But you believe she slept
with your friend. Right. Yes.
That's what I believe. And it's, like...
During her pregnancy, he started to just, kinda, pull away from...
You know, from me. I'm not thinking much of it,
you know, but it was when she had the baby that things really
came into light as far as the friend
is concerned because the day
that she gave... Well, the day that
she went into labor... She had a c-section. And I'm up there
in the hospital
when the child is born. <i>One of my friends</i> <i>gladly welcomes the child,</i> like a friend will welcome
his friend's child. Like, "Hey, let me hold
the baby." The one that's been distant,
that's exactly how he was
in the hospital that day. He don't want to hold the baby
but I noticed
how he looked at the child. Really? When he came into the room,
it was one of
those looks, like... He wanted to see the baby, but not be dealt with the baby. BRUCE: He is delusional. Oh! If you want more episodes
of Paternity Court Make sure to subscribe
and click on
the notification bell. Your friend of 30 years... This is a person
you know very well... Right. ...was acting
uncharacteristically different. Right. When the child was born the friend, he gave me a gift with some onesies in it. One of the onesies
specifically said, "My daddy is the 'blank'." Okay, I won't say the name
because the name that was
on the onesie is the nickname
that the friend goes by. (AUDIENCE EXCLAIMING) What? I have that right here. Thank you. So you say, this friend, who started acting funny, brings you two onesies
for the baby. MILLER: Mmm-hmm. JUDGE LAKE:<i> And it has
the other guy's name.</i> <i>His... His nickname.
Not his real name.</i> But I'm his friend.
I know what you go by,
of course. She knew it.
She is hurrying
putting up back in box... He is lying. He is lying. And I never seen
the baby wear it. So did you get a onesie that had his friend's
nickname on it? No. No. So one of you are...
One of you are lying. BRUCE: He's lying. Because it can't be... I'm not lying. He is crazy. Are you still in touch
with that friend? No. You confronted him
about this paternity issue? MILLER:
Oh, yeah, I confronted him
about this situation. Well, matter of fact
he actually reached out to me.
Calling my phone. He is like... Soon as I held the phone,
I go, "Hello." He is like,
(IMITATING FRIEND'S ACCENT)
"Hey, what's this all about? "You think Kelly baby
is my baby." I was like, "Oh, yeah,
that's exactly what I think." Do you have any other reasons why you feel like this friend
could potentially be... MILLER: Yes, I mean... Miss Bruce's... I have also... Since the baby been here,
I've had people calling me and saying,
"We've seen your baby mom car
in his neighborhood." So, in... All right, hold on. So, you submitted an exhibit
to the court. Right. To explain... Yes. ...this situation. All right,
I would like to, uh... ...see this exhibit. Okay. This is the neighborhood
that he lives in. Out there is
a residential neighborhood, ain't no stores out there,
no clubs, no place but somebody's house. So, you're saying this, her car was spotted
in this neighborhood. MILLER:<i> Right. Not once.</i> Twice somebody
done called me. BRUCE:
But did you see my car?
Did you see it? MILLER: No. I never said
that I saw her car. Okay. Okay. All right. But someone has reached out
to me. BRUCE: So someone else
is more believable. They seen my baby mama car in this man neighborhood. So you think she is
in this neighborhood
because she is taking the baby to see... That's what I originally
was thinking. ...your friend? Right. So, Miss Bruce, you're saying
that this story is fabricated. Completely fabricated. JUDGE LAKE:
Why would multiple people say <i> they saw your car?</i> BRUCE:<i> No one said that.</i> Mr. Miller had said that.
Nobody has... No. Somebody said that. How do you know?
How do you know,
ain't nobody said that? Nobody has...
'Cause I know him. I know you. I know you. Nobody had said that. You're one of the biggest
lying (BLEEP) I seen. Nobody has said that. Hold on. (AUDIENCE EXCLAIMING) Let's be respect... BRUCE: Right. I didn't have any...
Me and him... (MUTTERS) So you deny all of this. BRUCE: Yes. MILLER: Yeah, of course. I'm not gonna admit
to anything I haven't done. JUDGE LAKE:
So when Neveah was born... No, you did. And Mr. Miller was there
for the birth? BRUCE:
He was there for the birth. Because I asked him to be.
Because a month prior to that
he was MIA. He left my house
when I was
eight months pregnant and he went
and got his own place. And claimed it was
for her daughter but she never once went
to that house, ever. Oh, why she ain't gone there?
Why she ain't been there? When I tried... And when I tried to establish paternity... Why ain't my daughter
come to my house? Excuse me.
When I tried to establish... Tell them why my daughter... Is it your daughter? I signed the birth certificate,
so technically
it is my daughter. BRUCE: It is. MILLER: Okay. JUDGE LAKE:<i> Okay, now...</i> <i>She has his last name.</i> <i> We are testifying.</i> This is your daughter
under the law. MILLER: Right. Right. You are the legal father. We do not know if you're
the biological father... Right. ,,,but you're
he legal father. That is right. If, in fact,
it is determined today that he is not
the biological father... BRUCE: Mm-hmm. ...then he can go back
to your home state and petition the court
to have his name removed. BRUCE: I'm aware of that. Yes, I'm confident.
