My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Ohio
A few months back a girl, who had been my friend for 30 years, offered to let me borrow some money (4500) I have excellent credit, and money in stocks,, ect ect, that I could have easily gotten the money, but she offered and at the time it did not seem like a big deal. She told me to start paying her back in Nov or Dec and not to worry about it, just pay her what I could. In September we got in a fight and she started sending me threatening texts. For example I was at a birthday party for a friend and she said "how dare you go to a bar when you owe me money, I know you are at (name of bar) and I am coming in there to kick your &^%.. She started telling people what a "loser" I was because I had to borrow from her. The texts and phone calls were relentless and insane.
I had full intention of repaying her, they I stopped at a local tavern for dinner after work. I walked in, she was there. She came over to me and an attacked me, she dislocated and broke my finger. I had to take time off work for surgery. I had to hire people to mow my properties lawn (which I normally did myself) I was, and still am, in pain. She was questioned by the police, in her statement to the police she said "Yes I went up to her to inform her that she can't be going out to dinner when she owes me money"
So now she has filed a small claims case against me for the money, claiming I agreed to pay her 10 percent interest, compounded monthly. (which is insane as I could have got a bank loan for a much lower interest rate than that) She is also claiming she lost her deposit on a condo because I did not pay her back in a timely manner, so she want 6000 dollars. I know I am not responsible for her lost of her deposit. But I feel the doctor bills and time missed from work because of her viciously attacking me make me not responsible for paying her back the money. Her intimidation and harassment went out of control when she physically attacked me. Not to mention that high interest rate I feel she is acting like an illegal loan shark.
I have to go to court in Feb. and am wondering if anyone of the smart people on this board can give me advice on what to expect, and what I should say in my defense.

