Check out some similar questions!

Builttolast · Jan 11, 2009, 01:50 PM

Ten years ago, we lived in a beautiful neighborhood - our home had a lovely view of the city lights that was legally protected by a view provision in the CC&R's. I had three small children and our neighborhood was fantastic. Then, SHE moved in below us. SHE did not like the fact that she couldn't plant what she wanted to.

She did everything she could to harrass us, torment us and the other neighbors. She turned neighbor against neighbor and spread lies. She displayed narcissistic, a-social behaviour and theatened several times to kill my children by having the fence electrified or having her dogs kill them - she even said she would jump over the fence and beat them. She would flip me off repeatedly when I would drive by, with a carpool of 8 year old baseball kids. Sent anonymous letters in the mail to me, installed high power lights to turn on at all hours of the night and shine in to our house, etc. It was pure hell, and I still to this day live in fear of this woman. We are talkin' Fatal Attraction meets Pacific Heights. Diabolical.

Police reports were filed, (by me and other neighbors) and I kept a journal for four years or so, documenting everything until we finally decided to move. It was odd, in that because she was a woman, the police never really took her threats seriously. Three other neighbors have moved as a result of her as well.

Last week, the last surviving neighbor subpoened me to testify against this woman. They know I kept a journal, and I saved documentation as well (including the anonymous letters).

While I want to help this poor neighbor (who is actually a defendant in this case), I am not only afraid of retribution, but am worried about presenting my private journal, (which they have asked me to give them willingly so far) and whether it can be used against me. I have my own family to worry about, and I have a career and a life. I don't need lawsuits filed against me, or to start this nightmare over again.

Don't think I don't know that the lawyer is out to represent HIS client's interests, not mine.

SUGGESTIONS? Do I HAVE to submit my private journal? Won't police reports back up my testimony?

JudyKayTee · Jan 11, 2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Builttolast

Ten years ago, we lived in a beautiful neighborhood - our home had a lovely view of the city lights that was legally protected by a view provision in the CC&R's. I had three small children and our neighborhood was fantastic. Then, SHE moved in below us. SHE did not like the fact that she couldn't plant what she wanted to.

She did everything she could to harrass us, torment us and the other neighbors. She turned neighbor against neighbor and spread lies. She displayed narcissistic, a-social behaviour and theatened several times to kill my children by having the fence electrified or having her dogs kill them - she even said she would jump over the fence and beat them. She would flip me off repeatedly when I would drive by, with a carpool of 8 year old baseball kids. Sent anonymous letters in the mail to me, installed high power lights to turn on at all hours of the night and shine in to our house, etc. It was pure hell, and I still to this day live in fear of this woman. We are talkin' Fatal Attraction meets Pacific Heights. Diabolical.

Police reports were filed, (by me and other neighbors) and I kept a journal for four years or so, documenting everything until we finally decided to move. It was odd, in that because she was a woman, the police never really took her threats seriously. Three other neighbors have moved as a result of her as well.

Last week, the last surviving neighbor subpoened me to testify against this woman. They know I kept a journal, and I saved documentation as well (including the anonymous letters).

While I want to help this poor neighbor (who is actually a defendant in this case), I am not only afraid of retribution, but am worried about presenting my private journal, (which they have asked me to give them willingly so far) and whether it can be used against me. I have my own family to worry about, and I have a career and a life. I don't need lawsuits filed against me, or to start this nightmare over again.

Don't think I don't know that the lawyer is out to represent HIS client's interests, not mine.

SUGGESTIONS? Do I HAVE to submit my private journal? Won't police reports back up my testimony?

I can only address NY but if it's a blank subpoena it requires you to appear; if it's a subpoena duces tecum it requires you to bring any and all evidence in writing.

What would I do? I'd explain your fear, your situation, to the Attorney for your neighbor and ask for advice.

Why doesn't someone evict the trouble maker? Ever think of suing her for intentional infliction of emotional harm? I had a similar neighbor - probably her sister - and it got so bad that two other neighbors took her to Court but I sued for intentional infliction... and won. She then moved (among other things) because she couldn't get homeowners insurance - no one would write a policy for her.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 11, 2009, 03:24 PM

And this is why the bad guys are free to continue to scare other people, Good people want things done, but refuse to do anything to get it done.

