Sin City Shootout

Summary

Fear Thy Neighbor — "Sin City Shootout" (June 8, 2026)

Host: ID
Episode Description:
What happens when the person you fear most lives right next door? "Fear Thy Neighbor" explores true stories of neighborly disputes turned deadly. In “Sin City Shootout,” the show examines the explosive feud between two men in a Las Vegas suburb, where mounting animosity and petty complaints escalate into violence with tragic consequences.

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Main Theme and Episode Overview

The episode investigates the collapse of civility between once-friendly neighbors in a Las Vegas community, exploring how minor irritations—noise, pets, generational differences—fester, explode, and culminate in a fatal shootout. Featuring interviews with friends, family, attorneys, and those involved, the story warns of how ordinary conflicts can turn deadly, unraveling the bonds of a neighborhood forever.

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Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Introduction to Westport Circle (01:32–04:56)

• Setting: A quiet, close-knit Las Vegas community.
• Residents: John Bonova, original homeowner and builder; the Stapleton family—painters Frank, Lolita, and their son Jim.
• Early Harmony: John and Jim form a mentor-mentee relationship. John helps Jim move into a nearby rental, maintaining a feeling of “family” on the block.
  • Quote (John mentoring Jim):
    “John definitely mentored Jim and taught him basically everything he knew about the trade.” — Rob Essere (04:56)

2. The First Cracks: Noise Disputes (06:25–08:35)

• Jim’s Love of Loud Music: Heavy metal played late at night becomes a persistent issue.
  • Quote:
    “Jim would be up all night making noise in the garage or had his music going pretty loud…” — Alan Pratt (07:48)
• John’s Frustration: He enlists neighbors to help, but most avoid direct involvement.

3. Escalation and Competing Narratives (08:35–12:45)

• History of Bad Blood: Strained relationship between John and Jim’s parents.
• Petty Acts: Disputes over a borrowed telescope and trash cans placed to block driveways come to symbolize deeper grievances.
  • Quote:
    “Jim would almost purposely put his trash cans in front of John’s driveway so he couldn’t get his truck out. It really got under John’s skin.” — Derek Hill (11:09)
• Personal Attacks: Verbal insults begin to fly across property lines.

4. New Relationships & Canine Conflicts (15:01–17:13)

• Jim Meets Tisha: Their romance sparks a brief period of happiness for Jim (15:10), but the feud with John persists.
• Dog Trouble: Jim acquires “Rocco,” a dog whose aggression toward John’s elderly pet fuels animosity.
  • Quote:
    “Get your dog on a leash or I’ll… shoot the damn thing.” — John (16:41)

5. Mutual Paranoia and Physical Confrontation (18:03–20:45)

• Gun Allegations: John claims Jim fires a gun in his backyard; Jim’s camp denies it.
• Physical Brawl: A late-night confrontation leads to a fistfight and a call to police.
  • Memorable Moment:
    “They both went into hate mode and that was it. Getting physical changes everything.” — Rob Essere (18:32)
• Legal Maneuvers: John attempts to file a restraining order, but it’s not granted.

6. Weaponizing Fear: Guns and Surveillance (21:12–23:08)

• John’s Concealed Carry: Fears for his safety and begins carrying a pistol.
• Security Cameras: Both Jim and John install cameras, stoking more suspicion and tension.
  • Quote:
    “He wasn’t using the cameras for that. He was using the cameras to spy on people like John.” — Tisha (21:53)

7. Domestic Troubles and Further Deterioration (23:12–28:47)

• Tisha Moves In, Then Out: Drinking and controlling behavior cause Tisha to leave Jim, heightening his isolation and anger.
  • Quote:
    “When Jim would start drinking, everything about him would change. He was very possessive and he was very controlling.” — Tisha (23:36)
• Incidents with Guns: John allegedly swerves at Jim’s dog, draws his weapon; versions of events differ.
  • Quote:
    “Get to steppin or the next one kills ya.” — John threatening Jim (25:35)

8. The Breaking Point: Violence Erupts (34:43–39:00)

• Escalating Threats: Texts from Jim to Tisha reveal intentions (“I’m going to put an end to my problem with my neighbor. I can’t take it anymore. He is done.” — 35:20).
• Deadly Morning (May 7, 2015):
  • Heated, drunken argument.
  • Both men armed—John with his pistol, Jim with a shotgun.
  • Shootout in the cul-de-sac; John is gravely wounded, Jim is also injured but survives.
• Aftermath:
  • John is pronounced brain dead after a week; Jim is arrested.

9. Trial, Responsibility, and Fallout (40:09–45:12)

• Self-Defense vs. Murder:
  • Security footage shows John firing first; prosecution uses Jim’s texts and behavior to argue premeditation.
  • Jim pleads guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a minimum 14-year sentence.
    • Quote (Defense Attorney):
      “John was the person who fired the first shot. Jim was holding the shotgun and it was pointed at the ground. He raised it in response…” — David Lopez Negrete (40:09)
• Lasting Impact:
  • John’s mother is devastated; Frank Stapleton’s health deteriorates.
  • The neighborhood’s sense of trust is shattered. Neighbors become distant, with porch lights always on.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “One of us are going to end up killing the other one if you don’t get him out of here.”
  — John Bonova to Rob Essere (33:35)
• “I just never thought in a million years that this would happen directly across the street from me…”
  — Derek Hill, after the shooting (37:11)
• “This case is difficult because he has obviously some factors that weigh in his favor… But still, Jim had to accept responsibility for a very serious charge.”
  — Attorney David Lopez Negrete (41:01; 42:09)

