Fence Face Off

Summary

Fear Thy Neighbor – "Fence Face Off" (Aug 3, 2026)

Podcast: Fear Thy Neighbor
Episode: Fence Face Off
Host/Network: ID
Date: August 3, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This chilling episode of Fear Thy Neighbor delves into a real-life story of friendly ties turned toxic between two long-standing Greenwood, Indiana neighbors, the Kellers and Nancy Phillips. When Nancy takes in a new tenant, Jeff Weigel, seemingly minor disputes—over dogs, property lines, and fences—escalate into controlling behaviors, weapons drawn, and eventually a violent shootout, all caught on surveillance video. The episode captures the progression from rural neighborliness to a near-fatal confrontation, showing just how quickly the everyday can spiral into horror.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Community and Legacy

• Greenwood’s Rural Life: The Kellers and Phillips families have deep roots in the Lovett area, living as neighbors for over two decades.
• Legacy and Connection: Multiple generations attend the same local school and are deeply integrated in the local community.
  • "My kids are the fourth generation to go to the school that is right around the corner. You could say we have some roots." – Lisa Keller [03:35]

2. Nancy’s Vulnerability and Jeff’s Arrival

• Nancy Phillips’ Husband Passes: Life alone becomes difficult for Nancy; she invites her old friend Jeff Weigel to move in and help.
• Initial Harmony: At first, Jeff is helpful, fixing issues around the property and seemingly fitting in.

3. Tension Emerges: Culture Clash and Control

• Dog Issues & Different Backgrounds: Rural dog-walking norms clash with Jeff’s city expectations.
  • Jeff's discomfort with off-leash dogs and military culture (Dean is ex-Air Force) starts simmering.
  • "I'm more of a peacenik." – Jeff Weigel [07:42]
• Control & Isolation: Jeff quickly becomes controlling of Nancy and her interactions, both with family and neighbors.
  • "Once Jeff moved in, he kind of pushed everybody away. It just kind of changed the whole dynamic of the relationship..." – Lisa Shipe [09:02]

4. Escalations Over Dogs and Fences

• Dog Confrontations: Series of altercations involving the Kellers' and Nancy's dogs, culminating with Jeff pulling a knife on Dean and a dog bite incident.
  • "He just kind of went ballistic and pulled the knife. Really scary. I'd never ever seen anybody pull a knife in my whole life." – Lisa Shipe [11:24]
• Dog Quarantine: After a confrontation, authorities require the Kellers’ dog to be quarantined; Jeff is unsatisfied and increasingly antagonistic.
• Fencing as a Flashpoint: Dean decides to replace a fence to keep the dogs apart, igniting further accusations and confrontations.
  • "I want to build a chain link fence along our property line so we can go back to being good neighbors." – Dean Keller [14:12]

5. Violent Physical Encounters

• Knife Attack: During another dispute, Jeff stabs Dean in the arm; both are treated as suspects due to conflicting stories and lack of evidence.
  • "I grabbed the arm that has the hand with the knife in it and he stabs me. It went to the bone in my right arm." – Dean Keller [17:31]
• Escalated Fear: Nancy fires a firearm into the air after further confrontations about the dog, increasing the fear and sense of danger.

6. Cycle of Retaliation and Police Frustration

• Ongoing Harassment: Jeff and Dean repeatedly clash over the fence; video evidence becomes crucial as each parties’ accusations mount.
• "We'll have the irrefutable video that we need." – Lisa Keller [31:01]
• Security Measures: Police recommend installing surveillance cameras. Both families feel powerless as authorities can only act after violence, not before.

7. The Climax: Gunfire at the Fence

• The Final Confrontation: On June 27, 2017, after repeated altercations, Jeff brandishes a revolver; Dean returns fire using his own weapon. Over 15 shots are exchanged.
  • Notable moment: "I draw my weapon. I hit him with the first shot. I fired 11 rounds total. He's fallen off the lawnmower." – Lisa Keller [36:34]
  • Jeff is hit four times in the chest but survives.
  • "Anybody who could take four bullets to the chest and survive is very lucky." – Dean Keller [39:02]

8. Aftermath and Justice

• Video Evidence Prevails: Security footage shows Jeff drew first, leading to him being charged with criminal recklessness. Dean is cleared of charges.
  • "It's clear on the tape you can see Jeffrey lift and hold a firearm." – Lisa Keller [38:48]
• Community and Personal Recovery: The neighbors slowly reclaim their peace, but trauma and tensions remain. Jeff, after release, briefly returns but soon moves away following Nancy’s health decline.

9. Reflections and Takeaways

• The episode raises issues about escalation, the inadequacy of the law to prevent violence, and the vulnerabilities created by isolation and manipulation.
  • "Imagine constantly having to live on edge in your own home." – Lisa Shipe [35:03]
  • "It was a turning point for me. Hopefully it'll be a turning point for him." – Lisa Keller [40:37]
• While nobody died, the peace and innocence of this rural community are forever changed.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers... yet some of the most shocking conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors..." – Narrator [01:55]
• "I felt like we wasted them [police] coming out to our house. It got very frustrating." – Lisa Keller [30:24]
• "Is there nothing you can do? ...The smart thing—install a security camera." – Dean Keller/Police Officer [30:37]
• "I told him not to. Don't shoot me." – Lisa Keller [36:29]
• "Anybody who could take four bullets to the chest and survive is very lucky." – Dean Keller [39:02]
• "I guess we get to take heart that no one died." – Dean Keller [40:51]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |---------|-------------|-----------| | Introduction to Greenwood | Context and community | 01:55 – 04:15 | | Jeff moves in | Nancy's decision & initial harmony | 04:37 – 06:39 | | Culture clash & control | Jeff’s discomfort and behavior changes | 06:59 – 09:57 | | Beginning of disputes | Dogs and property boundaries | 10:03 – 12:27 | | First police involvement | Knife incident & consequences | 11:06 – 13:01 | | Fence face-off begins | Fence replacement and escalation | 14:02 – 16:41 | | Physical altercation | Knife attack leaves Dean wounded | 17:08 – 18:01 | | Police frustration & cycle | Authorities unable to resolve | 23:03 – 24:43 | | Surveillance escalation | Video evidence recordings begin | 24:43 – 31:11 | | Gun confrontation | The shootout caught on camera | 35:25 – 37:07 | | Aftermath & resolution | Charges, healing, and reflection | 39:02 – 40:51 |

