Wow, what an a**hole

[werepossum]

I have no idea of the actual facts of the case, but the burning needs to be very carefully investigated as it's either insurance fraud or a hate crime. The fact that the homeowners were on vacation argues for the latter. If they had posted "For sale" signs it would argue for the former, since the neighbor would presumably prefer the lesbians selling to the lesbians rebuilding, but they could have decided to sell without yet taking visible action. The neighbors could also just be too caught up in hate to think that logically.

Quantum makes a good point about the UPS thing. Assuming the story is true as written, the Stuttes can go back on UPS and UPS can and should file a federal criminal complaint against the neighbor, as receiving a package by accident does not confer ownership. I've faced this exact situation and the delivery company (UPS or FedEx, I can't remember) had to be pushed into taking action by threat of lawsuit and a federal complaint.

And though I love my state, the reputed attitude and actions of the neighbor are believable, especially for a smaller township.

 

[thegimp03]

Tennessee. I'm not surprised.

 

[classy]

That is sad. No one should be treated like that. And they certainly don't deserve to have their house burnt down to the ground. Sadly he'll probably get away with it.

 

[classy]

Oh that link had no sound.......

 

[WHAMPOM]

I bet $1 that they set their own house on fire so they could feel like victims and get sympathy from the media. Also for the money or so they wouldn't have to worry about selling the house. It's happened many times before. I could be totally wrong, but the story is completely one-sided. There are no police reports, witnesses, or even counter-claims by the neighbor.

Judge everyone's motives by what you do?

 

[lothar]

That neighbor would have been introduced to my 12 gauge on one of her "visits" had it been my property.

Guns are allowed in Chicago now?

 

[waggy]

Guns are allowed in Chicago now?

yes. you just have to jump through a bunch of loops and i heard offer your first born.

 

[K1052]

Guns are allowed in Chicago now?

I used to live out in the country. All my neighbors were friendly or at least respectful of each other. However if someone is looking for a problem and comes onto my land uninvited they would have ended up staring down the barrel of my Winchester and politely told to go away.

 

[K1052]

yes. you just have to jump through a bunch of loops and i heard offer your first born.

It's mostly a lot of paperwork and fees now. Still a major pain in the ass. I think that there is a court case pending challenging the Chicago registration process as an unfair burden.

 

[irishScott]

If someone is looking for a problem and comes onto my land uninvited they would have ended up staring down the barrel of my Winchester and politely told to go away.

This, although for legal purposes I wouldn't point it at them. Better to just say you were on your way to the shooting range/hunting when you noticed them, and having it in your arms will get the message across.

 

[werepossum]

This, although for legal purposes I wouldn't point it at them. Better to just say you were on your way to the shooting range/hunting when you noticed them, and having it in your arms will get the message across.

Hell, this is Tennessee. If they had come out packing shotguns, the neighbors would probably think "Well, they aren't ALL bad!"

 

[Darwin333]

Thats some messed up stuff right there.

Sounds like the lesbians need a few new friends. I would be happy to introduce them to some real good friends of mine, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. They would have been more than happy to help out with this unfortunate situation.

 

[Narmer]

Are you the Anderson Cooper of Anandtech?

 

[Amused]

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=13960676

The neighbor was a woman.

VONORE (WATE) - A lesbian couple and their adult daughter are suing their former next-door neighbor in Vonore, claiming she committed a hate crime by setting their house on fire.

The fire in September 2010 destroyed their home on County Road 360. The word "queers" was also spray painted on their garage. The couple says Millsaps used the word "queers."

Carol Ann and Laura Stutte said they felt like they were targeted by their neighbor because they are gay.

Their lawsuit claims their neighbor, Janice Millsaps, harassed them in the months leading up to the fire and she was the subject of multiple police reports.

"We want her to get help. We are hoping through this lawsuit she can get the help needed and finally truth and justice will prevail," Carol Ann Stutte said.

Claims in the lawsuit include that Millsaps threatened to poison the couple's dogs and one dog died, that she would peer in their windows at night, that she would walk up while they were outside saying she could have killed them "right then" and that she threatened to burn down their home.

