1 00:00:06,367 --> 00:00:10,467 [narrator] It's wonderful when a new neighborhood feels like the perfect fit. 2 00:00:10,467 --> 00:00:13,200 I'm your neighbor just to the left with my husband Michael. 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:15,400 Janelle. Nice to meet you. 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:16,567 [Amaya Brown] The people in the neighborhood, 5 00:00:16,567 --> 00:00:19,000 they made sure to always say hi. 6 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,867 [narrator] But when blood boils behind closed doors... 7 00:00:21,867 --> 00:00:24,100 We don't like that kind of music here! 8 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:25,800 What kind of music? 9 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,033 He didn't even want to look at us. 10 00:00:28,567 --> 00:00:30,700 ...it can spill into the street. 11 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:32,200 [dog barking] 12 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,400 They got off on the wrong foot immediately. 13 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,500 Everyone hates us here. 14 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,867 What may have started out as your typical neighborhood disputes, 15 00:00:40,867 --> 00:00:43,567 very quickly escalated into something else. 16 00:00:43,567 --> 00:00:45,667 -Get out! -Leave me and my family alone! 17 00:00:45,667 --> 00:00:48,166 This was cold, callous murder. 18 00:00:48,166 --> 00:00:50,800 -[gunshots] -[neighbor 1] Good to see you. 19 00:00:52,100 --> 00:00:53,200 [grunting] 20 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:54,700 [neighbor 2] I know what you did. 21 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:56,567 -[gunshot] -[neighbor 3] Stay out of my neighborhood! 22 00:00:56,567 --> 00:00:57,700 [neighbor 4] Stay away from my plot! 23 00:00:57,700 --> 00:00:59,266 ...on the ground now! 24 00:00:59,266 --> 00:01:01,166 [neighbor screaming] 25 00:01:01,166 --> 00:01:02,500 [gunshot] 26 00:01:12,500 --> 00:01:15,567 [narrator] A quick half-hour drive from the nation's capital 27 00:01:15,567 --> 00:01:19,266 lies the hidden gem of Springfield, Virginia. 28 00:01:19,266 --> 00:01:22,000 Springfield, Virginia, is a relatively quiet, uh, 29 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:23,700 part of Fairfax County. 30 00:01:25,767 --> 00:01:27,700 [Jerry Lambe] There's a community pool, 31 00:01:27,700 --> 00:01:29,967 decent amount of shared space. 32 00:01:29,967 --> 00:01:32,700 The residents consider it to be quiet. 33 00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:35,066 [Steve Descano] It is incredibly low crime. 34 00:01:35,066 --> 00:01:38,500 It is the safest large community in the entire country. 35 00:01:42,467 --> 00:01:46,166 -Oh, I got it, Mom. -Thanks, Amaya. 36 00:01:46,166 --> 00:01:50,800 [narrator] And that's exactly what draws Janelle Hull, her daughter Amaya Brown, 37 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,567 and their dogs Gizmo and Tink 38 00:01:53,567 --> 00:01:55,500 to a home on Bedstraw Court. 39 00:01:56,867 --> 00:01:58,567 [Amaya] When my mom bought that house, 40 00:01:58,567 --> 00:02:01,367 she felt very accomplished for it. 41 00:02:01,367 --> 00:02:03,767 The neighborhood was very nice and quiet, 42 00:02:03,767 --> 00:02:05,166 so she was excited 43 00:02:05,166 --> 00:02:09,100 'cause we came from somewhere that wasn't too nice. 44 00:02:09,100 --> 00:02:12,100 [narrator] Homeownership is a significant achievement for Janelle, 45 00:02:12,100 --> 00:02:17,166 a single mother working as a government contractor in nearby D.C. 46 00:02:17,166 --> 00:02:21,266 My mom, she is a very strong-willed lady. 47 00:02:21,266 --> 00:02:24,767 She's very outgoing. She's really friendly. 48 00:02:24,767 --> 00:02:27,000 She's very funny. 49 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:33,700 [neighbor] Hi! 50 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,367 You must be Janelle Hull. 51 00:02:36,367 --> 00:02:38,100 Welcome to the neighborhood. 52 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:39,533 Thank you so much. 53 00:02:39,533 --> 00:02:43,667 [narrator] Janelle and Amaya find themselves greeted with open arms. 54 00:02:43,667 --> 00:02:46,533 It's just a little something from the neighborhood. 55 00:02:48,166 --> 00:02:49,567 -Thank you. -[neighbor] You're welcome. 56 00:02:49,567 --> 00:02:50,800 We're excited to be here. 57 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:52,800 This whole part of town is so beautiful. 58 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:54,500 We do our best to keep it looking beautiful. 59 00:02:54,500 --> 00:02:56,033 And we're sure you will too. 60 00:02:57,767 --> 00:02:58,867 Absolutely. 61 00:02:58,867 --> 00:03:00,166 Good luck getting settled in. 62 00:03:00,166 --> 00:03:01,867 -Nice meeting with you. -Nice to meet you. 63 00:03:01,867 --> 00:03:03,100 [Amaya] The people in the neighborhood, 64 00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:05,367 they were nice when we first met them. 65 00:03:05,367 --> 00:03:07,100 They made sure to always say hi. 66 00:03:12,100 --> 00:03:14,000 [narrator] The newcomers are also welcomed 67 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:16,300 by one half of their next-door neighbors. 68 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:23,200 Hi. 69 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,266 I'm Sara Hetle. I'm your neighbor just to the left 70 00:03:25,266 --> 00:03:26,300 with my husband Michael. 71 00:03:26,300 --> 00:03:27,767 Janelle. Nice to meet you. 72 00:03:27,767 --> 00:03:29,400 [Sara] Nice to meet you too. 73 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,000 [Janelle] These look delicious. 74 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:32,233 They are. [chuckles] 75 00:03:33,166 --> 00:03:34,400 Hi, Michael! 76 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,000 Thanks for the cookies. 77 00:03:39,767 --> 00:03:41,467 [Sara] You'll have to excuse my husband. 78 00:03:41,467 --> 00:03:42,567 He's a little reserved. 79 00:03:42,567 --> 00:03:44,500 No worries. Thank you. 80 00:03:45,500 --> 00:03:48,767 [Amaya] Hetle wasn't a talkative person at all. 81 00:03:48,767 --> 00:03:51,834 The most you would get was a smile from him. 82 00:03:54,967 --> 00:03:58,200 [narrator] Michael Hetle is a federal employee working for NASA. 83 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:04,400 Sara is an administrator for the local school board. 84 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,567 Michael's son Cayden stays with his father, stepmother, 85 00:04:07,567 --> 00:04:10,200 and their dog every other weekend. 86 00:04:22,500 --> 00:04:23,734 Hey! 87 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:28,367 [narrator] Sara's enthusiastic welcome 88 00:04:28,367 --> 00:04:32,100 for her new neighbors is not shared by her husband. 89 00:04:32,100 --> 00:04:35,600 Hetle was never formally introduced to Janelle. 90 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,166 Most of their interactions were just passing by early on. 91 00:04:39,166 --> 00:04:43,200 [narrator] The relationship between families is civil and polite. 92 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:45,567 But neither side has any idea 93 00:04:45,567 --> 00:04:47,100 of the horrors that await them. 94 00:04:47,100 --> 00:04:49,300 -[dog barking] -I'm gonna kick your ass! 95 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:58,667 [narrator] Michael is a stickler for community standards, 96 00:04:58,667 --> 00:05:01,600 annoyed by even the smallest transgressions. 