---

Conclusion

Fence Face Off stands as a harrowing true crime tale of how misunderstandings, pride, and the inability to deescalate can transform petty disputes into life-or-death situations. Anchored in small-town reality and driven by candid first-person testimonies, this episode is a sobering reminder of the neighborly line that, once crossed, may never be repaired.

---

Transcript

[Narrator]

Hey true crime fans, it's Janiece from I D. If you're a fan of this podcast, it would mean a lot if you could leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps the show. Thanks and enjoy the episode.

[Walden University Sponsor]

This message is brought to you by today's sponsor, Walden University Set a Course for Change now is the time to make a real change in your life, career and community. At Walden University, we give you the support and flexibility to get the wisdom. Walden's online programs are designed for working professionals like you. You'll gain hands on skills to take on real world challenges and succeed. Your future is waiting and Walden is here to help you achieve it. Take the first step to make your impact. Visit waldenu. Edu Walden University Set a Course for Change Certified to operate by Chev hi,

[Danny Pellegrino]

it's Danny Pellegrino from Everything Iconic. As summer fades, your home deserves a reset too. So swap in warmer, richer scents, brown butter, toasted spices, ripe orchard fruits and let Pura fill every room automatically. Save 20% on every PURA fragrance subscription and fall in love with your home and the convenience of a monthly scent delivery. This year, scenting for fall is easier than ever. Head to pura.com to get started.

[Bill.com Sponsor]

98 of the top 100 US accounting firms trust bill to handle bill pay processes 1 why? Because our tools are built on over a trillion dollars of secure payments. We're not just moving money, we're powering financial workflows for half a million customers. That's a level of expertise you just can't fake. Ready to talk with an expert? Visit bill.comproven to get started and grab a $150 gift card as a thank you. Terms and conditions apply. See Offer page for details.

[Narrator]

Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters, or crimes of passion. Yet some of the most shocking conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors in ordinary neighborhoods. What makes a good neighbor go bad? We may never truly know, but heed this warning about the terrible things that can happen when even the pettiest disagreements pass the point of no return. Today we're in the Hoosier State, in a rural hamlet where long established families appreciate their good fortune every day. One such family enjoys a friendly two decade relationship with their nearest neighbor. The dynamic changes for one woman when her husband dies and she takes in an old friend for help and company. The clash between the new tenant and the friends next door erupts quickly, culminating in slurs, threats and bursts of violence. Both sides Dread a tragic ending which comes to pass in a flurry of bullets that in all its horror is caught on camera. This is fear thy neighbor Fence Face Off. As reporter Vic Rickert tells it, residents of Greenwood, Indiana, get to reside in the best of both worlds.

[Dean Keller]

You can live in a rural sort of country area, but still being 5, 10, 15 minutes from the city.

[Narrator]

Dean and Lisa Keller were both born and raised here in Lovett. Their respective families have a rich history in the region. Here's the couple in their own words.

[Lisa Keller]

My kids are the fourth generation to go to the school that is right around the corner. You could say we have some roots.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Generations of families have lived in the area for long periods of time. My in laws live just south of my house in the house that they built and have lived in since they were married. We know our neighbors, our neighbors know us. We know everybody in the community.

[Narrator]

Dean and Lisa both work in town. He's a firefighter, she's an attorney. Their teenage children are Andrew and Shelby. Next door is their neighbor of over 20 years, Nancy Phillips. She and her late husband originally bought their land from Dean's uncle.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Nancy's property. And the property that we own used to be connected as one. She was friendly and we didn't have any issues with her.

[Lisa Keller]

Nancy has two daughters, dawn and Debbie. We get along with them really well.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Her daughters came and her grandkids came out and, you know, they enjoyed playing out there like we did when we were kids.

[Narrator]

We just heard from Dean Keller's sister, Lisa Ship, who lives nearby. She describes how life alone was getting harder for Nancy as she entered her

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

70s as a single woman living out where we live with three acres of ground to mow. That would be a lot to take on as a widowed female.

[Narrator]

So Nancy comes up with the perfect solution. She invites her old friend Jeff Weigel to rent a room in her house.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He and Nancy and Nancy's husband all work together, but when her husband passed away, then he moved out there and started renting from her to help with expenses and workload. It was a reasonable place for him to stay, so it worked out for both of them.

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey Weigle is a very active guy because you could tell in the way he walked. He seemed to have just a bunch of energy. He's kind of a person who gets by on his own resources, his own strength, his own two hands.

[Nancy Phillips]

Hey, Lisa, Dean, come meet ya.

[Lisa Keller]

When I first met Jeff, he was just helping out. He was Nancy's new border and we went to talk to him. It was welcome to the Neighborhood.

[Dean Keller]

Yeah.

[Jeff Weigel]

I hear you're a firefighter. That's pretty impressive.

[Dean Keller]

Hey, I'm impressed by anybody who cuts their own wood.

[Jeff Weigel]

Probably half as fast as you can because of the arm.

