Please be seated. Hello, Your Honor. Hello. This is the case of<i>
White v. Flowers.</i> Thank you Jerome.
Good day everyone. AUDIENCE: Good day. Ms. White, you say you have
no doubt when it comes to who your
four-month-old child Major's
biological father is. Even though you were intimate
with the neighborhood
ice cream man <i> during the window
of conception.</i> You are seeking a DNA test
as well as $1,846.54 in childcare
expenses, correct? Correct. Mr. Flowers, you say you have
no reason to believe you are
the child in question's father and, in fact, say, Ms. White
will pin this child on anyone that has some
money to give her. Am I correct? Yes, ma'am. All right. Ms. White, why do
you claim Mr. Flowers owes you $1,846.54
for childcare expenses? Well, 'cause basically I
bought diapers, stroller, crib detergent, toys. I bought
everything for my son that
he needs as an infant. He hasn't bought anything.
The things he did buy
he took back to the store. What do you mean? Uh, he bought him two outfits
and he returned them. Mr. Flowers, you took
the outfits back? Yes ma'am.
He couldn't fit 'em. Probably would've took about
three months for him to
be able to fit the clothes. Well, you know we buy the
baby's stuff a little bit big
so they have room to grow. Not four, five months too big. Right. Well, listen. Did you take the
clothes back because they
couldn't fit him... Or did you take the clothes
back because you... No. Cause he wanted cigarettes,
he didn't have no money,
and beer... You took the baby's clothes
back for cigarettes? WHITE: Pretty much. No. WHITE: He's lying. All right, Ms. White, you say
Mr. Flowers is the father. <i> Yes.</i> <i> You have no doubt...</i> <i> No doubt.</i> <i> In your mind?</i> Somewhat doubt but with me
and Mr. Flowers... JUDGE LAKE: Somewhat doubt? Tell me why you believe he is. Because, me and Mr. Flowers,
that's all we did
was have sex. You know? That was our
relationship. It was based on
sex, sex, sex. Unprotected sex at that.
So... And you were having sex with
Mr. Flowers during
the window of conception? Yes. And you weren't
using protection? No, ma'am. Mr. Flowers, you say
you have doubt? FLOWERS: Yes ma'am. And why is that? I ain't puttin' no leash and
collar on nobody's neck. We was doing what we do
but at the same time if she
wanted to go out and kick it or whatever it is she wanted
to do, she was allowed
to do it, right? So, it was a sexual
relationship with no
expectation of commitment. Pretty much. He had other females that
he was with, so of course
this wasn't gonna bother him. Did you ever tell him you
were pregnant? Yes ma'am. I actually inboxed
him the pregnancy test. And your response was? WHITE: Nothing.
He never responded. I don't know. And so, all the way through
your pregnancy, Mr. Flowers
wasn't there? No doctor's appointment? No doctor's appointment. When Major was born? He came around in February.
I let him come back because
I wanted him to see his son. <i> So the baby was born?</i> <i> Right.</i> So the bottom line is when
you came back and
you saw the baby, did you believe Major
was your child? Yes and no for the simple fact
I'm not saying it to where... Can't like, "All right, that's
my baby," and then three, four years
later, you go have a test done and it ain't your baby. That does, in fact, happen
Mr. Flowers. Right. Now, how did you find out
about this other guy,
Mr. Flowers? Me and Ms. White, we was
kickin' it and I had spun. I had spent the night
over there. She fell asleep,
text message come through. And this...
(WHISTLES) Man, I don't even know where
to begin there, Judge.
It get real explicit in there. That's only because he
wasn't around.
He wasn't around. FLOWERS: I never said
nothing to her neither 'cause I ain't the
argumentative, fighting
type of guy. I found out what it is, keep my grass cut now. When you saw that text,
that only validated your concerns and the
questions you had about
the paternity. Yes ma'am. It kicked me
right in my head. I already
had doubt but once I seen them text
messages, it was only poppin'
from there. I already knew the deal. WHITE: Yeah,
he ran with that. So, you think this other guy
is Major's father? Yeah. Could be. (WHITE SCOFFS) And that other guy, Mr. Miles
is his name, is here today. Jerome, I'd like to hear
from Mr. Miles. As it stands for me,
that's my maybe baby. Mr. Miles, thank you
for joining us today. No problem. Ms. White has admitted that
she had a sexual encounter
with you. And Mr. Flowers believes
you are the baby's father. Were you, in fact, in
a sexual relationship with
Ms. White? Was it ongoing? Was this
just a one-night thing? Well, yes. Actually, we only did it
like four times. So you just went out
about four times. So this
wasn't a relationship. It wasn't a committed
relationship? No. Did you use protection? I used protection three times
but the last time I didn't. Right. So, therefore you
understand that there's
a possibility that you could be
this child's father? It's possible. A possibility. Ms. White, how did you see the
nature of the relationship
with Mr. Miles? It was just entertainment. When you say "entertainment",
what do you... I mean, it's not like
it's a movie. (AUDIENCE CHUCKLING) No, because William not
around, you know.