97 00:05:02,700 --> 00:05:05,367 Mr. Hetle definitely is the type of person 98 00:05:05,367 --> 00:05:07,166 who believes in authority, 99 00:05:07,166 --> 00:05:09,467 believes people should follow the rules 100 00:05:09,467 --> 00:05:13,400 and believes that he can use rules and authority 101 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:14,867 to his advantage when he wants to. 102 00:05:14,867 --> 00:05:16,100 [sighs] 103 00:05:29,967 --> 00:05:31,133 [narrator] As the weeks pass, 104 00:05:31,133 --> 00:05:35,066 the interactions between the households are consistent. 105 00:05:35,066 --> 00:05:38,066 -Come on, Tink. -[narrator] A wave and a smile from Sara... 106 00:05:38,066 --> 00:05:40,667 -Oh, hi, Mrs. Hetle. -Hi, Amaya. 107 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:42,600 ...while Michael remains aloof. 108 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:45,433 Hi, Mr. Hetle. 109 00:05:48,667 --> 00:05:50,867 There would be times where you would pass him 110 00:05:50,867 --> 00:05:53,867 and he would be full on, like, having conversations 111 00:05:53,867 --> 00:05:55,867 and laughing with all the different neighbors, 112 00:05:55,867 --> 00:05:57,367 but when it came to us, 113 00:05:57,367 --> 00:05:58,734 he didn't even want to look at us. 114 00:06:00,767 --> 00:06:02,967 [narrator] Despite their neighbor's cold shoulder, 115 00:06:02,967 --> 00:06:06,400 Janelle and Amaya are ecstatic about their new home. 116 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,567 We were really happy to be there. 117 00:06:08,567 --> 00:06:10,800 [hip-hop music playing] 118 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,100 [narrator] Yet things sour one evening 119 00:06:14,100 --> 00:06:16,333 when Michael confronts Janelle directly. 120 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:23,166 My mom was sitting in her car for a few minutes, 121 00:06:23,166 --> 00:06:25,100 listening to music and, like, the radio. 122 00:06:25,100 --> 00:06:27,900 It wasn't like blaring, blasting loud. 123 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:34,400 That's when Hetle had came out of his house. 124 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:35,900 Turn that down! 125 00:06:38,700 --> 00:06:41,800 I said turn that crap down! 126 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:44,700 We don't like that kind of music here. 127 00:06:45,166 --> 00:06:46,400 What did you just say? 128 00:06:46,767 --> 00:06:48,200 You heard me. 129 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,300 What kind? 130 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:54,300 What kind of music? 131 00:06:55,300 --> 00:06:58,400 In the moment, when he had called my mom 132 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,500 and the music ghetto, it was instant anger. 133 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:03,300 He has no right to do that. 134 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:05,667 I mean, it was just music. 135 00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:06,667 What kind? 136 00:07:11,567 --> 00:07:13,500 [narrator] Even though Janelle is offended, 137 00:07:13,500 --> 00:07:15,667 she doesn't dwell on the incident, 138 00:07:15,667 --> 00:07:17,100 but Michael does. 139 00:07:19,367 --> 00:07:23,000 He now keeps a watchful eye over the people next door. 140 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,667 And the more he sees, 141 00:07:28,667 --> 00:07:30,934 the more aggravated he becomes. 142 00:07:33,100 --> 00:07:35,500 Oh, my God, a rat! A rat right there. 143 00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:38,800 It just went that way. [sighs] 144 00:07:39,567 --> 00:07:41,834 -Oh. -It's disgusting. 145 00:07:42,300 --> 00:07:43,900 How do they live like this? 146 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,667 [narrator] Michael starts documenting 147 00:07:52,667 --> 00:07:54,900 Janelle and Amaya's many infractions. 148 00:07:55,667 --> 00:07:58,166 Mr. Hetle wrote a memo to the HOA 149 00:07:58,166 --> 00:08:00,667 about what he claimed was vermin 150 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:03,266 in or around his backyard or his home, 151 00:08:03,266 --> 00:08:05,600 including squirrels and mice. 152 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,900 [narrator] Yet his neighbors dispute this claim. 153 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:11,300 I have never once seen a rat near my house. 154 00:08:11,300 --> 00:08:12,834 That's a lie. 155 00:08:15,367 --> 00:08:18,000 [narrator] Michael urges the local homeowners association, 156 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,700 which enforces community rules 157 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:21,834 and property regulations, to act. 158 00:08:23,266 --> 00:08:29,400 He claimed that they were a result of the trash at the neighbor's household 159 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,266 not being kept tidy. 160 00:08:31,266 --> 00:08:33,767 The trash that he claimed we left everywhere. 161 00:08:33,767 --> 00:08:36,133 Obviously, that's absurd, so... 162 00:08:49,367 --> 00:08:50,767 [narrator] Janelle is stunned to receive 163 00:08:50,767 --> 00:08:52,066 a formal admonishment 164 00:08:52,066 --> 00:08:54,867 about the supposed state of her yard. 165 00:08:54,867 --> 00:08:56,867 And though she has no proof, 166 00:08:56,867 --> 00:08:59,734 she's fairly certain she knows who's behind it. 167 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,400 Unbelievable. 168 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:06,667 Mr. Hetle was very active in terms of keeping in touch with the HOA, 169 00:09:06,667 --> 00:09:09,700 filing complaints, whereas Janelle seemed 170 00:09:09,700 --> 00:09:12,767 to not really care that the HOA existed at all. 171 00:09:12,767 --> 00:09:17,533 You're just talking about two diametrically opposed personas clashing. 172 00:09:22,467 --> 00:09:24,100 [narrator] In the weeks that follow, 173 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:27,400 clash is exactly what these neighbors do. 174 00:09:28,367 --> 00:09:30,266 Tink! Gizmo! Out you go. Come on. 175 00:09:30,266 --> 00:09:32,533 I had been home by myself. 176 00:09:33,166 --> 00:09:36,300 I went to let the dogs out back, 177 00:09:36,300 --> 00:09:38,000 which we always did. 178 00:09:39,500 --> 00:09:41,667 I go back upstairs 'cause I let them, like, 179 00:09:41,667 --> 00:09:44,700 sit out there for a while and, like, soak up the sun. 180 00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:47,233 [dogs barking] 181 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,367 [fence rattling] 182 00:09:50,367 --> 00:09:52,567 [narrator] But in this increasingly dog eat dog world 183 00:09:52,567 --> 00:09:55,400 between households, trouble is inevitable. 184 00:10:00,166 --> 00:10:01,834 [all dogs barking] 185 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,100 [dogs barking] 186 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:30,767 Mr. Hetle claimed that the dogs came towards him and his dog, 187 00:10:30,767 --> 00:10:35,700 and he was concerned that they would cause his dog some harm. 188 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:37,367 [narrator] A dispute between neighbors 189 00:10:37,367 --> 00:10:39,800 that began with noise and trash complaints 190 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,900 now focuses on Janelle Hull's pets. 191 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,133 Tink. Gizmo. Come! 192 00:10:50,166 --> 00:10:53,500 [narrator] And police soon become enmeshed in the conflict. 