[Dean Keller]

You know, he had something wrong with one of his arms. That happened at work. He was on some kind of disability for this. It hindered some of the things he could do physically.

[Lisa Keller]

Just seemed like he had a hard life.

[Jeff Weigel]

I promised her I'd help out, and

[Dean Keller]

so here I am.

We'll see. Eladia.

[Jeff Weigel]

Well, we probably will. Yes.

[Dean Keller]

Can't see too much of a good neighbor.

[Nancy Phillips]

Nice to meet you, Jeff.

[Jeff Weigel]

You too.

[Nancy Phillips]

Let us know if you need anything. Okay.

[Jeff Weigel]

Thank you. Take care, guys.

[Police Officer]

Bye.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I wouldn't say they were best friends, but they could count on each other if things were needed.

[Nancy Phillips]

It's nice to see Nancy with a friend. Yeah, she was lonely on her own.

[Lisa Keller]

Initially. I thought it was going to be

[Narrator]

good in the beginning. Jeff is true to his word and does a good job maintaining Nancy's property.

[Dean Keller]

He would take care of the chores around the house, fixing whatever was broken and that sort of stuff. And I take it he was very good at that sort of thing, too. And it was clear that, you know, she was a big supporter of everything Jeffrey did.

[Narrator]

Then one day, Dean unknowingly makes his new neighbor uncomfortable when training his dog.

[Jeff Weigel]

Rocky, you training an attack dog?

[Dean Keller]

What are you talking about?

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

We had a German shepherd puppy. He was a very friendly dog. Everybody liked that dog.

[Dean Keller]

We're doing obedience training. We're off leash around here.

[Jeff Weigel]

Off leash?

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

People in the country don't really put their dogs on leashes. He was not from the country. I don't think he ever lived in the country before he lived out there.

[Narrator]

The dog isn't the only thing that catches Jeff's attention. Dean wears a uniform.

[Jeff Weigel]

Are you in the military?

[Dean Keller]

Part time.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

We're retired out of the Air Force reserve. And we typically did not come and go from the property in our uniforms. But one night after drill, Dean came home in uniform.

[Jeff Weigel]

I'm more of a peacenik.

[Danny Pellegrino]

Huh.

[Lisa Keller]

He told me one time that he was a peace loving hippie.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He had protested the war.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hope you don't have a problem with that.

[Nancy Phillips]

Not in the least.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I told him, I'm like, you know, that's fine. I choose to serve. That's my choice. You chose not to. That's your choice. You don't have to like it.

[Dean Keller]

It's pretty clear that Dean and Jeffrey came from two different worlds.

[Lisa Keller]

He just seemed like somebody who's just kind of bitter.

[Narrator]

At life things next get a little testy when the Kellers witness an unsettling conversation between Nancy and her tenant.

[Dean Keller]

Nancy, wait.

[Narrator]

I'm going to see the girls.

[Nancy Phillips]

I'll drive on my own.

[Jeff Weigel]

No, no, it's too far into town. It's too dangerous.

[Nancy Phillips]

Dangerous how?

[Jeff Weigel]

Get in the car.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Whenever she wanted to go somewhere, Jeffrey made sure he was with her.

[Lisa Keller]

It was bizarre behavior. There was no point in it.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He became more controlling with her. Nancy would not stand up to Jeff when that was going on.

It just raised some questions about his character.

[Narrator]

For his part, Jeff doesn't appreciate having an audience.

[Jeff Weigel]

What are you looking at?

[Lisa Keller]

There are people that you just don't click with. I understand that. But those are the people you just try to stay away from. Unfortunately, I learned that a little bit later.

[Narrator]

Dean's sister, Lisa Shipe, also notices Jeff's influence.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Once Jeff moved in, he kind of pushed everybody away. It just kind of changed the whole dynamic of the relationship with Nancy. He didn't want anybody on the property.

[Narrator]

And that goes for dogs, too. Especially when Jeff discovers Rocky has done his business on their side of the line.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hey, great job training your dog.

[Dean Keller]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Jeff Weigel]

It means this belongs to you.

[Lisa Keller]

He believed we had trained our dog to go onto their property, to use their property, as opposed to leaving a mess on our property.

[Jeff Weigel]

Look, your dog is on my lawn all the time. I don't want them over here.

[Narrator]

The irony is that Nancy also has a dog, a small one that regularly wanders over to the Kellers.

[Dean Keller]

Dogs roam all over the place. Even Nancy's dog.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

It was common for the dogs to roam about. Just wasn't a big deal. It didn't have to be a big deal.

[Dean Keller]

Dogs have never been a problem.

[Jeff Weigel]

Well, they're a problem now. Okay. Your guard dog scares the hell out of me.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

It seems like the German shepherd kind of amped that up because that went along with that anti military, anti uniform thing that always set him off.

[Dean Keller]

Nancy, are you okay with this?

[Nancy Phillips]

Well, he'd prefer not to have your dogs over here, which makes sense.

[Lisa Keller]

It was just him trying to exert control. It seemed like he wanted to be her mouthpiece. She would just think that everything he said was the gospel.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Her daughters didn't come around. Her grandkids no longer came around. He had managed to pretty much isolate her from everybody. He really became in control of everything that went on around that property.

[Narrator]

The Kellers try their best to keep their distance from Jeff, but their canine has other plans.

[Lisa Keller]

My sister is visiting. Jeff is Walking down the road. I've got a hold of that dog.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Rocky did not like Jeff. Didn't matter if Jeff was just out on the porch. If Jeff was anywhere outside his house, Rocky would bark.

[Narrator]

Suddenly, their pet gets free and makes a beeline for the neighbor.

[Jeff Weigel]

Back off.

[Police Officer]

Help.

