Family Sues Sex Offender to Force Him to Buy Their Home

[The Straight Story]

Family Sues Sex Offender to Force Him to Buy Their Home
Pennsylvania couple claims their house won't sell because of neighbor who abused their daughter.

Transcript for Family Sues Sex Offender to Force Him to Buy Their Home

In the first lawsuit of its kind a Pennsylvania family wants a man who sexually assaulted their daughter to pay -- hefty price. He's already paid his debt to society but they want them to buy their house Oliver Larry back moved back into his old home just blocks away from the victim's family after serving his two year prison sentenced. The family wants to move -- -- from back but think they'll have trouble selling their house.

So they want back his wife and his mother to buy the property in Lehigh county Pennsylvania. That they say is worth 235000. Dollars

Video here:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/family-sues-sex-offender-force-buy-home-18757850

[dkf]

1. No you can't force a guys mother to pay his penalties.

[unblock]

2. my knee-jerk reaction is yeah, that would be justice, but actually it's completely unworkable.

real estate is chock full of examples of actions or inactions changing the value of nearby properties.

obviously this criminal did tremendous harm to the daughter and family, but in terms of what they're actually suing about -- damage to their property value -- they are not really any different from any of their neighbors who now also have property near a sex offender. you can't make him buy up the entire neighborhood.

note in particular that the damage to their property value stems from his decision to reside nearby (property values in theory should return to 'normal' if the criminal were to leave), which is legal; not his earlier criminal act. had the damage stemmed from the criminal act, then there would be a reasonable case.

[Orrex]

3. Wouldn't he have to buy all of the properties within a certain radius, then?

If their argument is that his presence will prevent the sale of their own property due to reasonable proximity, wouldn't the same argument apply to everyone else who lives in the neighborhood?

Not saying that their claim is without merit, but it does raise some potential issues.

[snooper2]

4. talk about a stupid lawsuit

And is this sex offender's last name back or something? Who wrote this a 12 year old?

[Fix The Stupid]

6. Thank you - that was a disgrace. n/t

[yellowcanine]

5. "So they want back his wife and his mother to buy the property..." WTF?

This story is written so sloppily it makes no sense.

[leftyohiolib]

7. but THINK they'll have trouble selling - they havent tried to sell it yet?

maybe they ought to try to sell it 1st

[condoleeza]

8. Ironic that you have to watch a Viagra ad before you see the story n/t

[KidsAdvoc21]

9. Lets add some FACTs to the story

FACT:
Beck spent LESS than THREE MONTHS in prison...he was let out early for "good behavior in prison" (where there are no kids to molest)
The victims property USED TO BELONG to the Beck Homestead (farmland)
The victims only access to their property is via a "right of way" on the BECK property (owned by the mother Beck)
The victims live on BECK RD. (imagine repeatedly writing the name of your assailant as your address...when does the healing begin?)
EVERY side of the victim's property touches Beck property (over 68 acres of Beck property)
Beck has violated parole by possessing weapons, see public record gagnon II hearing. How can he be trusted if he keeps breaking the rules?
Buying this property for more than current value would give the Becks back their property, and the overpayment is called DAMAGES.
When else do you get sued and YOU get something back? A tax write-off, an investment property, or if he has trouble selling or renting, he can leave for his children after his death....it is an ASSET.
This family is simply looking for a way to escape his daily presence so the child, her siblings and the parents can move on. Personally, I think many of us in this community are just hoping they get enough damages so they can sell the house cheap and fast and can still afford to purchase a comparable home....Beck doesnt deserve to have this property back.
AS for the attorneys that claim the home purchase would be cruel and unusual punishment...What the hell do you think happened to that family when the perp spent only 3 months in jail and returned to surround them with his presence (He farms and hunts and target shoots on his properties).

[LAGC]

10. Welcome to DU!

That's an awful lot of interesting information.

Do you happen to have any sources to back all that up?

Why'd he only get 3 months in jail? Must have not been a very strong case against him?