193 00:10:53,967 --> 00:10:55,133 [knocking on door] 194 00:10:58,667 --> 00:11:00,100 Yes? 195 00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:01,667 Ma'am, we received several complaints 196 00:11:01,667 --> 00:11:04,767 from your neighbor about your dogs barking all night long, 197 00:11:04,767 --> 00:11:06,500 defecating on other's properties. 198 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:09,000 My dogs haven't done anything like that. 199 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,700 When it came to Tink, she was scared of a fly. 200 00:11:12,700 --> 00:11:14,000 There's no way 201 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,400 she would have ran out to even try to do that, no. 202 00:11:19,767 --> 00:11:24,500 Janelle was obviously upset about their neighbors calling the police. 203 00:11:25,266 --> 00:11:27,100 There was no documentation ever 204 00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:29,300 that the dogs ever caused any harm 205 00:11:29,300 --> 00:11:31,233 to Mr. Hetle or his animals. 206 00:11:35,300 --> 00:11:37,600 [narrator] But the lack of evidence doesn't stem 207 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,767 the flow of complaints from the HOA 208 00:11:39,767 --> 00:11:41,600 against Janelle and Amaya. 209 00:11:45,066 --> 00:11:46,300 [Janelle] What? 210 00:11:46,300 --> 00:11:49,266 [Amaya] My mom's reaction throughout all the accusations 211 00:11:49,266 --> 00:11:52,000 were embarrassment, anger. 212 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,367 She just felt like, "This is getting out of control, 213 00:11:54,367 --> 00:11:56,300 and I don't know how to stop this." 214 00:12:11,967 --> 00:12:15,233 [narrator] Janelle now has no doubt who is behind it all. 215 00:12:20,567 --> 00:12:22,400 We just kind of put two and two together. 216 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:23,433 It was Michael Hetle. 217 00:12:26,867 --> 00:12:28,300 [narrator] Mother and daughter are convinced 218 00:12:28,300 --> 00:12:30,667 Michael is weaponizing both the HOA 219 00:12:30,667 --> 00:12:32,400 and law enforcement against them. 220 00:12:33,367 --> 00:12:37,567 He would call the police and complain that the dogs, 221 00:12:37,567 --> 00:12:40,600 they keep barking and we basically abuse our animals. 222 00:12:41,867 --> 00:12:44,467 [narrator] They insist none of it is true. 223 00:12:44,467 --> 00:12:48,000 And when authorities respond, they don't hear a thing. 224 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,667 Dispatch, I've been listening at Janelle Hull's house. 225 00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:52,700 There's no noise violation. 226 00:12:54,367 --> 00:12:57,266 [Amaya] I felt like that's when the police started to get annoyed themselves. 227 00:12:57,266 --> 00:13:00,634 He's just calling the cops on literally anything. 228 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:04,667 [narrator] Though police find no issues, 229 00:13:04,667 --> 00:13:06,400 Michael Hetle's complaints 230 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:08,767 have set the narrative in the community, 231 00:13:08,767 --> 00:13:11,266 and the women next door suffer for it. 232 00:13:11,266 --> 00:13:12,967 One neighbor did describe them 233 00:13:12,967 --> 00:13:15,500 as being the problematic house on the block. 234 00:13:17,767 --> 00:13:20,767 [Amaya] I was walking my dog Gizmo. 235 00:13:20,767 --> 00:13:22,500 Gizmo went to the bathroom. 236 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,900 Are you gonna clean up after that dog? 237 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:28,166 She yelled, "Make sure you pick your dog [bleep] up. 238 00:13:28,166 --> 00:13:30,600 We all know all the [bleep] in this neighborhood 239 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:31,934 is from you and your dogs." 240 00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:34,000 Sorry? 241 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,100 I did have a poop bag on me. 242 00:13:36,100 --> 00:13:38,300 I've heard all about you and your mom. 243 00:13:38,867 --> 00:13:40,367 [scoffs] 244 00:13:53,266 --> 00:13:56,734 [narrator] The neighborhood's growing animosity weighs heavily on Amaya. 245 00:13:57,867 --> 00:14:00,667 In her eyes, it's entirely unjustified. 246 00:14:00,667 --> 00:14:02,200 [sobbing] 247 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,166 Amaya? What's wrong? 248 00:14:05,166 --> 00:14:06,900 -What happened? -They all hate us, Mom. 249 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,767 Everyone hates us here. 250 00:14:09,767 --> 00:14:10,934 No, no, no. 251 00:14:12,567 --> 00:14:13,900 It's okay. 252 00:14:15,867 --> 00:14:19,300 My mom just honestly couldn't handle it anymore. 253 00:14:24,367 --> 00:14:25,667 [knocking on door] 254 00:14:25,667 --> 00:14:27,900 She did walk over and knock on his door. 255 00:14:33,367 --> 00:14:36,467 Why are you spreading crap about me and my child to the neighbors? 256 00:14:36,467 --> 00:14:38,166 I don't know what you're talking about. 257 00:14:38,166 --> 00:14:41,367 I know it's you, Michael. You're unhinged! 258 00:14:41,367 --> 00:14:43,367 She did, you know, cuss him out. 259 00:14:43,367 --> 00:14:45,000 You need to mind your damn business. 260 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,433 Quit calling the HOA and the cops on us. 261 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:51,066 Any one of these encounters could escalate, 262 00:14:51,066 --> 00:14:53,033 could turn into a violent encounter. 263 00:14:59,667 --> 00:15:03,133 [narrator] Janelle refuses to be intimidated by Michael's complaints. 264 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,667 Mike Hetle did not care for Janelle 265 00:15:07,667 --> 00:15:09,600 and did not want them as neighbors. 266 00:15:16,266 --> 00:15:19,133 [narrator] Undeterred, she continues to live her life. 267 00:15:20,100 --> 00:15:23,266 That was really good. Thank you guys for coming. 268 00:15:23,266 --> 00:15:26,467 Right? We should definitely join this. Come on! 269 00:15:26,467 --> 00:15:28,467 [Amaya] My mom would have her best friends over. 270 00:15:28,467 --> 00:15:31,100 We would play, like, card games and board games, 271 00:15:31,100 --> 00:15:32,266 and, like, they would cook. 272 00:15:32,266 --> 00:15:34,300 [laughter] 273 00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:37,767 [narrator] Naturally, Janelle's gatherings infuriate Michael. 274 00:15:37,767 --> 00:15:41,066 Mr. Hetle also complained there were loud parties, 275 00:15:41,066 --> 00:15:43,667 more unruly than what they'd been used to. 276 00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:45,767 [laughter] 277 00:15:45,767 --> 00:15:48,000 It was nothing big. It wasn't a party. 278 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,166 It was just a gathering. When they would come over, 279 00:15:50,166 --> 00:15:53,367 that's when the noise complaints were to happen a lot. 280 00:15:53,367 --> 00:15:55,600 -[all laughing] -Yeah! What? 281 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:57,867 [indistinct chatter] 282 00:15:57,867 --> 00:16:00,166 [upbeat music playing] 283 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,233 [laughter] 284 00:16:09,467 --> 00:16:10,700 [knocking on gate] 285 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:15,867 [Janelle] Can I help you, officer? 