[Jeff Weigel]

He just hit me.

[Narrator]

As Rocky approaches, Jeff has a shocking but seemingly knee jerk reaction. With Rocky charging towards him, Jeff escalates the encounter by flashing a knife.

[Dean Keller]

Hey, what are you crazy?

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He just kind of went ballistic and pulled the knife. Really scary. I'd never ever seen anybody pull a knife in my whole life.

[Jeff Weigel]

Back off. Back off.

[Lisa Keller]

He has a pocket knife pulled. It's like you can put the knife with.

[Jeff Weigel]

Whoa.

[Dean Keller]

What are you doing?

[Lisa Keller]

I know it's not right that my dog's off my property, but there's no need to cause it harm. We got kids out here. I'm just trying to get this de escalated.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

My brother got his dog, and we thought Jeff was okay. He wasn't bleeding. We didn't see any injuries. And then Jeff called the authorities.

[Narrator]

Police arrive and question both sides. Dean's sister contends that Jeff exaggerated the incident.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The dog jumped on him when it ran out and it scratched him, but there were no bite marks.

[Narrator]

Police can't verify if Jeff was bitten, but the scratches are enough to warrant consequences. There are abrasions on Mr. Weigel's leg, so you're gonna have to quarantine your dog.

[Dean Keller]

You can't be serious.

[Lisa Keller]

Which means that the dog had to be inside.

[Narrator]

No, I'm serious.

[Lisa Keller]

Or if it was outside, to use a leash, which was just kind of weird.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, the officer cautions all parties to stay on their respective properties. Reporter Vic Rickert recounts that Jeff Weigel wasn't satisfied.

[Jeff Weigel]

Come on. He's more worried about his dogs than he is about me.

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey believed that the Kellers didn't act quickly to pull the dog off of him. So he was very angry about that.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

It was just hard to understand because we hadn't dealt with somebody like that in our area before.

[Narrator]

Weeks later, the dog quarantine ends, but Jeff Weigel's fear of the Keller's pet remains.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hey, I would appreciate it if you keep your dog on a leash.

[Dean Keller]

Why leash?

[Jeff Weigel]

Because he bit me once, he could bite me again.

[Lisa Keller]

I didn't understand what his thought process was. If you're afraid of the dog, then step back into your house.

[Dean Keller]

Yeah, I'll stop. I follow the letter of the law, but you cannot dictate what I do on my own property. That's absurd.

[Jeff Weigel]

Fine. I'll just have to figure out a way to keep your dog off our property.

[Dean Keller]

Our property?

[Lisa Keller]

It seemed like he was always trying to get me to react.

[Dean Keller]

Let's go, boy.

[Jeff Weigel]

Come on.

[Dean Keller]

Grab your ball. Let's go.

[Narrator]

Lisa Keller is mystified by what she sees as Jeff's relentless antagonism.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

This person who hated us for whatever reason, controlled a lot of what we did and how we did it, and that's a horrible way to live. He rented a room. He didn't own that property. Jeff didn't own anything.

[Narrator]

Since Nancy's tenant isn't leaving anytime soon, Dean comes up with a way to secure both properties.

[Dean Keller]

Hello, Nancy.

[Jeff Weigel]

Oh, hey.

[Nancy Phillips]

What can I do for you?

[Dean Keller]

I want to build a chain link fence along our property line so we can go back to being good neighbors.

[Lisa Keller]

I talked to Nancy and she said, yeah, that was fine.

[Dean Keller]

Dean decides he's going to take out a fence, an old fence, and replace it. Put in a new fence so that the dogs could stay in their particular yards and not get into the neighbor's yards.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hey. What the hell are you doing putting

[Dean Keller]

in a new fence?

[Jeff Weigel]

Who told you you could take the old one out?

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey believed that that fence was theirs and that Dean had no right to remove it.

First of all, it's not your fence. It's our land. It's our fence. Secondly, Nancy said it was okay, but

[Jeff Weigel]

you didn't okay it with me.

[Lisa Keller]

I knew it was our fence. It was just Jeff being Jeff for now.

[Narrator]

There's nothing Jeff can do. But Dean knows that won't be the case for long.

[Lisa Keller]

It's like the kid that if you're gonna ignore me, then I'll do something until you pay attention to me.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Our daughter is sitting out there watching videotaping in case there's a problem. And Jeff comes out while Dean is putting this fence up and sits his chair down.

[Jeff Weigel]

I see. You brought out your guard dog to threaten me, huh?

[Dean Keller]

No one's threatening you. He's on our property.

[Jeff Weigel]

Well, this ought to keep him there.

[Lisa Keller]

He started lighting firecrackers and antagonizing the dog.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The dog was growling and barking and wanted to get across property line.

[Jeff Weigel]

Stop.

[Dean Keller]

What are you doing? Someone's gonna get hurt.

[Jeff Weigel]

I'm on my property. I could do whatever I want. Hey, you gonna step on my property?

[Lisa Keller]

I think he was trying to lure me onto their property so then he could be justified to doing some action.

[Jeff Weigel]

Are you gonna step on my property?

[Lisa Keller]

So I'm like, probably just ought to step back. Things were getting said that we're going to possibly, you know, not be able to be unsaid.

[Dean Keller]

These two would do this daily, anytime they saw each other. There'd be something that one side would do to make the other side angry. You have to wonder about the pent up anger and frustration both sides must have been feeling.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I never did understand the whole fence thing. I didn't understand why it upset Jeffrey.

[Lisa Keller]

We had paid for all the materials, had done all the labor, so it was clearly ours.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I mean, a fence was, had been there before, so it was just replacing an old fence with a new fence. So I never understood why he got so angry.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, Nancy Phillips remains grateful for Jeff's presence and according to Lisa, is oblivious to the stress he's causing her longtime friendly neighbors.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I don't know why she didn't ask him to leave. She would always say we just didn't understand. She always told us she was in control of him.

