Damm!

I'm sure that all of us, at one time, have had "that neighbor"; the one who is so obsessive with his lawn that it becomes a worse addiction than gambling or drinking.  However, I doubt any of us has had a neighbor that was "charged with murder" for shooting someone for walking across his lawn.   If you read this story, you get the feeling that dude's obsession with his green thumb caused him to shoot this poor kid.   Me, I think he's just nuts.  No one in their right mind would do something as horrid as this.   A life is not worth keeping your yard pristine. I know you were taking matters into your own hands since you previously "told police he had several times had problems with neighbors walking" into your yard....why not build a fence???? Fence: good.  Shooting someone: bad.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

'I just killed a kid' Neighbor charged with shooting teen who walked on his grass

BATAVIA, Ohio (AP) -- A man who neighbors say was devoted to his meticulously kept lawn was charged with murder in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy who apparently walked across his yard.

Charles Martin called 911 on Sunday afternoon, saying calmly: "I just killed a kid."

Police, who released the call's contents, said Martin also told the dispatcher: "I've been harassed by him and his parents for five years. Today just blew it up." (Watch for the 911 call from the accused shooter -- 1:46)

Larry Mugrage, whose family lived next door, was shot in the chest with a shotgun. The high school freshman was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Martin, 66, allegedly told police he had several times had problems with neighbors walking on his lawn. He remained jailed without bond Monday. His jailers said no attorney was listed for him.

Neighbors said Martin lived alone quietly, often sitting in front of his one-story home with its neat lawn, well-trimmed shrubbery and flag pole with U.S. and Navy flags flying.

Joanne Ritchie, 46, said Mugrage was known as "a good kid." She said she always also considered Martin to be friendly.

Union Township is near Batavia,about 20 miles east of Cincinnati, Ohio.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/20/boy.shot.ap/index.html