Lesbian Couple Sues Neighbor Over Fire-Based Hate Crime

On Tuesday a lesbian couple from Vonore, Tenn., filed a suit against their neighbor, claiming the neighbor was responsible for the fire that destroyed their home in September. Other charges, according toWBIR.com, include “trespassing and conversion, intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious harassment.”

Since they moved into the house in June of 2005, Carol Ann and Laura Stutte say the neighbor has continuously threatened and terrorized them. Police reports support the women’s claims, even though no arrests were ever made.

On one occasion, the couple alleges, the neighbor told them, "The only thing better than one dead queer is two dead queers." Court documents even state that the neighbor repeatedly threatened to poison the couple’s dogs and that one of the animals died after being lured into the neighbor’s yard and fed meat.

After deciding last August 2010 to sell the home, the Stuttes went away on vacation the following month and were notified by fire officials that their house had burned down. Upon returning, they discovered their trailer had been vandalized and the “queers” had been painted on the side of their garage.

Read the full story here.

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