Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

Furniture Dispute

I'm dealing with a mentally unstable ex-combat Marine. I have evidence of years of stalking, even though we tried to be friends at one point. His behavior has gotten worse, but sporadic- obsessive phone calls/ messages, threats to my family, job interruptions.

NOW, he is trying to take legal action against me, for furniture and items which he gave to me. I moved into a new place, while he got evicted from his place. He told me to take some of his old furniture or it would be tossed by his landlord. I took them. While moving again, I asked him many times if he wanted his furniture back. He took some things, but then would come back, leaving them outside, claiming me responsible. I offered again, he kept declining. A new tenant was due to move in my old place and needed items, I sold them the furniture.

Yesterday, he left me a voicemail stating that his lawyer was sending me a letter to have ALL of his things back to him within 7-14 days. Otherwise, I will be sent to court. (Keep in mind this furniture issue I thought we both resolved 2 months ago when I moved out, sold the items).

Based on this information and background, does his claim/threat appear to be valid? Or must there be evidence for me to be held responsible? ANY HELP!


Asked on 6/29/08, 12:49 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gladys Weatherspoon Law Office of Gladys Weatherspoon

Re: Furniture Dispute

It is unlikely that some attorney is going to spend time on this case since all he can get back is old furniture (Not much fee for the attorney if he gets 33%) And it's doubtful he is going to pay $250.00 an hour for an attorney to sue you over old furniture. The more liely scenerio is that he will file something in small claims court and you will have to defend yourself. It sounds like he abandoned the property anyway. More importantly, you must consider that you are placing yourself in danger. Why have you moved three times and he still knows where you live? You say he is a "mentally unstable ex-combat" and yet he knows where you live after you have moved several times. At this point he shouldn't know where you live or have your phone number. I am not sure you should change the number now because it will probably anger him and he will just show up at your house. But when you move again (and you should do that sooner rather than later), you need to not tell him where you are and change your number. That way at least if he shows up at your job, there will be other people around to help you. You are dealing with an incredibly dangerous situation by keeping in contact with someone you say is "stalking" you and mentally unstable. You don't need to look very far for examples, surely you remember the youg lady who was set on fire. If he is all the things you say he is you need to stop telling him where you live and change your number. Good Luck.

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Answered on 6/29/08, 6:41 am


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