286 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:23,867 We received a noise complaint, ma'am. 287 00:16:23,867 --> 00:16:26,667 We're not being loud. This is my house. 288 00:16:26,667 --> 00:16:28,667 I'm allowed to have people over. 289 00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:30,166 [Amaya] We weren't even being loud. 290 00:16:30,166 --> 00:16:31,667 And now they see that the cops are here. 291 00:16:31,667 --> 00:16:33,100 It was embarrassing. 292 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:35,166 Just keep the noise levels down. 293 00:16:35,166 --> 00:16:38,700 But it was never as he tried to make it seem. 294 00:16:51,567 --> 00:16:54,900 [narrator] Janelle puts on a strong face for her family and friends. 295 00:16:55,367 --> 00:16:57,100 But she can't anticipate 296 00:16:57,100 --> 00:16:59,300 how bad things are about to get. 297 00:17:00,066 --> 00:17:01,767 -[man] Janelle Hull? -Yes. 298 00:17:01,767 --> 00:17:05,100 -You've been served. -[Janelle] What? 299 00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:08,266 [narrator] Due to unresolved complaints filed against her, 300 00:17:08,266 --> 00:17:11,300 the Homeowners Association sues Janelle. 301 00:17:12,166 --> 00:17:15,266 The lawsuit accused us of leaving our dog poop 302 00:17:15,266 --> 00:17:16,767 all over the neighborhood. 303 00:17:16,767 --> 00:17:18,700 Also, the loud music and the yelling. 304 00:17:18,700 --> 00:17:22,367 Janelle did acknowledge that some of the complaints may have had merit, 305 00:17:22,367 --> 00:17:24,600 but said that many of them were misrepresented. 306 00:17:26,567 --> 00:17:31,300 The repeated phone calls, repeated documentation to the HOA, 307 00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:35,367 all appear to me to be someone who is trying to weaponize 308 00:17:35,367 --> 00:17:38,500 those systems against Janelle. 309 00:17:38,500 --> 00:17:41,066 [narrator] Overwhelmed by what she sees as persecution, 310 00:17:41,066 --> 00:17:43,266 Janelle finally lashes back at Michael. 311 00:17:43,266 --> 00:17:46,266 Karma's a bitch, and you're gonna get it! 312 00:17:46,266 --> 00:17:50,066 My mom, she had a lot of anger built up. 313 00:17:50,066 --> 00:17:53,567 She's not going to live her life having to tiptoe around. 314 00:17:53,567 --> 00:17:56,600 [narrator] Michael isn't fazed by his neighbor's threats. 315 00:17:57,467 --> 00:18:00,200 But Janelle is dead serious. 316 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:04,967 She hires an attorney to fight back, 317 00:18:04,967 --> 00:18:06,667 and determines not to let the stress 318 00:18:06,667 --> 00:18:08,934 of an ongoing lawsuit wear her down. 319 00:18:10,900 --> 00:18:13,967 It gave her some sort of empowerment. 320 00:18:13,967 --> 00:18:17,500 She felt like she was not the bad guy in this situation. 321 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:22,200 Oh, it's good to see you. Hi! 322 00:18:23,166 --> 00:18:25,634 [upbeat music playing] 323 00:18:26,467 --> 00:18:28,567 [upbeat music playing in distance] 324 00:18:28,567 --> 00:18:31,767 [people chattering in distance] 325 00:18:31,767 --> 00:18:35,433 [narrator] Michael Hetle is not getting the response he was hoping for. 326 00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:37,700 [Sara gasps] 327 00:18:46,367 --> 00:18:48,300 Drive home safe. 328 00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:50,133 [indistinct chatter] 329 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,867 [laughter] 330 00:18:53,867 --> 00:18:57,000 [narrator] As much as Janelle tries to take the high road... 331 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,367 Bye! Drive safe! 332 00:18:59,367 --> 00:19:03,200 ...an uncharacteristic bad decision threatens to undo it all. 333 00:19:04,667 --> 00:19:06,900 She just exploded. 334 00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:24,266 What may have started out as your typical neighborly disputes 335 00:19:24,266 --> 00:19:27,300 very quickly escalated to something else. 336 00:19:31,066 --> 00:19:33,000 [glass shattering] 337 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,200 What was that? 338 00:19:35,367 --> 00:19:37,600 [glass shattering] 339 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,166 What the hell are you doing? 340 00:19:42,166 --> 00:19:44,333 [laughs] 341 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:52,800 [Lambe] She was pelting his car with bottles 342 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:55,934 that caused some damage of glass breaking on the driveway. 343 00:19:58,066 --> 00:20:00,166 The police came, and Janelle was at this point 344 00:20:00,166 --> 00:20:01,867 charged with destruction of property. 345 00:20:01,867 --> 00:20:06,700 She later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor crime. 346 00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:11,000 And I believe she had to pay about $1,800 in restitution. 347 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:16,567 My mom, at the time, she felt embarrassed and she was sad about it. 348 00:20:16,567 --> 00:20:19,200 [narrator] Michael Hetle views this as a victory. 349 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,367 While a chastised Janelle Hull 350 00:20:21,367 --> 00:20:23,567 wonders if this fight is even worth it. 351 00:20:23,567 --> 00:20:27,867 There were some thoughts about moving away, 352 00:20:27,867 --> 00:20:31,367 but your life is here and you bought this house. 353 00:20:31,367 --> 00:20:33,300 You deserve it. Don't let anyone try to 354 00:20:33,300 --> 00:20:34,800 tear you away from that. 355 00:20:36,700 --> 00:20:39,000 [narrator] Then, a burgeoning romance 356 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:40,900 suddenly changes everything. 357 00:20:40,900 --> 00:20:42,266 I got you some cupcakes. 358 00:20:42,266 --> 00:20:43,900 -My favorite. -Open up. Open up. 359 00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:44,800 Whoop. 360 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:45,767 -Okay. -Stop it. 361 00:20:45,767 --> 00:20:47,100 Okay, okay, okay, okay. 362 00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:48,467 [narrator] Janelle finds herself 363 00:20:48,467 --> 00:20:49,867 head over heels in love 364 00:20:49,867 --> 00:20:53,967 with 21-year-old military man Javon Prather. 365 00:20:53,967 --> 00:20:56,367 [Amaya] Javon was very goofy. 366 00:20:56,367 --> 00:20:59,166 There was never one conversation you had with him, 367 00:20:59,166 --> 00:21:00,667 where he didn't, like, make you laugh 368 00:21:00,667 --> 00:21:02,166 or crack a smile. 369 00:21:02,166 --> 00:21:03,600 [laughs] 370 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:04,767 I love you, Javon. 371 00:21:04,767 --> 00:21:05,800 I love you, too. 372 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:07,767 You could tell that he cared a lot about my mom. 373 00:21:07,767 --> 00:21:10,000 He cared a lot about the dogs we had. 374 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,166 [Lambe] At the time he moved in, 375 00:21:11,166 --> 00:21:13,100 Javon worked at a Giant grocery store. 376 00:21:13,100 --> 00:21:15,967 Before that, he was in the Maryland National Guard. 377 00:21:15,967 --> 00:21:16,967 He was a specialist, 378 00:21:16,967 --> 00:21:19,667 and also spent four years as an infantryman. 379 00:21:19,667 --> 00:21:22,500 Seemed to be a fun-loving type of guy, 380 00:21:22,500 --> 00:21:24,867 interested in music, 381 00:21:24,867 --> 00:21:27,734 and got along really well with his family. 