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Lawrence back in court over property violations
04/23/2009 6:45 PM by John M
Notorious owner of dilapidated property Oliver Lawrence is in court again, this time facing more than 30 new misdemeanor charges because of the condition of some of his properties (including 1300 North 38th Street and 1305 North 37th Street).
You own it you take care of it or sell it
Mr. Lawrence is over his head with the number of properties. Court watch members were in the court room. He said he had 500 properties and he was worth 90 million.
Well Mr. Dollar if are worth that much you need do something with these properties. I hope the City doesn’t back down from him.
Also, I would like to get as many people as we can to show up at his next hearing as Court Watch memebers.
“Hoarder” is a good description for Mr. Lawrence. At this point with a multitude of properties in Richmond and Petersburg it seems more of a disease than a business.
It’s sad to see so many salvageable properties in our neighborhoods deteriorating. I can understand holding on to property until the market turns. However,if you do not maintain them they lose any potential increase in value to the elements and overall brings down the value and moral of the neighborhood.
Richard, it might help to get people there as Court Watch folks if you gave the exact date and time to show up. Also, I’m curious – is Court Watch an actual organization? If so, are details available online or could you post them here? Thanks.
Richard,
What is a Court Watch member? Would it beneficial for people in these affected neighborhoods to attend? Thanks!
I live next door to an abandoned house that is boarded up and in ruins. Does anyone have any suggestions how to get this taken care of?
If it meets code and the owner is paying their taxes, it seems as if there is little that you can do other than perhaps find someone that will buy the property and fix it.
If there are code violations, contact the inspector for your area (map and phone numbers here) & get them involved. Also, come out to the monthly CAPS meeting, you’ll make good contact with the folks that deal with this kind of thing.
The Court Watch was mainly used for prostitution cases in sector 412. The judges really do listen when people show up. There is a court watch program for CAPS, when I was at the last CAPS meeting for 412 I brought it up. The next court date is 7/16/2009 at 1:30 John Marshall’s building.
We can eithe take a bus down or car pool. The line in the Northside is the best way to get downtown. On that date he has 18 charges to be heard.
I think it is important for as many people to show up as possible. We only have 4 houses in Battery Park of his. All vacant and all are in bad shape.
If you decide to go for Court Watch. You have to follow courtroom rules. No talking, no cellphones in the courthouse, no hats. Generally the judge will be notified we are the room. One judge once asked if he was speaking too low.
Usually a couple of people may be asked to speak to the judge when he is sentencing the person. Best to explain how the person behavior impacts your personal life.
My email is above if you have any further questions.
The house that Mr. Lawerence lives in Ashland VA is 7,436 sq ft, 14 room 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 25 acres and is valued at $1,136,000.
Of course he doesn’t have it in his name it is listed under Bayou Propties. He comes to court and cries that he is poor and the court believes him.
Slum lord is going to court on 5/21 for “Sexual Battery”. Nice man.
Thanks Richard – I added the date to my personal calendar and to the CHPN calendar.
He is poor, morally bankrupt but I am sure he has money