The lawsuit also claims that Millsaps "routinely referred to 'friends' that she allegedly has on the police force who would ensure that she was never caught if she killed the Stuttes, saying that the community 'takes care of things the old fashioned way, the Millsaps' way.'"

Millsaps allegedly accepted a UPS delivery of an insulin pump for the Stuttes' daughter in June 2010 and refused to give it back, despite a police report about the incident.

Another reason the couple filed this suit is because their insurance company, American National Property and Casualty Company, has not paid out anything since the fire.

"I just, on the behalf of the Stuttes, felt their process was going a little too slow and we needed to collect the evidence against the person who we believe did this. We need to move more quickly," said their attorney, Margaret Beebe Held.

An investigation into the fire continues by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the FBI.

Since the fire, the Stuttes have remained in a safe house waiting for closure. "We never want to see another family go through the fear we have endured over the past few years. One of us could have been killed. It is not worth it," Carol Ann Stutte said.

They hope one day soon, they can be reimbursed for everything they've lost.

The Stuttes purchased their home in 2005 and had it listed for sale for $274,900 in September when it burned while they were visiting Nashville.

The Stuttes are suing Millsaps for $880,000. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Monroe County Chancery Court.

 

[QuantumPion]

My money is still shenanigans. I bet the insurance company hasn't paid them yet because they suspect insurance fraud. Who knows though, women are crazy like that.

 

[Throckmorton]

This is exactly why hate crime legislation exists. The FBI can get involved now, and it won't be up to the arsonist's friends on the police force.

 

[Fern]

The woman who harrassed that couple is an a$$hole. Poisoning someone's dog is also unforgivable.

The claims about the house fire and UPS delivery don't add up. Around here (a small town) the arson investigation would have been completed long ago.

Fern

 

[bfdd]

Will wait for more information before judging this specific situation, but that is a total asshole neighbor.

PS Hate crime legislation is stupid.

 

[bamacre]

Hell, this is Tennessee. If they had come out packing shotguns, the neighbors would probably think "Well, they aren't ALL bad!"

You people on that side of TN make those of us on this side of TN look bad.

 

[chucky2]

How do you have money to go on vacation but not have money to get your kid medical treatment/devices?

Something doesn't add up....

Chuck

 

[IBMer]

How do you have money to go on vacation but not have money to get your kid medical treatment/devices?

Something doesn't add up....

Chuck

Maybe you shouldn't assume what vacations cost.

Maybe they just drove and stayed with family?

You should also look up how much an insulin pump costs before you look even more ignorant.

 

[werepossum]

You people on that side of TN make those of us on this side of TN look bad.

Only when we come out of our hollers!

 

[peonyu]

Innocent until proven guilty. Its not uncommon for people to make hoaxes up to get attention or to push a agenda. This story sounds like one of those hoaxes. Even in colleges this stuff goes on, anyone remember the UCLA noose innocent a year ago ? Supposedly a white guy left it there to intimidate black students...But it turned out if was a Mexican girl who did it because she found it funny how mad black and white people got at each other.

 

[thepd7]

and its a good thing I didn't say he is claiming it. i said "sad par the idiot will justify it because "its in the bible" ignoring the hypocrisy of such a statement and the act" i didn't say "the sad part is the idiot IS justifying it" more of a assumption (and i am betting i am right) that there will be idiots who agree with im (actually read the comment section and there are some that agree with what he did).

you said the neighbor will justify it, meaning the neighbor will claim it. I agree you seem just as bigoted in your thoughts, just smart enough not to act on them (I hope).

 

[chucky2]

Maybe you shouldn't assume what vacations cost.

Maybe they just drove and stayed with family?

You should also look up how much an insulin pump costs before you look even more ignorant.

They live in a $275k house in 2005, in TN....people living that well generally don't take vacations that cost $100.

The neighbor might need a hollowpoint to the forehead, but that doesn't mean this story is adding up as descibed: It's not.

Chuck