[Narrator]

The fence succeeds in keeping a safe distance between the two men, but until completed, it doesn't cover every inch of the property line.

[Lisa Keller]

Jeff walked to the end of the fence.

[Dean Keller]

Dean's German shepherd gets out and races towards Jeffrey. Jeffrey is trying to defend himself from the dog.

[Lisa Keller]

I go to get the dog and he makes a move towards me.

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey pulls a knife and these two were wrestling around on the ground. This was dangerous.

[Lisa Keller]

I grabbed the arm that has the hand with the knife in it and he stabs me. It went to the bone in my right arm.

[Jeff Weigel]

Call 91 1.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I got a call at work from our son Andrew, crying, telling me that Jeff had stabbed Dean. You just don't mentally prepare yourself for a phone call that says the neighbors actually stabbed her spouse.

[Kohler Sponsor]

Think of a toilet as just an everyday object. Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler Smart toilet. Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls. These are functional works of art. Stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart toilets. Find [e-mail] thank you for calling the Bombas comfort line.

[Bombas Sponsor]

Bombas make socks, slippers, tees and underwear made with the highest quality materials. Press 1 for comfort, 2 for style, 3 for donation. You chose style. Bombas is styles for whatever you enjoy. You can run in Bombas, lounge in Bombas, dress them up, dress them down, but always give back in Bombas because with every item purchased, another is donated. Bombas comfort worth calling for, go to bombas.com audio and use code audio for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O-M-B-A-S.com and use code audio.

[Kohler Sponsor]

Instacart makes grocery shopping easier, and just because you're not doing the shopping yourself doesn't mean you don't care how it's done. With Instacart Shopper notes, you can get particular about what you want right in the app. Like rotisserie chicken that's extra crispy steak with marbling the Romans would have loved, and lettuce you'd actually pick yourself. Just leave a note for your shopper so that they can get it right for you without having to ask. That way you can get groceries just how you like. Download the Instacart app and shop today.

[Nancy Phillips]

There's never been a better time to get outside and experience the benefits of nature, discover nearby trails and explore. Explore the outdoors with alltrails. Download the free app today and find your outside.

[Narrator]

In Greenwood, Indiana, Dean and Lisa Keller are clashing with their longtime neighbor's tenant, Jeff Weigel. In their latest confrontation, Jeff has stabbed Dean in the arm, claiming self defense from being bitten by the Keller's dog.

[Jeff Weigel]

Look at this. That's the second time the dog bit me.

[Dean Keller]

Only this time he helped reporter Vic

[Narrator]

Rickert, Dean Keller and Lisa Keller pick up the story from when law enforcement

[Dean Keller]

arrives, Jeffrey tells the officers that Dean was actually holding him to the ground and letting his dog bite him.

Look, my dog didn't bite him.

[Narrator]

There's a bite mark on his hand.

[Dean Keller]

Yeah, I did that.

[Lisa Keller]

I know it doesn't sound very manly, but I was the one who bit him.

[Dean Keller]

Look, he stabbed me, okay? I would like to go to the hospital if you don't mind.

They just couldn't determine who really was at fault here. It doesn't matter at this point whether the dog bit Jeffrey or Dean bit Jeffrey. Police see the wounds on both men and they get the medical attention, then take both of them to the Johnson County Jail.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The dog was considered a weapon. The knife was considered a weapon, so everybody was going to be charged.

[Narrator]

Both men are charged with battery, but Dean is released the same day after Lisa posts bail.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Jeff couldn't get his bail posted, so he was going to spend a few nights in jail.

[Lisa Keller]

That was the only time I'd ever been arrested. At that point in your life, that shouldn't be happening to you.

[Narrator]

While the Kellers should feel relieved to have a few peaceful days without Jeff Weigel, the violence has left everyone spiraling.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The kids were home when the stabbing happened, so now I've got to deal with them being traumatized by that and a new reality that it's going to be word on word and we're going to look just as guilty as he does.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, Jeff's absence leaves Nancy Phillips feeling vulnerable. Here's Dean's sister, Lisa Scheippe, to explain.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He really got in Nancy's head, and Jeffrey convinced her that she needed him there, that everybody was out to get them and everybody was against them. Them.

[Narrator]

So when Dean and Lisa's dog next gets overly excited at the fence line, Nancy takes extreme measures.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

She panicked about the dog.

[Lisa Keller]

She went and got a pistol and fired it up into the air.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Where we live, people shoot all the time. So the gun, that didn't disturb me at all. What bothered me was the fact that we have kids out in the yard and what goes up has to come down.

[Lisa Keller]

We call the cops again, and she tells the cops that she wasn't sure how to unload the firearm, so she fired the firearm into the air so there were no consequences.

[Narrator]

The rising tension leaves Dean and Lisa terrified about what might happen next.

[Nancy Phillips]

I'm not sure staying is worth it.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

You knew something was going to give.

[Nancy Phillips]

Well, I can't live like this.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

And that's probably the worst part as a parent, because is it going to be you, your husband, or your kids? Somebody's going to get hurt, and there's nothing you can do because the law doesn't make it illegal until the action has taken place.

[Narrator]

The Keller's anxiety spikes when Jeff is released from custody.

[Dean Keller]

The prosecutors looked at the case and eventually dropped the charge.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Dean and Lisa were hoping that that week that he was in jail was time that she could use to get him out.

[Narrator]

But Nancy welcomes Jeff home with open arms.

[Nancy Phillips]

Hey, you hungry? I made you dinner.

