Couple claim hope for 'peace' in Boulder land grab case

Daily Camera ^ | December 24, 2007 | Heath Urie

[george76]

The Boulder couple who successfully sued for part of their neighbors' land mailed a letter this week to "those who have supported us," saying they hoped to restore peace in their neighborhood.

Richard McLean and Edith Stevens, plaintiffs in the controversial adverse-possession case against Don and Susie Kirlin, spelled out their side of the story in the four-page letter -- obtained by the Camera from a recipient who wished to remain anonymous.

"We still hope that we can reconcile our differences with the Kirlins and restore peace in our neighborhood and community," McLean and Stevens wrote.

Contacted at her home on Hardscrabble Drive, Stevens said the letter was meant as a private communication with friends. She objected to the Camera publishing its contents,citing the ongoing legal case.

The Kirlins say they plan to appeal a Boulder judge's October ruling that McLean and Stevens should be awarded about a third of one of the Kirlins' two vacant lots next door. McLean and Stevens used the legal doctrine of adverse possession to successfully claim they cared more for the land than its owners did.

Susie Kirlin said Saturday that she disagrees with nearly all the points made in the letter.

"This is obviously an attempt to justify taking their neighbors' land," Susie Kirlin said. "We obviously disagree with many, if not all, of their misrepresentations. The bottom line is they took something that didn't belong to them, got caught, and are now trying to justify their behavior."

Since the story became public, McLean and Stevens have become the targets of protesters and others who think the couple used their legal knowledge to steal a prime piece of real estate...

[pray4liberty]

Here's the link to the article and comments.

[editor-surveyor]

"None of it changes my original impression of theft under colour of law."

You are attacking the very foundation of the legal profession!