He had stuff for me to do. 'Cause you ain't
want me around. He was on the ice cream
truck, you know.
We kickin' it. You know, we go to
the house, party.
Do whatever, whatever. And, you know, he was
somebody to have fun with. While you're telling
Mr. Flowers he's the father, did you ever tell
Mr. Miles he was the
father, too? No. You is a liar.
You are a liar. I really did not. JUDGE LAKE: What did she
tell you, Mr. Miles? She had called me.
We talked a little bit and
then she come talkin' about, "Yeah, it's a possibility
that Major could be your
child." So she told you? Yeah. She told me that. And then I had told her, uh,
'cause really actually,
Your Honor, I got eight kids, okay? All my kids look just like me
or they got some type
of features. You see the baby?
That's your baby. Do you see that baby in me? That is not my baby. That's your baby. That is not my baby.
Look at that baby. He has no features,
no nothing. And so, at the point you saw
him and you didn't see your
features then what did you
tell Ms. White? I didn't tell her at the time.
I just said in my head, like, "Wow, this is not my child."
You know what I mean? Have you done anything
for the child, after you met
the child? Did you try to help? All I had bought the baby
was a bag of diapers
and that's it. Normally, she's got money.
I don't even know why she
even asked me for it. But, it's $500 from where
we at to do a DNA test. Now, if she would've came
and said, "Let's go half," I would've did that.
We would've worked that. But I'm looking at the baby
and... <i> Putting out $500 for what?</i> <i> You know what I mean?
I could tell he's not mine.</i> JUDGE LAKE: So, you did buy
some things for the baby? I bought just
a bag of diapers. You bought some diapers. That's it. And you bought those, why? If the baby was mine,
I wouldn't want to see the
baby without diapers. So Mr. Flowers, was she
asking you for diapers or
anything for the baby as well? The whole pregnancy, this is
what I was going through,
Your Honor. What is that, sir?
Jerome, run that back
to me please. Text messages from her phone. The whole time he was
texting me asking for sex. FLOWERS: It's like this... It wasn't about the baby. You've handed me evidence.
These are text messages... Yes, ma'am. From Ms. White to you. Yes, ma'am. And the first one says... The next text says... I ain't no drug dealer so
I ain't getting money
on the daily, ma'am. So, when I text Mr. Flowers
that my baby need a dad
that's gonna be there. That's basically what I mean. No, you said, "getting money
on a daily". That's gonna be there daily.
Getting money, being there
physically... JUDGE LAKE: But what I want
you to understand... Listen. Before your texts paint you
as a woman that's just looking
for money in all different directions,
'cause I ain't
gonna lie to you, that's kind of what it's
looking like... It's not... What I want to understand
is, it was this man you really
wanted to be the father but you knew you
had sex with this man
as well? Yeah. Yes, ma'am. JUDGE LAKE: Okay. Mr. Miles, are you
in a relationship? Yes. This situation has been
affecting this relationship? Tearing it down. JUDGE LAKE: Tell me. Tearing it down And you tore it down. Well, what it was, I was
trying to work it out
with my fiancee when me and her was still
kicking it. Oh, okay. So while you
were still with Ms. White... I mean, we never had
no relationship. Right, you made that clear,
but while you were still
with her you were trying to
mend this relationship with
your fiancee. And now you all are
back together? Yes. Her last name is? Whitfield. Is Ms. Whitfield here
in the courtroom today? Yes, Your Honor. You are? Yes. Please stand. Step forward to the podium
if you don't mind. I have to say, Ms. Whitfield,
you don't look happy. I understand that this has
caused a lot of difficulties
in your relationship. Yes, Your Honor. You all are planning to
get married? Yes. Next February
on my birthday. Please explain how this has
affected you and your
relationship. Well, it's been hard.
It's hurtful. She's a home-wrecker. I could never be a
home-wrecker when your home
was already wrecked. But you knew about me.
You knew... Your home was already wrecked
when he was buying
my ice cream. You knew about me. No, I did not! You knew about me. No, I did not know
nothing about you. You disrespected
another woman. He just said you
weren't together. If you want to disrespect
yourself that's one thing, but you also disrespected
another woman. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING) I did not disrespect you. Another woman.