[Jeff Weigel]

I am starved.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

And I remember thinking, here we go again. What's going to happen now? I even appealed to Nancy at one point in time and just said, you know, I'll pay you rent. And she said, well, I need him.

[Dean Keller]

He's never leaving, ever.

[Nancy Phillips]

I feel like I'm in a nightmare.

[Narrator]

When Jeff hears about the latest incident with Rocky, he takes matters into his own hands and becomes laser focused on a small gap where the Keller's new fence ends and Nancy's old fence begins. He closes it up with wire mesh.

[Dean Keller]

Wanted to keep this space between the two fences small enough so that the Keller's dog couldn't run through the fences.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The gap wasn't large enough for Rocky to get through. And Jeff had no business being at the fence.

[Lisa Keller]

I told him, this is not your fence. Please don't attach anything to it. If you do, I will remove it.

[Narrator]

But Jeff is relentless in his pursuit.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I think at one point, it just became a point where he could further irritate my brother. Jeffrey would go out and attach it, and Dean would get the wire cutters, and Dean would cut it off.

[Narrator]

Dean starts capturing these interactions on video using his phone.

[Lisa Keller]

We had been told by the deputies that we need to videotape these instances if we can, because otherwise it was a he said versus he said. So I've got my phone out, and I'm recording this.

[Narrator]

This is the actual audio from one of their conflicts.

[Dean Keller]

If you attach anything to this fence right here, the chain link fence is

[Lisa Keller]

mine, and I will remove it.

[Jeff Weigel]

For our safety, we will continue to keep this locked. And each time you take it apart, we will call the police.

[Lisa Keller]

Okay, so this is my fence. Is that what you're saying?

[Jeff Weigel]

We don't want you over here.

[Liv Perez]

Get back.

[Bill.com Sponsor]

What?

[Jeff Weigel]

Get out of my face. You stick your foot over here one more time or try to hurt me, I'm gonna pull you over that fence.

[Dean Keller]

Dean felt.

[Jeff Weigel]

You hear me?

[Dean Keller]

This was his felt. And by God, keep your fence away from my fence.

[Narrator]

Lisa Schipes says that all the while, Jeff's hold on Nancy tightens.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I think Jeffrey told her, you know, that she wouldn't be able to do it alone, that she needed him out there, and that everyone around them hated them. And, you know, that wasn't true. We didn't hate Nancy. Actually, I really felt sorry for Nancy.

[Lisa Keller]

Jeff had a lot more access to Nancy where I would be able to talk to her in snippets. So, I mean, he got to control the narrative majority of the time by a large amount.

[Narrator]

Tension continues to simmer between Dean Keller and Jeff Weigel.

[Dean Keller]

These two were always close to blows. It wouldn't take much for either side to throw a punch.

[Narrator]

And when they next meet at the gap in the fence, that's exactly what happens.

[Jeff Weigel]

Foreign.

[Liv Perez]

This is Liv Perez from let's Get Dressed. And one thing fashion has taught me is that the smallest details are often what makes something feel truly special. The weight of a fabric, the click of a clasp, or the way a beautifully tailored piece moves. Lexus approaches craftsmanship the exact same way their master craftsman, called Takumi, evaluate sensory details like the sound of a door closing, the click of a switch, and the acoustic feedback of the controls. They use human perception and intuition to create what feels right. And that's engineering to be felt. Because a car that doesn't make you feel something is a car that stops short of amazing experience. Amazing. At your Lexus dealer,

[ADT Sponsor]

One second you're enjoying your day off, the next your phone buzzes, a window has been broken at home, you're miles away. In one second, everything can change. That's why ADT's security systems can monitor your home 24 7. They're backed by the most company operated monitoring centers in the industry, so you're always supported during an emergency. When every second counts. Count on ADT. Visit ADT.com to learn more.

[Police Officer]

Hi, this is Brooke Devard from Naked Beauty. I am always looking for ways to elevate our daily rituals. And the Kohler Smart toilet is proof that design changes everything. It's the same stunning sculptural piece that feels like quiet luxury for your bathroom. It totally transforms your daily ritual into something elevated with customizable cleansing and touchscreen controls. It's functional art that makes your space feel cleaner and more intentional. A modern home deserves a modern toilet experience the difference of Kohler Smart toilets. Find [e-mail].

[Nancy Phillips]

When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place. So nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator]

Jeff has reached his breaking point. He decides to give Dean a piece of his mind.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hey, what are you doing? She's at it again.

[Dean Keller]

Neither side could let the other side alone.

[Jeff Weigel]

Back off, huh?

[Narrator]

Jeff reigns, blows down on Dean.

[Lisa Keller]

He had hit me a couple times in the back of the head. I wanted to go over the fence, but I knew that I shouldn't and I didn't.

[Narrator]

Instead, Dean stays on his side and cracks his neighbor with a piece of fence post.

[Jeff Weigel]

You back off.

[Lisa Keller]

I was given as good as I got.

[Narrator]

Next, Nancy appears with a broomstick. She hands it to Jeff, who attacks the Kellers with it.

[Walden University Sponsor]

Here, here.

[Dean Keller]

Drop it.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I was.

It took my brother to a different level.

[Jeff Weigel]

You want me? Come and get me.

[Dean Keller]

I don't think either of them thought this was ever going to get this bad. Police arrive and again trying to referee as best they can this dispute between neighbors. It's just crazy that a fight over offense has to come to this.

[Nancy Phillips]

We didn't do anything to provoke this. He started it with a punch.

[Dean Keller]

Dean and Lisa tell police that that Jeffrey had hit them both with the broom. Nancy tells police that Dean had picked up a fence post. You back off and hit Jeffrey with that.

[Narrator]

It's a case of he said, she said. And without concrete evidence, police won't press charges.