I don't have anything
to worry about. I also have a picture
that I wanted
to show you, since he... JUDGE LAKE:
You brought evidence? A photo? Yes. Yes. Jerome, will you please hand me
that photo, please. John had said that he was
so doubtful for so long,
you know. That's just a picture
after my child was born. JUDGE LAKE: All right. Of him and her. So this is
a picture of you. BRUCE: Right. I just think it's And this is the picture
of beautiful Neveah. BRUCE:<i> odd that someone
that's really that sure...</i> MILLER:<i>
See, that's the whole thing.</i> BRUCE:<i> Can I speak here?</i> It was part of
that I'm a man who was dealing with a woman and she got pregnant. And me being
the type of man I am, knowing that I'm even
the mere possibility, I don't know who
you've been sleeping with... But just the fact
that I'm a possibility
I'd been the one to step up. That's the funny part.
You're gonna step up
and take a picture? Well, thank you. (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) I mean if you look at...
Hold on. Hold on. I gotta figure this out.
I can't continue...
I ain't going 18 years... All right. Take a breath. Okay. (INHALING DEEPLY) Take a breath. BRUCE: I just, like... No! Take a breath! The look on your face,
Mr Miller? (AUDIENCE LAUGHING) <i> The look on your face
to me says, doubt.</i> <i>MILLER: Right. So that should
let you know how long
it's been present. In me.</i> You said in your court file,
you don't even think
it's medically possible for you to have children. MILLER: Right. Explain that to the court. This child was conceived
when I was 35 years old. JUDGE LAKE: But you signed
the birth certificate. Right. I never had...
I never had
any children prior to this. And I'm pretty...
Real sexually active guy. You know, I never had any kids,
so when she got pregnant, I was just kinda
wondering, like... Hey, I don't even want to know. And so you believe, what,
you have a low sperm count? Yes, ma'am. I believe
my sperm count is low. And I don't believe
that I can father a child. When we get to this courtroom,
we're about answers. MILLER: Yes, ma'am. BRUCE: Thank you, ma'am. And so we ordered you
to undergo a semen analysis. And we have those results. MILLER: Mmm-hmm. Jerome, can you please escort
Dr. Jameelah Gater
into the courtroom? Hello, Dr. Gater. Hi. Right up
to the witness stand. Thank you. Hi, Dr. Gater. Hi. Thank you so much
for being here with us. We are here discussing
the paternity
of beautiful baby Neveah. Mr. Miller has indicated
through his testimony, he believes he has
a low semen count. So can you explain Mr. Miller's results
specifically. Yes, so in Mr. Miller's case, his total volume of sperm in the actual analysis,
was quite low. His actual total sperm count was also borderline low
at 19 million. So, normal is closer
to 40 million. His motility was actually
very low. Normally males,
50% of their sperm
are motile which increases the chance
of pregnancy because the sperm has to swim to the egg,
to basically fertilize it. So, in Mr. Miller's case only 24% of the sperm
were motile. Which is very low. What is the chance
that he would be able
to father a child? Because here, we, of course,
are talking about paternity. So it's possible still
for Mr. Miller <i> to father a child
with a low sperm count.</i> <i> But the likelihood
goes down significantly
with a sperm count that low.</i> JUDGE LAKE: Very interesting. So, when you hear that,
Mr. Miller does that in any way affect
your belief as you came
into this courtroom what you feel about Neveah. You know,
when I'm hearing this, this confirms that thought
that I had. You know,
I don't want her to do "Oh, that's your baby.
Oh, that's your baby." Like it was just me-me-me
that she is dealing with.
Like claiming it. All right, so, Miss Bruce,
so has your position changed? Nope. It looks like it's clear
from here on out he shouldn't have
any more kids. But he is got mine. Well, we'll see. They were swimming fine then. (AUDIENCE EXCLAIMING) Okay. Well, that's all
that matter, right? That's right. We'll find out. Where they were swimming... At the... JUDGE LAKE: All right. End of the day, I just want him
to be in her life. I want him to be father
to my daughter.
She deserves that. Those are your hopes? Those are my hopes. I just want him to get past
some of the anger
that he has towards me, in order to stop hindering
the relationship with her, once he finds out
that she is his. Well, let's get to the truth. Let's do that. So, we can see
where we go from here. Okay. Jerome. (APPLAUSE) These results were prepared
by DNA Diagnostics. And they read as follows. In the case of<i>
Bruce v. Miller...</i> When it comes to 17-month-old
Neveah Miller... It has been determined
by this court... Mr. Miller, you... ...are the father. Yeah, okay. (CHEERING) You are the father. That's...
That's perfect for me. That's your gorgeous
little girl. I really appreciate it
and I apologize to her for the way
that I've handled
the situation thoughout this whole year
and throughout the... Just step up
and be my baby's daddy, that's all I want you to do.
That's it. MILLER: My baby... So when you look
at your little girl now, I see you feel emotional. Why do you feel that? Because I'm... I've allowed so many
different influences to keep me from me. JUDGE LAKE: Hmm. Well said. Because when you make a child, it is a part of you. Yes, this is weighing
heavy on me. So... It's great
to find out the truth once and for all,
to be able to do
what needs to be done. And I see you're emotional,
Miss Bruce. 'Cause I know
this has been a long road. (APPLAUSE) You understand,
that much of this is a symptom
of your toxic relationship. Mmm-hmm. Both of you are more
than intelligent enough
to have solved this DNA situation, months ago. I see you can't even keep
your eyes off her, Mr. Miller. It's my baby. She'd been waiting on you. MILLER: Yeah, I know. Every little girl
wants her daddy. BRUCE: Yes. We have counseling
and resources for you. I want you to talk to Dr. Jeff
about how to do this. Co-parenting is not easy. But you can do it. Neveah is worth it. Right. I wish you the very best.
Court is adjourned. Thank you. (APPLAUSE)