You knew we were together. Despite the situation,
you knew we were together. You was... Y'all was... Oh, he's got his
responsibility. JUDGE LAKE: Ms. Whitfield? Yes, Your Honor. Let me just ask you,
how did you find out about
the baby? A mutual friend of ours. Me and Mr. Miles were
struggling with
our relationship but we were trying to work
on some things and they felt that I needed
to know that, um, possibly that my fiancee, ah, was the father of
Ms. White's baby. And when you found out
you confronted your fiancee? Yes. I confronted him
and, um, he lied. He told me that it
wasn't his and, ah... And I'm a home-wrecker. You are. You are because you still
knew about me. No, I did not. No, I didn't. Yes, you did. You still knew about me. You still continue to
mess with me and you bought Pampers
for my baby. He's taking responsibility
for that now. Are you taking responsibility
for being a home-wrecker? (ALL TALKING OVER EACH OTHER) Ladies and gentlemen, let's
talk one at a time. I want to understand this. You don't even know
who's your baby's daddy. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING) You got two men here.
Two men! I do know, baby. One of them is mine.
And you can't... You're standing right next
to him, boo-boo.
That's the baby's daddy. Then why is my fiancee up
here, too? Because he's just here. Right. WHITFIELD: 'Cause you were
sleeping with him too. No. He's just here so that
you can know that your
man ain't real. And your man doesn't even
think that he's the daddy. I'm just waiting for somebody
to bring up Major. Because everybody's talking
in circles. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING) Everybody's got something to
say. Everybody's finger-pointing. <i> And this baby's five months
old, doesn't know who
his father is.</i> <i> And the thing about it,</i> you all arguing, but basically
got the same testimony. You were sleeping with her,
you were sleeping with her. Pretty much, but I'm the
home-wrecker. I only did it four times,
though. She was with him, I don't
know how long. With a fiancee. JUDGE LAKE: Mr. Miles, you
already know it
only takes once. Ms. Whitfield. JUDGE LAKE: Did you hear of
anything that would indicate which of these two men... WHITE: He kept her in the
dark. ...is the child's father? I don't believe he is.
I hope he's not. If he is the father,
what is your plan? What do you plan to do? I don't know. Support my son. And deal with it. No. No. You are that baby's
mother, I'm not. Yeah, but you're the fiancee. You're part of that baby's... You are that
baby's mother. It's gonna be
part of him too. So, Ms. White, you're suing him for $1,846.54 in childcare expenses.
Am I correct? Yes, ma'am. Do you have receipts
for any of the items you've
purchased on Major's behalf? Yes, ma'am. May I see those please? Sure. What do
these receipts
reflect? Basically, everything I bought
for my baby
before he came into the world. Pampers, diapers... That kind of claim
might be right. Detergent. I ain't taking care of
no baby that ain't mine. Period. It just ain't
gonna happen. (SCOFFS) So these are receipts
for crib, playpen,
stroller, clothing... Yes. Ms. White, so you're suing
for $1,846.54. WHITE: Mmm-hmm. That's the amount... What's she buying,
Gucci and Prada? That all of these purchases have totaled for five months. (AUDIENCE LAUGHING) Well, Mr. Flowers,
babies are expensive. It's very expensive. JUDGE LAKE:
They are expensive. So listen. Listen.
At the end of the day, he will not owe
the child anything if he's not
Major's biological father. WHITE: Okay. So I will have to wait to rule
on your suit after we have
the DNA results. Are we clear? Yes, ma'am. JUDGE LAKE: Okay. Ms. Whitfield, will you go
through with the marriage if, in fact, Major is found
to be your fiancee
Mr. Miles's biological child? It's not about the baby.
It's about he wasn't
truthful with me at the time.
(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMING) But your wedding is planned? Our wedding is planned
for February. But you don't know if
you will go through with it... MILES: It's going
to wreck the day. ...depending on the result? Depending on the result. Thank you so much
for your testimony. You may be seated. WHITFIELD: Thank you. JUDGE LAKE: Thank you. I think I'm ready
for the results. Jerome? (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING) He might been...
He might be bin Laden's baby. These results were prepared
by DNA diagnostics. And they read as follows. In the case
of <i> White v. Flowers,</i> when it comes to
four-month-old Major White, it has been determined
by this court, his father is Mr. Flowers. (EXHALES) WHITE: Thank you, Jesus. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING) MILES: Yeah, you're right.
Thank you, Jesus. I already knew that. (MILES EXHALES) It's cool. Ms. Whitfield and Mr. Miles,
I know you are relieved. Phew. Big relief. (AUDIENCE LAUGHING) But Ms. White and Mr. Flowers, you all have
some cooperation to work on. But I do think, Mr. Flowers,
I think you'll be there. Yeah, I... I do. So you came in with receipts
totaling $1,846.54. Am I correct? Yes. Yes. Therefore, since it's been
determined that Mr. Flowers is, in fact,
Major's biological father, you are responsible
for half of that amount. $923.27. Buy your ice cream
truck now. I sure can. (LAUGHS) (AUDIENCE LAUGHING) Take care of your child. FLOWERS: Yes, ma'am. Pay this amount and more,
and get whatever
else he needs. You all can do this together,
or the court
will do it for you. Court is adjourned. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