[Lisa Keller]

I felt like we wasted them coming out to our house. It got very frustrating.

[Dean Keller]

I just want it to end. You know what I mean? It's getting scary. Is there nothing you can do? I'll make a report and pass it

along to the county prosecutor. But the smart thing.

Install a security camera.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

The police suggested that they just put a surveillance camera out so these things could be caught on tape without them having to physically record them with their phone.

[Narrator]

The Kellers take the advice via camera and position it by the gap in the fence where so many flashpoints occur. Dean is confident it will capture some of Jeff's many aggressions.

[Lisa Keller]

I'll catch him reaching over the fence, hitting me in the back of the head or poking me with a broom. We'll have the irrefutable video that we need.

[Narrator]

Dean and Lisa Keller are hopeful they'll soon be rid of their neighbor once and for all. But Jeff Weigel remains determined to protect both he and Nancy Phillips by any means necessary. The next time the two men meet at the fence, Jeff provides Dean the evidence he needs.

[Jeff Weigel]

This.

[Narrator]

This is the actual audio.

[Dean Keller]

I got a gun.

You plan on using it?

Yeah.

Thank you.

[Lisa Keller]

I actually said thank you because I'm like, all right. He threatened me with the firearm. We can call the cops.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I remember thinking, finally, this is going to end. He's going to get charged, she's going to evict him, and we're finally not going to have to to constantly be looking over our shoulder.

[Narrator]

Just in case their efforts fail, Dean makes sure he's prepared to defend himself from now on.

[Dean Keller]

Carrying 24 7.

[Lisa Keller]

He'd already stabbed me with a knife. He said he had a gun and he planned to use it. I'm going to take that threat serious.

[Narrator]

I'm scared.

[Dean Keller]

Don't be. I have a plan.

[Narrator]

Before calling authorities, Dean appeals to Nancy one last time, telling her Jeff's recorded threat will likely land him in court and that she could get caught in the fallout.

[Lisa Keller]

I told her that this is not going to be good and you not kicking him out. This could come back on you.

[Dean Keller]

It's going to cost you a lot more if we go to court.

[Narrator]

His plea pays off. Nancy begins to understand the Keller's fear of Jeff.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

All of the neighbors were concerned for Nancy. I'm sure he was a frightening person to live with at times.

[Jeff Weigel]

I just saw his dog out on the road in front of our house. We gotta do something.

[Nancy Phillips]

I'm not so sure it's a good idea for you to stay here anymore.

[Jeff Weigel]

Are you evicting me?

[Nancy Phillips]

I wish things could have been different. I'm sorry.

[Narrator]

Nancy's newfound courage helps mend other fences as well.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Nancy's daughters have come back out. They're spending time with Nancy, and they stop over and tell us that Nancy's gonna have him removed from the house. I was pretty hopeful, pretty happy.

[Lisa Keller]

She had filed paperwork to evict him, but there's a process, so he would have been there waiting for the process of eviction.

[Narrator]

Yet before Jeff can vacate, the gap in the fence causes another battle when Nancy's dog passes through it to the Keller's yard.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

All these threats have been made and all this has happened. And so my brother is not going to go near their property to take the dog back.

[Dean Keller]

Dean actually takes the dog and brings it into his house.

[Narrator]

But when Nancy's pet bites Dean, he's forced to summon familiar authorities.

[Nancy Phillips]

Can't take my dog.

[Dean Keller]

He bit me. I've called animal control.

[Nancy Phillips]

Mindy never bit anyone.

[Dean Keller]

Neither am my dog. Nancy. Think about it.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Give her back.

[Dean Keller]

The Kellers don't give the dog back until the police get there. Dean tells them that this dog has bit him. The animal control officers come out, do an investigation, and ended up giving a warning to Jeffrey and Nancy. Jeffrey was very angry about this. If my neighbor took my dog, I'd be very angry about that.

[Narrator]

Jeff sees his opportunity to get back in Nancy's good graces.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I really felt sorry for Nancy. I think that Jeffrey took advantage of the situation.

[Nancy Phillips]

I'm worried he's going to do it again.

[Jeff Weigel]

No kidding.

[Nancy Phillips]

I don't want that.

[Lisa Keller]

I'm not sure whether Nancy's thought process to align with Jeff was out of fear or she actually did believe and was falling in line with his thought process.

[Narrator]

Jeff hears the words he's been hoping for.

[Nancy Phillips]

Maybe you should stay.

[Jeff Weigel]

Maybe that's best for the three of us.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

It was just further proof in my mind that he was completely in control at this stage. We realized he was never going away. Imagine constantly having to live on edge in your own home.

[Dean Keller]

You just see it getting out of hand here and how it goes over years and years and years. And builds and builds and builds. Never in a million years could anyone have expected what was about to happen next.

[Narrator]

On June 27, 2017, the Keller Security camera records the climax to this story. Bits of actual audio follow that come with a language warning.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

It was pretty much like any other day. Dean wanted to go out to the garden. Wanted me to come out there with him.

[Lisa Keller]

Jeff's out mowing the lawn. I did my best to ignore him. And he comes up and messes with the fence.

[Jeff Weigel]

Hey, asshole.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

He starts to get into a confrontation with Dean, trying to provoke him.

[Jeff Weigel]

And I see you got the slut out.

[Dean Keller]

And Jeffrey says an insult to Dean's wife. Certainly that's enough to get any man angry and ready to fight.

[Lisa Keller]

He puts the lawnmower in reverse.

[Dean Keller]

What now?

[Lisa Keller]

And he pulls out a revolver and brings it up.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Jeff has a gun. And I look at Dean and I really. Dean hasn't drawn. And watch in disbelief and horror.