382 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:32,967 [narrator] And soon after Javon enters the picture, 383 00:21:32,967 --> 00:21:35,700 he has his first encounter with Michael Hetle. 384 00:21:36,667 --> 00:21:38,100 Hey, Javon. 385 00:21:38,100 --> 00:21:39,300 I love this song. 386 00:21:39,300 --> 00:21:40,500 Turn it up. 387 00:21:44,867 --> 00:21:46,000 Come on. 388 00:21:48,667 --> 00:21:49,767 Go, Amaya. 389 00:21:49,767 --> 00:21:51,266 Go, Amaya. Go, Amaya. 390 00:21:51,266 --> 00:21:54,100 The first interaction between Hetle and Javon, 391 00:21:54,100 --> 00:21:55,700 Hetle said that he was 392 00:21:55,700 --> 00:21:58,567 in his house looking out of the window 393 00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:02,567 when he saw the two of them dancing in the driveway. 394 00:22:02,567 --> 00:22:04,000 Okay. Okay. 395 00:22:07,500 --> 00:22:09,567 [narrator] Not sensing any ill will, 396 00:22:09,567 --> 00:22:11,767 Javon is quick to introduce himself, 397 00:22:11,767 --> 00:22:14,400 and hopes for a neighborly favor from Michael. 398 00:22:14,867 --> 00:22:16,300 [Javon] Hey, Mr. Hetle. 399 00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:20,266 I'm Javon. 400 00:22:20,266 --> 00:22:21,100 Janelle's boyfriend. 401 00:22:21,100 --> 00:22:22,700 I was wondering, could I use your hose? 402 00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:24,000 I need to wash my car real quick 403 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:25,500 and the one in the back can't reach. 404 00:22:30,467 --> 00:22:31,433 No. 405 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,300 They got off on the wrong foot, immediately. 406 00:22:45,667 --> 00:22:46,800 [Janelle] Oh. 407 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:48,667 Here you go, Janelle. 408 00:22:48,667 --> 00:22:49,867 [Janelle] Thank you. 409 00:22:49,867 --> 00:22:51,000 [Javon] No problem. 410 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,300 -Cheers. -Cheers. 411 00:22:53,300 --> 00:22:55,567 [Amaya] My mom and Javon's relationship 412 00:22:55,567 --> 00:22:56,767 -in the beginning... -It's nice. 413 00:22:56,767 --> 00:22:58,500 -...it honestly was... -Yeah. 414 00:22:58,500 --> 00:22:59,634 ...blissful. 415 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:01,233 They were best friends. 416 00:23:01,233 --> 00:23:04,100 I could tell she was honestly happy. 417 00:23:04,100 --> 00:23:06,400 [narrator] But the ongoing feud with Michael 418 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:08,800 threatens to poison that happiness. 419 00:23:09,667 --> 00:23:11,834 So, I met your neighbor today. 420 00:23:12,767 --> 00:23:14,266 It's best to keep your distance. 421 00:23:14,266 --> 00:23:15,667 He's insane. 422 00:23:15,667 --> 00:23:17,634 I mean, he's not that bad. 423 00:23:18,567 --> 00:23:21,467 He's been out to get us since day one. 424 00:23:21,467 --> 00:23:24,133 I think he's the one who initiated that HOA lawsuit. 425 00:23:24,667 --> 00:23:25,667 He worries me. 426 00:23:25,667 --> 00:23:27,000 Janelle, listen, 427 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:28,467 no one's gonna hurt you or Amaya 428 00:23:28,467 --> 00:23:29,467 now that I'm around. 429 00:23:29,467 --> 00:23:30,600 Okay? 430 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:31,867 Okay. 431 00:23:31,867 --> 00:23:34,767 [Amaya] He tried to do whatever he could to keep her safe 432 00:23:34,767 --> 00:23:37,900 and, you know, wasn't gonna let Hetle walk all over her. 433 00:23:39,266 --> 00:23:42,000 [narrator] Janelle and Javon take their own next step. 434 00:23:46,867 --> 00:23:48,567 They marry within a few months, 435 00:23:48,567 --> 00:23:51,233 and Janelle takes her husband's last name. 436 00:23:52,967 --> 00:23:55,400 But the newlywed bliss doesn't last. 437 00:23:57,467 --> 00:23:58,800 The tension in the neighborhood 438 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:00,600 leaches into their relationship. 439 00:24:02,266 --> 00:24:03,700 [Janelle] I hate you! 440 00:24:03,700 --> 00:24:05,867 -Get out! -[Javon] I'm done with you. 441 00:24:05,867 --> 00:24:07,400 [Amaya] There was a lot of ups and downs to it. 442 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:09,000 [Janelle] Don't ever come here again. 443 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:10,567 [Amaya] I'm not gonna lie, there was... 444 00:24:10,567 --> 00:24:12,066 quite a few arguments. 445 00:24:12,066 --> 00:24:12,900 [Javon] What is wrong with you? 446 00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:14,567 [Janelle] Me? What's wrong with you? 447 00:24:14,567 --> 00:24:16,867 -Besides everything? -Oh, please. 448 00:24:16,867 --> 00:24:18,066 [Janelle] I wish I never met you. 449 00:24:18,066 --> 00:24:18,800 [Javon] I wish I'd never met you. 450 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:19,934 [Janelle] Get out of my house! 451 00:24:19,934 --> 00:24:21,867 Yes, police, I need you to get to my house now. 452 00:24:21,867 --> 00:24:22,734 [Javon and Janelle arguing] 453 00:24:22,734 --> 00:24:23,734 The neighbors are having a house dispute. 454 00:24:23,734 --> 00:24:25,100 [Burnham] The Prathers and the Hetles 455 00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:27,000 were a little like oil and water. 456 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,066 Their relationship strained 457 00:24:30,066 --> 00:24:31,900 the longer they lived next to each other. 458 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:36,600 [narrator] The police presence at the Prather home ramps up. 459 00:24:37,467 --> 00:24:39,100 [sirens wailing] 460 00:24:39,100 --> 00:24:41,767 Janelle contends it's nothing but harassment. 461 00:24:41,767 --> 00:24:42,934 [Javon and Janelle arguing] 462 00:24:42,934 --> 00:24:46,400 Essentially, they told her that they couldn't really stop 463 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,400 the Hetles from continuing to call law enforcement. 464 00:24:50,266 --> 00:24:52,100 They called the police under the auspice 465 00:24:52,100 --> 00:24:54,934 of being worried about, uh, the neighbors. 466 00:24:58,066 --> 00:24:58,967 [narrator] Eventually, 467 00:24:58,967 --> 00:25:01,200 Michael Hetle's persistence pays off... 468 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:02,033 [knocks on door] 469 00:25:02,033 --> 00:25:04,133 ...to the shock of those next door. 470 00:25:06,967 --> 00:25:08,433 Mrs. Janelle Prather. 471 00:25:09,900 --> 00:25:11,467 What now? 472 00:25:11,467 --> 00:25:12,734 From your neighbor. 473 00:25:13,867 --> 00:25:15,600 [narrator] Janelle finds herself slapped 474 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:16,934 with a protective order. 475 00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:19,000 [Descano] The protection order 476 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,967 that Mr. Hetle was able to get against Janelle 477 00:25:21,967 --> 00:25:23,700 stipulated that Janelle was not allowed 478 00:25:23,700 --> 00:25:26,567 to speak to Mr. Hetle, Mrs. Hetle, 479 00:25:26,567 --> 00:25:28,700 or Mr. Hetle's son. 480 00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:30,567 [Amaya] She had to stay up ten 481 00:25:30,567 --> 00:25:32,266 to 15 feet away from him. 482 00:25:32,266 --> 00:25:34,367 She couldn't be anywhere near close to him, 483 00:25:34,367 --> 00:25:36,367 even though we were like next-door neighbors. 484 00:25:36,367 --> 00:25:38,400 She was just very shook. 