James Patterson - Murder Thy Neighbor

March 25, 1997

At a quarter to nine in the morning, Judge Stacy Moreno sits in her chambers at the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh, reviewing the file of the case she is about to hear.

Morenos office is austere, with no file out of place, no disorganized stack of papers to be seen. The shelves are lined with law books. The judges robe hangs from a hook on the back of the door.

The case she is reviewing is an appeal of an earlier ruling.

Both the citys building and health departments have levied fine after fine against a homeowner named Roy Kirk, who bought one half of a row house in an up-and-coming neighborhood known as North Hills Estates, in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Apparently, the long-abandoned house needed a lot of work, but the work never got done. In fact, according to complaints from the neighbors, the house is in a greater state of disrepair now than when Kirk bought it.

A woman named Ann Hoover, who owns the adjoining house, has pushed again and again for the city to do something about the problem. She is scheduled to appear in court to testify against Kirk.

Hoovers property and Kirks share a yard, a porch, and a roof. She is the most affected, but there are other neighbors involved, many claiming that Kirks property is an eyesore that is bringing down the home values of the whole neighborhood. Judging from the photographs in the file, the judge can see why everyone is upset.

The place is a dump.

The siding is in desperate need of a paint job. Some of the windows are broken and boarded up. The roof is missing so many shingles that bare patches of plywood are clearly visible. And the lawn is not only overgrown with weeds, its also full of garbage bags, as if Kirk has been using it as his own personal trash heap.

Kirks appeal today claims that he is making a good-faith effort to restore the property, and that fines will only hinder his ability to get the work done.

Judge Moreno checks her watch and sees that its 8:59. She rises from her cushioned chair and fastens her judges robe around her. At nine oclock on the dot, she steps through the door at the back of her chambers, which takes her directly to the raised bench overlooking the courtroom.

All rise! the bailiff announces. The Honorable Judge Stacy Moreno now presiding.

Everyone in the courtroom rises.

Thank you, Moreno says. Please be seated.

From her elevated position, she can see everything in the courtroom clearly: the court reporter seated close to the bench, ready to take notes; the jury box, empty for the purposes of this hearing; the bailiffs dais, off to one side. The gallery is unusually full of spectatorspresumably neighbors, all interested in the outcome of the hearing.

And front and center, of course, the tables where the plaintiffs and defendantsand their lawyersare meant to sit.

A lawyer from the solicitors office represents the city. But the lawyer for Roy Kirk sits alone. Theres no sign of his client.

Kirks lawyer rises, looking embarrassed, and asks if they can have a short recess as he tries to get in touch with his client.

Your Honor, the assistant city solicitor interjects, I support the motion for a short recess. Mr. Kirks neighbor, Ann Hoover, is also not here. She is a key witness for the city.

Judge Moreno purses her lips, thinking. Its highly unusual for neither the defendant nor the key witness to show up.

Arent these two next-door neighbors? she says.

A woman in the second row of the gallery stands up and catches the judges attention.

Your Honor, if I may, the woman says. I live in the neighborhood. We went by Anns home on the way to the courthouse this morning. Wed made arrangements to all come together.

She gestures to a man seated next to heranother neighbor, apparentlywho nods his head in agreement. Both the man and the woman look concerned.

There was no answer at her door, the woman continues. Im worried about her. I think something might have happened.

Judge Moreno thanks her and asks her to be seated. All eyes in the courtroom stare back at her.

Bailiff, she says, turning to her longtime court official, contact the Pittsburgh police and ask them to send someone to check on the whereabouts of Ann Hoover and Roy Kirk.

Yes, Your Honor.

Judge Moreno turns back to the courtroom.

Lets get to the bottom of this, she says. Attorneys, please contact me in my chambers if you hear from either Mr. Kirk or Ms. Hoover. Well be in recess until we hear something.

With that, she smacks her gavel down on its block, and the bailiff once again says, All rise!

Judge Moreno walks back to her chambers with a sinking feeling. She cant explain it, but she feels certain the courtroom will not be called back to order today.