So testify or be ready to be a victim the rest of your life,

Builttolast · Jan 11, 2009, 05:48 PM

You got that one right - I would hate myself the rest of my days if I ran scared. I might not like it, but I sure hope what I do helps, and I don't open a can of worms the size of Montana...

Thanks for your advice, and for taking the time to respond. :)

Builttolast · Jan 11, 2009, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I can only address NY but if it's a blank subpoena it requires you to appear; if it's a subpoena duces tecum it requires you to bring any and all evidence in writing.

What would I do? I'd explain your fear, your situation, to the Attorney for your neighbor and ask for advice.

Why doesn't someone evict the trouble maker? Ever think of suing her for intentional infliction of emotional harm? I had a similar neighbor - probably her sister - and it got so bad that two other neighbors took her to Court but I sued for intentional infliction ... and won. She then moved (among other things) because she couldn't get homeowners insurance - no one would write a policy for her.

Blank subpoena.

I did explain the fear to the Attorney. He said he can't guarantee my safety.

As far as eviction - she is a trust fund baby, paid cash for the house. We nearly did sue her, but after hearing the whole story our family lawyer suggested we just spend the legal money on a nice peaceful vacation and MOVE. Unfortunately, you can pick your friends, you can't pick your neighbors.

If anything DOES happen however, don't think I won't go that legal route to protect my family. Not sure if justice will prevail in this case, but I at least can go in and tell the truth.

Thanks for your post - you gave me some great things to consider.

ScottGem · Jan 11, 2009, 06:41 PM

While you have to appear and most likely have to produce the journal, you may be able to keep your current address private.

But I have to point out that for more than 4 years this woman threatened and intimidated, but I didn't hear of any following through on the threats. Other than installing lights to annoy you, you don't mention anything really physically threatening. This makes me feel this woman's bark is worse than her bite. And I wouldn't be so concerned about retailiation.

Builttolast · Jan 11, 2009, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by ScottGem

While you have to appear and most likely have to produce the journal, you may be able to keep your current address private.

But I have to point out that for more than 4 years this woman threatened and intimidated, but I didn't hear of any following through on the threats. Other than installing lights to annoy you, you don't mention anything really physically threatening. This makes me feel this woman's bark is worse than her bite. And I wouldn't be so concerned about retailiation.

I didn't go in to great detail... because it went on for 4 years and I have about a inch of journal written... I could fill up pages on this website... let's just add...

She made those death threats to my 5 and 8 year old kids, in my own small backyard, our rod iron fence dividing ours. She would climb up a 200 foot slope, to spy on us at night, and hang out there all day whenever we had guests over, or had play dates with other families or kids... she turned her sprinklers on and angled them so they sprayed our house and our guests in the backyard. Whenever we had birthday parties, or family gatherings, she constantly was on the slope and harassed us, or turned the sprinklers on, or turned her lights on, or hung out so everyone could see her walking back and forth or wave her arms to get attention and then flip people off if they waved back. She notoriously would drop F bombs as often as possible, in front of my kids, and anyone who was in our backyard. And she would flip any of our guests off who didn't know the whole story and just tried to be friendly and wave... not understanding why she was just hanging out up there. She left trash and yard debris she would collect from other people's yards and drag it up the slope and dump it there at the top, right on the fenceline, right where we could see it. Sometimes they would be like 6 feet long branches as big around as a man's arm. I have no idea how she did it, but know she did it at night cause I never saw her drag it up during the day. She was still, however, on her property, so we could do nothing. If my kids got near the fence (we only had a 20 foot deep yard or so), she would send her dogs up...

She watched US constantly. There were times when I would call the police and wonder if they thought I was mad. Neighbors didn't even believe me. Except the ones that encountered the same thing. We all moved eventually. Now this poor guy... he says to me "I had no idea, I didn't believe you till it started happening to us."

We got to the point where we only got to enjoy about 10 feet of our yard. Cause if she saw anyone, she would harrass them.

More... more more...

I received anonymous, insulting letters in the mail... not threatening death... but the poor neighbor at issue HAS received death threats in the mail. He, the poor soul, got accused of assaulting her. I don't believe it, but I honestly wouldn't blame him if he finally lost his noodle and did it. Knowing him, and his family, there is no way in hell it happened. She LIES... to get her way.