485 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:39,266 [sighs in exasperation] 486 00:25:43,700 --> 00:25:45,200 [narrator] According to the Prathers, 487 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:47,667 Michael steps up his antagonistic behavior. 488 00:25:47,667 --> 00:25:49,300 once the order is in place. 489 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:53,233 How do you like that present I left for you? 490 00:25:54,867 --> 00:25:56,233 How's that for karma? 491 00:25:57,367 --> 00:26:00,066 [Amaya] Hetle would try to, like, taunt my mom 492 00:26:00,066 --> 00:26:01,300 and, like, talk to her 493 00:26:01,300 --> 00:26:03,867 to kind of get a reaction out of her. 494 00:26:03,867 --> 00:26:05,200 I see you. 495 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,100 You keep looking at me. 496 00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:07,967 [narrator] Janelle knows 497 00:26:07,967 --> 00:26:09,867 that if she breaks the order's terms, 498 00:26:09,867 --> 00:26:12,133 she risks being thrown in jail. 499 00:26:13,166 --> 00:26:15,000 You got something to say, huh? 500 00:26:15,567 --> 00:26:16,834 Do you? 501 00:26:16,834 --> 00:26:19,967 At one point, Janelle did actually report Hetle to the police 502 00:26:19,967 --> 00:26:23,367 for trying to get her to violate the protective order. 503 00:26:23,367 --> 00:26:25,100 The police basically said 504 00:26:25,100 --> 00:26:26,667 there's nothing we can do about it. 505 00:26:26,667 --> 00:26:28,667 You just have to ignore him. 506 00:26:28,667 --> 00:26:30,166 [narrator] With no other option, 507 00:26:30,166 --> 00:26:31,700 Janelle keeps her distance, 508 00:26:32,467 --> 00:26:34,900 but someone has other plans. 509 00:26:47,367 --> 00:26:48,300 [Burnham] At that time, 510 00:26:48,300 --> 00:26:51,000 there was bad blood between the neighbors, 511 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,166 the Hetles and the Prathers. 512 00:26:53,166 --> 00:26:54,500 [ominous music playing] 513 00:26:59,567 --> 00:27:00,600 Michael! 514 00:27:06,667 --> 00:27:09,367 I saw Javon loitering by the car last night. 515 00:27:09,367 --> 00:27:11,533 He did this to get back at me. 516 00:27:12,567 --> 00:27:13,900 I'm calling the cops. 517 00:27:14,967 --> 00:27:16,266 [Burnham] When the police responded, 518 00:27:16,266 --> 00:27:18,100 they did document what looked... 519 00:27:18,100 --> 00:27:19,667 appeared to be ranch dressing 520 00:27:19,667 --> 00:27:21,500 on the Hetles' vehicle. 521 00:27:21,500 --> 00:27:22,533 Yeah. Okay, fine. 522 00:27:22,533 --> 00:27:24,367 But this is really just crossing the line for us. 523 00:27:24,367 --> 00:27:26,700 [chuckles dryly] Here's the vandal now. 524 00:27:27,367 --> 00:27:28,400 Vandal? 525 00:27:30,567 --> 00:27:31,767 What's going on? 526 00:27:31,767 --> 00:27:33,800 Do you know anything about this, sir? 527 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:36,266 No. Why would I? Are you saying it was me? 528 00:27:36,266 --> 00:27:38,100 I'm just trying to figure out what happened here. 529 00:27:38,100 --> 00:27:39,800 Well, it wasn't me. But if you wanna be helpful, 530 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:41,400 you can tell this jerk 531 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:43,000 to leave me and my family alone. 532 00:27:44,266 --> 00:27:46,767 You don't like us, then leave. 533 00:27:46,767 --> 00:27:48,867 You're the one that showed up out of nowhere. 534 00:27:48,867 --> 00:27:50,400 You're the one that no one in the neighborhood likes. 535 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,367 You're the one that had the cops called on you again. 536 00:27:53,367 --> 00:27:55,400 Stay away from my property. 537 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:56,667 Stay away from us. 538 00:27:56,667 --> 00:27:58,400 -I'm gonna kick your ass! -That's enough. 539 00:28:00,567 --> 00:28:01,867 There were a lot of 540 00:28:01,867 --> 00:28:04,200 angry words exchanged on both sides, 541 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:06,500 the Prathers and the Hetles. 542 00:28:06,500 --> 00:28:09,467 [narrator] No charges are laid in the ranch dressing incident, 543 00:28:09,467 --> 00:28:12,400 which Javon insists he had no part in. 544 00:28:16,367 --> 00:28:18,100 Yet now, he too wonders 545 00:28:18,100 --> 00:28:20,500 if his family should move out of the neighborhood 546 00:28:20,500 --> 00:28:22,567 for their own protection. 547 00:28:22,567 --> 00:28:24,867 And on the other side of the property line, 548 00:28:24,867 --> 00:28:27,166 Michael seeks protection of his own. 549 00:28:27,166 --> 00:28:28,400 [Lambe] After this incident, 550 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:31,166 where there were no witnesses to what happened with the car, 551 00:28:31,166 --> 00:28:33,300 Hetle had security cameras installed. 552 00:28:33,300 --> 00:28:35,567 It was our view that he installed those cameras 553 00:28:35,567 --> 00:28:38,367 to try to catch Javon committing the misdeeds 554 00:28:38,367 --> 00:28:40,233 that Mr. Hetle claimed were occurring. 555 00:28:43,166 --> 00:28:45,367 [Amaya] He had directed his cameras 556 00:28:45,367 --> 00:28:47,767 exactly at my front door. 557 00:28:47,767 --> 00:28:50,433 It's like he bought the cameras just for us. 558 00:28:51,467 --> 00:28:53,900 [narrator] Unlike Janelle, no protective order 559 00:28:53,900 --> 00:28:55,900 stops Javon from speaking to Michael. 560 00:28:55,900 --> 00:28:57,533 [Javon] You're pathetic. You know that? 561 00:28:59,166 --> 00:29:01,467 And you don't belong in this neighborhood. 562 00:29:01,467 --> 00:29:03,500 -Get out! -Your neighborhood, huh? 563 00:29:03,500 --> 00:29:05,000 You're the boss now. 564 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:06,600 -Get out! -You're the boss of no one. 565 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:07,734 You're just a fat ass. [speaking indistinctly] 566 00:29:07,734 --> 00:29:09,066 -Look at the camera. -[Burnham] There were instances 567 00:29:09,066 --> 00:29:10,200 that were documented on the camera, 568 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:12,567 where Mr. Hetle would... 569 00:29:12,567 --> 00:29:13,900 curse out Javon Prather, 570 00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:15,900 and Javon Prather would call him names. 571 00:29:15,900 --> 00:29:17,266 [thunder rumbles] 572 00:29:18,767 --> 00:29:21,066 [narrator] The raging storm between these neighbors 573 00:29:21,066 --> 00:29:25,000 is now primed to become a full-blown catastrophe. 574 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:31,867 March 3rd, 2020, is a special day 575 00:29:31,867 --> 00:29:33,934 for now 24-year-old Javon. 576 00:29:35,367 --> 00:29:36,867 It's his first time voting 577 00:29:36,867 --> 00:29:39,233 in the presidential primary election. 578 00:29:40,667 --> 00:29:44,367 [Amaya] When they came back from going to vote, 579 00:29:44,367 --> 00:29:46,367 Javon had taken a selfie 580 00:29:46,367 --> 00:29:48,700 with his voting sticker in the car, 581 00:29:48,700 --> 00:29:50,800 and was like, very proud of it, 582 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:53,300 and, you know, had to the radio playing. 583 00:29:56,266 --> 00:29:58,200 [narrator] The mood is quickly soured 584 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:00,800 when the couple sees Michael Hetle watching them. 585 00:30:01,166 --> 00:30:03,266 Nice day for a drive. 586 00:30:03,266 --> 00:30:05,100 Find a new home while you were out? 587 00:30:05,100 --> 00:30:05,967 Shut the hell up! 588 00:30:05,967 --> 00:30:07,900 Keep talking, I'll have you arrested. 