[Dean Keller]

Easy, Jeff.

[Lisa Keller]

I told him not to. Don't shoot me.

[Dean Keller]

Get back.

[Lisa Keller]

I reach for my weapon. The firearm that he has is pointed upwards. He's bringing it down. I draw my weapon. I hit him with the first shot. I fired 11 rounds total. He's fallen off the lawnmower.

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey fires some shots back.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

My husband is returning fire. There's no cover back here. We can't get away from him.

[Lisa Keller]

My gun's empty. It's doing me no good. I discard it.

[Narrator]

Dean and Lisa Keller run for cover to save their lives.

[Lisa Keller]

I know I've hit him. I know he's wounded pretty bad.

[Dean Keller]

Jeffrey. He has four bullets to the chest. He's critically wounded. But you see him miraculously stand up and then walk towards his house, uttering one last insult.

[Jeff Weigel]

Motherfucker.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I tell the dispatcher that he's kind of staggering as he's headed back to the house.

[Jeff Weigel]

Call 911.

[Dean Keller]

He just collapses onto the kitchen floor. He's bleeding profusely. These four bullets certainly looked like they were going to be fatal. By the time medics arrive, there's a whole lot of blood. And they have to cut his clothing and work quickly to get him help and get him to the hospital. Dean exercises rights to not speak to police without an attorney.

[Narrator]

But the shooting suspect alerts authorities to his recording device.

[Lisa Keller]

They hadn't noticed the camera was there. So we tell the sheriff's department. They pull the camera and they review it.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

We have a camera, but you don't know what it's captured.

[Narrator]

If Jeff doesn't survive and the camera hasn't captured him. Brandishing first, Dean could be charged with murder.

[Dean Keller]

It looked like this might be the end for Jeffrey. It's nothing short of a miracle that he made it. Anybody who could take four bullets to the chest and survive is very lucky.

[Narrator]

When Jeff recovers enough to recount his version of events, there's even more importance. When placed on the video evidence from the scene.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Jeff's alive, and all he kept saying was, the neighbor shot me, the neighbor shot me.

[Lisa Keller]

Luckily, the video caught everything.

[Dean Keller]

It's clear on the tape you can see Jeffrey lift and hold a firearm.

[Lisa Keller]

Had I been one step to the left or right, I could have blocked the camera's view. They wouldn't have caught him drawing the gun first.

[Dean Keller]

That movement, that showing of the gun, was enough to justify self defense for what happened next. You have a right to defend yourself in most states, certainly in Indiana. We find out later that the gun belonged to Nancy. It was a.38 caliber, and Jeffrey had taken it without her knowing.

[Narrator]

At trial a year later, the incriminating video seals Jeff's fate.

[Dean Keller]

Prosecutors charge Jeffrey with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. He served six months with good time.

[Narrator]

Dean Keller is never charged with an offense.

[Lisa Keller]

It's like a weight being lifted off the shoulder.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

How Jeff fired five rounds and never once hit Dean. I will always be grateful for that because truly, as close as he was, there should have been no way he missed.

[Narrator]

When Jeff is released from prison, Nancy takes him back in.

[Dean Keller]

It took him a long time to recover.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

My first thought was disbelief. Completely caught off guard that she would let him back.

[Narrator]

Later, Nancy faces some health complications, and Jeff moves on.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

Jeffrey decided to leave. It wouldn't have been the same easy living situation for him anymore.

[Narrator]

Nancy's daughter dawn, moves in to take care of her mother. For the first time in years, the Keller family can finally relax.

[Lisa Shipe (Dean's sister)]

I think it's hard to understand, but the sense of relief that you get and you go outside and I don't have to look at that fence and wonder whether or not Jeff's going to walk out with a gun and shoot somebody.

[Lisa Keller]

It's been a learning experience for everybody involved. It was a turning point for me. Hopefully it'll be a turning point for him.

[Narrator]

There's hope that these longtime neighbors can rekindle their bond, but the community will never be the same.

[Dean Keller]

Greenwood, Indiana, is not, you know, a place where you have a lot of shootings. So to have a neighbor shooting neighbor in a community like Greenwood sort of, you know, resonates in this case. I guess we get to take heart that no one died.

[Narrator]

This podcast is produced by Cream Productions in association with Fremantle Media and id. You can check out Fear Thy Neighbor on Max, Discovery plus and id.

[Adam Grant]

Hey, this is Adam Grant, host of ted's podcast Rethinking with Adam Grant. One assumption Many organizations rarely rethink how their financial operations actually get done. That's why smart leaders turn to Bill, the intelligent finance platform that helps businesses and accounting firms scale with proven results. In fact, Bill reports that 98 of the top 100 U.S. accounting firms trust them to manage, move and maximize their clients money all in one place. The right systems can free up time, reduce drag and make growth more intentional. Visit bill.com proven to talk with an expert about automating your business finances and get a $150 gift card as a thank you. Terms and conditions apply. See Offer page for details.

[Kohler Sponsor]

There are moments that reveal who we are and who we're meant to become. For those born to lead, such moments call for a vehicle of equal distinction. Dynamic by design, uncompromising in execution, the Range Rover Sport was engineered for those rare individuals who demand the world and possess the conviction to claim it. When your time to lead arrives, you need a vehicle that rises to meet it. The Range Rover Sport Exclusive offers available now. Explore further@range rover.com when you're a maintenance

[Nancy Phillips]

engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Grainger's vast selection of high quality motors, sensors, belts and hard to find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place so nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Kohler Sponsor]

Think of a toilet as just an everyday object. Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler Smart toilet. Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary with standout aesthetics and intuitive controls. These are functional works of art, stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture, it's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart Toilets. Find more at kohler. Com.