It should be a dang movie. Seriously.

stevetcg · Jan 12, 2009, 05:42 AM

There is something to be said for a few friends, ski masks and a verifiable alibi...

excon · Jan 12, 2009, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Builttolast

It should be a dang movie.

Hello B:

It IS a movie.

Vicitms get victimized. Things look bleak... Cops don't do nuthin... Then all of a sudden, SUPERPADRE makes his entrance and saves the day.

excon

stevetcg · Jan 12, 2009, 05:49 AM

Were restraining orders ever requested?

Im sorry, but if it were me or anyone I know, there wouldn't be a second chance to threaten my kids. Sure, I might get arrested, but if someone threatens my kids she would likely get beaten to death on the spot.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 12, 2009, 05:52 AM

Guess I lost too many cases where the victims would not show up in court. The one I still get so upset about, we caught a burgular in the peoples house, I handcuffed him in the peoples bathroom,
He had walked upstairs and the people saw him and called it in . Same thing happened within a 30 min right down the street, we had two positive ID on him.

Get to court, one victim never showed up, the other now could not be sure if there was even someone in their house.

He got off, ended up armed robbery latter and well not a pretty story.

JudyKayTee · Jan 12, 2009, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Guess I lost too many cases where the victims would not show up in court. The one I still get so upset about, we caught a burgular in the peoples house, I handcuffed him in the peoples bathroom,
He had walked upstairs and the people saw him and called it in . Same thing happened within a 30 min right down the street, we had two positive ID on him.

Get to court, one victim never showed up, the other now could not be sure if there was even someone in thier house.

He got off, ended up armed robbery latter and well not a pretty story.

While we're on the subject, why do people drive past accident scenes when people are bleeding in their cars - ? But they do.

I've investigated accidents on country roads where people literally crawled out of their cars and other drivers drove around them and kept going.

ScottGem · Jan 12, 2009, 07:47 AM

I have to agree with Steve. I would have carried a video camera and recorded all these incidents. I would have gotten together with the neighbors and gotten a restraining order against her. I would have fought back rather than allowing myself to be victimized and forced to move.

Builttolast · Jan 12, 2009, 01:40 PM

I think the number one reason people don't want to get involved is... they don't want to get involved. They just want to go about their everyday, normal lives and deal with the day to day normal stress. PUT ON THE BLINDERS.

Modern Day Heroes. Where are they? I know they are out there, and boy does our world need them.

Back to main subject - Had it been a man harassing and tormenting the neighborhood, instead of an attractive, innocent-looking yet manipulative female, I know for sure this whole thing would have been handled differently by the ENTIRE neighborhood.

People just don't want to believe that a woman can be diabolical. Unless its in the movies, or in some trailer park somewhere... not in middle class suburbia.

stevetcg · Jan 12, 2009, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Builttolast

I think the number one reason people don't want to get involved is....they don't want to get involved. They just want to go about their everyday, normal lives and deal with the day to day normal stress. PUT ON THE BLINDERS.

Modern Day Heroes. Where are they? I know they are out there, and boy does our world need them.

So be that hero. Don't wait for someone else to do it.

And you ARE involved. This woman tormented you for years. You owe it to her to make sure she gets what she has coming to her. You owe it to yourself to see justice served.

Be the hero. People will respect you for it and you can stand proud knowing you did the right thing.

Builttolast · Jan 12, 2009, 02:36 PM

:)
Many, many thanks to all the posters who replied to my thread. I can't tell you how much it has helped me work through this. I'll keep checking in, and keep you posted as the trial nears. Should be interesting, that is for sure. I DO hope more people come forward on their own. Wouldn't that be great?

Builttolast · Feb 13, 2009, 11:33 PM

UPDATE: The court case got continued till June 2009. The Judge was disgusted.. and I think hoping the two neighbors resolve their issues by then. I was on standby, and will be called for sure in June, if they don't settle by then. Videotape evidence was submitted that shows her deliberating antagonizing the neighbor... including spreading feces on his driveway... but I guess its all up to interpretation. Wow... I'll let you all know how it goes in June.