589 00:30:08,567 --> 00:30:10,400 Why don't you and I have a conversation? 590 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:11,900 Stay off my property. 591 00:30:12,500 --> 00:30:15,133 [dramatic music playing] 592 00:30:23,467 --> 00:30:24,800 [phone beeps] 593 00:30:25,567 --> 00:30:26,900 Yes. Police? 594 00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:28,233 It's Michael Hetle. 595 00:30:28,667 --> 00:30:29,700 [sighs] 596 00:30:30,467 --> 00:30:31,700 Hmm. 597 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:33,300 [breathes heavily] 598 00:30:34,567 --> 00:30:36,533 I can't do this anymore. 599 00:30:37,367 --> 00:30:39,133 No. I'm done, Javon! 600 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:41,634 [Javon] You're right. 601 00:30:42,266 --> 00:30:43,500 Since now. 602 00:30:43,867 --> 00:30:45,133 [sobs] 603 00:30:54,367 --> 00:30:55,767 [Descano] I don't think that anybody thinks 604 00:30:55,767 --> 00:30:57,100 something like that is going to happen 605 00:30:57,100 --> 00:30:58,200 in their neighborhood. 606 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:00,233 [gunshots] 607 00:31:06,967 --> 00:31:08,133 [sirens wailing] 608 00:31:11,300 --> 00:31:14,000 [Burnham] This was cold, callous murder. 609 00:31:16,567 --> 00:31:18,367 [narrator] An ongoing petty dispute 610 00:31:18,367 --> 00:31:20,000 takes a fatal turn 611 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:21,700 when Javon Prather is gunned down 612 00:31:21,700 --> 00:31:23,834 by next door neighbor Michael Hetle. 613 00:31:30,367 --> 00:31:32,800 He tells police his version of events 614 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,000 in which Javon was acting aggressively. 615 00:31:36,700 --> 00:31:41,467 [Burnham] Mike Hetle believed Javon was under the influence 616 00:31:41,467 --> 00:31:45,233 and decided to call 911 to report that. 617 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:55,767 When Javon and Janelle returned home that day, 618 00:31:55,767 --> 00:31:58,233 Javon was sitting in his vehicle. 619 00:32:02,500 --> 00:32:05,066 Mr. Hetle called towards Javon Prather 620 00:32:05,066 --> 00:32:07,567 and told Javon that the police 621 00:32:07,567 --> 00:32:10,000 were going to come and speak with him. 622 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:12,100 Yo! Yo, yo. 623 00:32:13,367 --> 00:32:14,667 Cops are coming. 624 00:32:14,667 --> 00:32:15,867 We literally just got home. 625 00:32:15,867 --> 00:32:17,934 What could you possibly be calling them about? 626 00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:21,000 You jerk! 627 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:27,500 You really are the world's biggest loser. 628 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:31,867 At first it looked like Javon was just gonna be 629 00:32:31,867 --> 00:32:33,800 waiting for the police outside, 630 00:32:33,800 --> 00:32:35,567 but then, suddenly, 631 00:32:35,567 --> 00:32:38,166 Javon went back inside to his own house. 632 00:32:38,166 --> 00:32:39,400 [narrator] Michael tells authorities 633 00:32:39,400 --> 00:32:42,100 he was afraid of what might come next. 634 00:32:42,100 --> 00:32:45,367 [Burnham] Mr. Hetle was going to be servicing his gun that day, 635 00:32:45,367 --> 00:32:47,667 so he had it in his living room. 636 00:32:47,667 --> 00:32:51,266 That's where it was when he claimed the banging 637 00:32:51,266 --> 00:32:53,867 that shook his walls of his home happened. 638 00:32:53,867 --> 00:32:56,300 [dramatic music playing] 639 00:32:58,600 --> 00:33:00,100 [doorbell rings] 640 00:33:00,100 --> 00:33:01,300 [loud knocking at door] 641 00:33:01,300 --> 00:33:02,600 [doorbell rings] 642 00:33:03,967 --> 00:33:06,467 Hetle said that he was terrified at this point. 643 00:33:06,467 --> 00:33:09,367 He believed that Javon was coming over 644 00:33:09,367 --> 00:33:10,900 -to do something violent. - [gun cocks] 645 00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:12,400 [doorbell rings] 646 00:33:14,100 --> 00:33:17,800 He saw just pure rage on Javon Prather's face. 647 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:20,400 He was scared that Javon was going to attack him. 648 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:22,200 -[doorbell rings] -[Michael] Get back! 649 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:23,400 [narrator] In that moment, 650 00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:26,400 Michael claims to have seen Javon reaching for a weapon. 651 00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:27,834 He was in fear for his life. 652 00:33:28,567 --> 00:33:30,300 [narrator] So he opens fire. 653 00:33:31,266 --> 00:33:33,634 [gunshots] 654 00:33:35,667 --> 00:33:37,567 Javon died at the scene. 655 00:33:37,567 --> 00:33:39,600 He didn't even make it to the hospital. 656 00:33:43,800 --> 00:33:46,567 [narrator] Police now look to Janelle to corroborate, 657 00:33:46,567 --> 00:33:49,467 but she tells a completely different story. 658 00:33:49,467 --> 00:33:52,266 My mom had been in the house at the time, 659 00:33:52,266 --> 00:33:53,367 but then she had heard it. 660 00:33:53,367 --> 00:33:55,700 [gunshots] 661 00:33:57,100 --> 00:33:58,567 [narrator] Janelle runs outside, 662 00:33:58,567 --> 00:34:00,066 but it's too late. 663 00:34:00,066 --> 00:34:01,700 Javon is dead. 664 00:34:01,700 --> 00:34:03,400 And Michael is waiting for her. 665 00:34:04,266 --> 00:34:05,900 You want it, too? 666 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:25,500 I'm here to get my husband. 667 00:34:25,867 --> 00:34:27,333 Get away! 668 00:34:31,100 --> 00:34:33,033 [Janelle crying] No. 669 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:36,033 [Janelle crying] 670 00:34:37,166 --> 00:34:38,800 Now, come on. 671 00:34:38,800 --> 00:34:40,000 Come on, come on, come on. 672 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:41,400 Come on, get up. Get up, get up. 673 00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:43,500 You killed him! 674 00:34:43,500 --> 00:34:45,500 [Janelle crying] 675 00:34:45,500 --> 00:34:46,300 Oh, come on. 676 00:34:46,300 --> 00:34:48,400 Oh, come, please. Get up. Please. 677 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:51,166 [Burnham] Mr. Hetle claimed that he was concerned 678 00:34:51,166 --> 00:34:53,266 that Janelle had a knife 679 00:34:53,266 --> 00:34:54,800 when she came and 680 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:57,467 tried to drag Javon's body, 681 00:34:57,467 --> 00:34:59,600 Janelle may somehow cause him harm. 682 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:01,600 [sobbing] Get up, please. 683 00:35:02,967 --> 00:35:06,700 There was no documentation that Janelle Prather had any weapons 684 00:35:06,700 --> 00:35:07,867 when the police arrived. 685 00:35:07,867 --> 00:35:09,600 You killed him! 686 00:35:10,867 --> 00:35:13,367 He shot him in cold blood. 687 00:35:13,367 --> 00:35:15,233 He hated him! 688 00:35:15,700 --> 00:35:18,000 He murdered him. 689 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:19,600 Oh, my God. 690 00:35:20,867 --> 00:35:22,900 I'm sorry about your loss, ma'am. 691 00:35:22,900 --> 00:35:24,867 [narrator] With statements from both parties, 692 00:35:24,867 --> 00:35:26,367 police now search for evidence 693 00:35:26,367 --> 00:35:29,767 to find out which version of events is the truth. 694 00:35:29,767 --> 00:35:32,100 When the police responded to the shooting, 695 00:35:32,100 --> 00:35:35,100 they executed a variety of search warrants 696 00:35:35,100 --> 00:35:38,166 for documentation and electronic evidence. 697 00:35:38,166 --> 00:35:41,100 In recorded phone calls to the jail, 698 00:35:41,100 --> 00:35:44,100 Mr. Hetle called his wife Sara 699 00:35:44,100 --> 00:35:46,367 and asked what all was taken by the police 700 00:35:46,367 --> 00:35:47,433 when they arrived. 701 00:35:58,467 --> 00:36:01,000 What really happened in the case is as plain as day 702 00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:03,333 when you take a look at the Ring camera video. 703 00:36:04,100 --> 00:36:05,467 [narrator] The camera Michael set up 704 00:36:05,467 --> 00:36:07,266 to keep an eye on his neighbors 705 00:36:07,266 --> 00:36:09,667 reveals the cold-blooded reality 706 00:36:09,667 --> 00:36:10,934 of Javon's murder. 707 00:36:22,667 --> 00:36:24,700 [door opens, gunshots] 708 00:36:57,266 --> 00:36:58,800 [Janelle] I just want to get my husband! 709 00:37:15,767 --> 00:37:17,500 [Janelle crying] 710 00:37:23,367 --> 00:37:24,500 Come on. 711 00:37:40,467 --> 00:37:42,667 There was no loud banging on the door, 712 00:37:42,667 --> 00:37:43,700 there was no angry faces. 713 00:37:43,700 --> 00:37:45,767 As a matter of fact, the Ring doorbell shows that 714 00:37:45,767 --> 00:37:47,300 he took steps back 715 00:37:47,300 --> 00:37:48,400 to give space. 716 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:49,567 There was no interaction... 717 00:37:49,567 --> 00:37:51,100 -[gunshots] -...when the door opened. 718 00:37:51,100 --> 00:37:53,200 And instead of taking the defensive posture 719 00:37:53,200 --> 00:37:55,400 that Mr. Hetle claimed that he was taking, 720 00:37:55,400 --> 00:37:58,200 he actually followed Javon out onto the landing, 721 00:37:58,200 --> 00:37:59,266 continued to fire, 722 00:37:59,266 --> 00:38:00,767 followed him down the steps. 723 00:38:00,767 --> 00:38:03,000 What happened at the end of the day is, 724 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:05,567 Javon Prather knocked on his neighbor's door, 725 00:38:05,567 --> 00:38:07,100 and his neighbor, Mr. Hetle, 726 00:38:07,100 --> 00:38:09,867 answered with seven shots in six seconds. 727 00:38:09,867 --> 00:38:12,400 [gunshots] 728 00:38:17,100 --> 00:38:18,800 [Burnham] The video footage shows 729 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,600 that there was absolutely nothing Javon did 730 00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:25,433 that warranted being shot and killed in that manner. 731 00:38:26,266 --> 00:38:27,700 [narrator] Javon Prather's murder 732 00:38:27,700 --> 00:38:29,867 leaves his wife, Janelle, devastated. 733 00:38:29,867 --> 00:38:32,133 She stayed to herself and cried a lot. 734 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:33,634 A lot. 735 00:38:35,567 --> 00:38:36,600 [narrator] During the trial, 736 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:39,867 details of Michael Hetle's past are revealed. 737 00:38:39,867 --> 00:38:41,166 [Lambe] While he was an officer 738 00:38:41,166 --> 00:38:42,567 with the Bellevue Police Department, 739 00:38:42,567 --> 00:38:46,467 there were three particular incidents involving Hetle 740 00:38:46,467 --> 00:38:47,767 that were of note. 741 00:38:47,767 --> 00:38:49,200 In two of the instances, 742 00:38:49,200 --> 00:38:52,000 he shot and killed someone. 743 00:38:52,200 --> 00:38:53,700 [gunshots] 744 00:38:53,700 --> 00:38:56,233 He was cleared of wrongdoing in both of them. 745 00:38:57,400 --> 00:38:59,467 [narrator] However, a third event 746 00:38:59,467 --> 00:39:01,667 speaks to the root of the animosity 747 00:39:01,667 --> 00:39:03,400 between Michael and the Prathers. 748 00:39:04,700 --> 00:39:08,000 [Lambe] Another incident with possible 749 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,367 racist motives for Hetle, it was a traffic stop, 750 00:39:10,367 --> 00:39:12,367 he stopped an Ethiopian woman. 751 00:39:12,367 --> 00:39:14,066 He received a written reprimand 752 00:39:14,066 --> 00:39:16,000 for racially profiling 753 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:19,166 a Ethiopian member of the community. 754 00:39:19,166 --> 00:39:21,266 [Burnham] According to his written complaint, 755 00:39:21,266 --> 00:39:25,667 it was stated that he had made several comments 756 00:39:25,667 --> 00:39:29,400 and was going to call immigration in regards to her. 757 00:39:30,066 --> 00:39:32,700 Hetle resigned in 2003. 758 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,000 [narrator] At trial, in a shocking twist, 759 00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:38,467 Michael's son, Cayden, 760 00:39:38,467 --> 00:39:42,166 confirms the terrible truth about his father. 761 00:39:42,166 --> 00:39:44,567 [Descano] Mr. Hetle's son very, very clearly 762 00:39:44,567 --> 00:39:47,000 and explicitly testified that Mr. Hetle 763 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:50,166 regularly used racially derogatory language 764 00:39:50,166 --> 00:39:51,266 towards Javon Prather. 765 00:39:51,266 --> 00:39:52,667 It definitely seemed like 766 00:39:52,667 --> 00:39:54,900 he was motivated by racial animus. 767 00:39:56,100 --> 00:39:57,266 [narrator] Cayden's testimony 768 00:39:57,266 --> 00:39:59,700 is almost enough to convince the jury, 769 00:39:59,700 --> 00:40:03,266 but one final piece of evidence seals the deal. 770 00:40:03,266 --> 00:40:05,367 Mr. Hetle, the morning of the incident, 771 00:40:05,367 --> 00:40:07,667 sent an email to the HOA. 772 00:40:07,667 --> 00:40:09,467 [Descano] He told the HOA that this situation 773 00:40:09,467 --> 00:40:11,667 could "result in tragedy." 774 00:40:11,667 --> 00:40:14,800 And, of course, we saw that tragedy play out 775 00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:16,000 just a few hours later 776 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:18,100 when he shot Mr. Prather seven times. 777 00:40:18,100 --> 00:40:20,734 [gunshots] 778 00:40:29,667 --> 00:40:32,467 [narrator] On January 8th, 2022, 779 00:40:32,467 --> 00:40:35,233 Michael Hetle is sentenced to life in prison. 780 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,900 He did try to get that forgiveness 781 00:40:37,900 --> 00:40:40,467 back from everyone and the judge. 782 00:40:40,467 --> 00:40:43,667 My mom knew everything he said was wrong. 783 00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:46,000 [narrator] Shortly after the tragedy, 784 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:49,767 both families move away from Bedstraw Court. 785 00:40:49,767 --> 00:40:52,867 The Homeowners Association and Janelle reach an agreement 786 00:40:52,867 --> 00:40:54,967 and their lawsuit is dropped. 787 00:40:54,967 --> 00:40:57,700 But it does nothing to soothe her heartbreak. 788 00:40:59,900 --> 00:41:02,066 After the passing of Javon, 789 00:41:02,066 --> 00:41:04,533 she just lost herself for a long time. 790 00:41:06,367 --> 00:41:08,500 She was really heartbroken. 791 00:41:08,500 --> 00:41:09,300 [narrator] Janelle and Amaya 792 00:41:09,300 --> 00:41:12,700 continue to honor Javon's memory. 793 00:41:12,700 --> 00:41:16,000 The one thing that if anyone could remember him by, 794 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:18,000 would be music. He loved it. 795 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:20,767 And to, like, express that to everyone else. 796 00:41:20,767 --> 00:41:25,400 He did create a lot of friends and people he called family. 797 00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:27,400 He was just very humble 798 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:28,600 and down to earth.