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Timestamps for Pivotal Segments

• Early days of neighborhood harmony: 01:32–05:10
• Noise disputes and relationship strains: 06:25–09:45
• Escalations over pets, property, and respect: 10:07–12:45
• Fistfight and police involvement: 18:16–20:45
• Weapons, paranoia, and the gun incident: 21:12–27:09
• Tisha’s testimony about deteriorating domestic life: 23:08–28:47
• Day of the shooting and aftermath: 34:43–39:18
• Legal resolution and sentencing: 40:09–42:37
• Reflections on loss and neighborhood change: 44:20–45:29

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Closing Reflection

The episode closes with somber reflections from surviving family and neighbors, highlighting how the shootout left scars on all sides:

• “After the shooting, everyone kind of became a little more weary… Completely changed the whole dynamic of the street.” — Derek Hill (45:01)
• “I think one of the things you want to remember from a case like this is that it’s usually a tragedy all around.” — Attorney David Lopez Negrete (44:34)

Westport Circle is never the same: one man dead, another imprisoned, families devastated, a neighborhood, once ordinary, forever marked by tragedy.

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Summary Table

| Segment | Timestamp | Key Points | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Neighborhood Harmony | 01:32–05:10 | John, Jim, and families form close bonds, working and living together amicably | | Noise & Petty Disputes | 06:25–12:45 | Music, tools, and small slights fester into larger disagreements | | Escalation of Hostilities | 15:01–21:12 | Arguments intensify, dog issues, accusations of gunshots, surveillance cameras installed | | Fight & Gunplay | 18:16–28:47 | A fight, restraining order attempt, eventual gun threats | | Climactic Violence | 34:43–39:18 | Jim's threatening texts, armed confrontation, shootout leaves John dead, Jim wounded | | Legal Aftermath & Community Fallout | 40:09–45:29 | Court case highlights ambiguity and blame on all sides; neighborhood dynamic shattered |

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Episode Tone

The episode maintains a tense, foreboding tone, using direct, unvarnished testimony to illustrate how pride, alcohol, and mutual suspicion can turn everyday life into a nightmare. The narration is sober and empathetic, revealing both sides' perspectives while warning listeners of the deadly potential in letting neighborly disputes go unchecked.

Transcript

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[C]

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. We're in a residential area outside of Las Vegas with two hard working neighbors who pride themselves on looking out for their families and each other. They work together, relax together and enjoy a harmonious existence. But things quickly go off the rails when a generational clash turns ugly fast. This is fear thy neighbor. Sin City Shootout. Las Vegas is known as Sin City because the fun never stops. But far from the crowds, noise and vice, locals prefer the tranquility of communities like Westport Circle.

[D]

It was a nice neighborhood. It was kind of quiet. There was families with older children and older people and, you know, just people that kind of kept to themselves.

[E]

Everyone seemed to kind of wave at each other. Everyone got along.

[C]

The voices you just heard belong to Alan Pratt and Derek, residents of Westport Circle and neighbors of John Bonova, a contractor who helped build the houses here back in the 70s. Note that Derek requested his voice be altered.

[E]

John purchased the model home that he built in that neighborhood.

[C]

As next door neighbor Rob Essere explains, John wears his contribution to the area as a badge of honor.

[F]

He always mentioned, I was here when they built these. I was one of the very first people here.

[E]

Everybody loved to have John as a neighbor. Outgoing individual, extremely warm and welcoming.

[F]

Hold on, hold on.

[C]

The only thing John might like more than his neighborhood is his best friend, Rosie, a sweet dog who follows him everywhere.

[E]

Rosie was part of the family to John, I think he cared about that dog more than he did most people.

[C]

Since John's dad died seven years ago, he's especially devoted to his elderly mother who lives just a couple of blocks away.

[F]

John and his mom's relationship was super tight. John was a great son to his mom. Whenever she needed anything, he was there.

[C]

And as it happens, another devoted son lives next door. Painter Jim Stapleton.

[F]

Jim was living with his parents in the front room.

[G]

See you guys later. I'm working all day with John.

[H]

Okay then, dear.

[G]

Tell him to give you a break. So can you work on our house?

[C]

Jim's father Frank is retired now, but like Jim, he spent years working as a contractor. He and his wife Lolita moved here about 20 years after John. John is struck by Jim's work ethic and tight bond with his parents and wastes no time taking him in under his wing.

[G]

Morning. Morning.

[H]

Morning.

[G]

You all set? All ready to go. All right, good. These are good people. Nice easy day.

[F]

John definitely mentored Jim and taught him basically everything he knew about the trade. Jim was an honest, hard working American guy, just regular guy.

[C]

And thanks to a recommendation from John, Jim is finally moving out of his parents place. As luck would have it, John's other next door neighbor, Rob Essere, is moving across town and looking to rent his home. Here's Rob again to explain.

[F]

I was talking to John, I'm like, you know, I'm going to be moving out, I need to find somebody. And he had mentioned, hey, Jim's looking for a place and that was it. There you go, Jim.

[G]

Thank you very much.

[B]

Keep it in the family, right?

[F]

That's how we do it around here.

[C]

Lolita Stapleton tells us she and Frank are thrilled with the new arrangement.

[H]

After Jim moved out, he lived two doors down from us, which was great.

[C]

Jim now lives on one side of John while his parents are on the other. For a time, everyone is happy with the cozy new living arrangements.

[H]

Jim liked having his own place and he liked the house. And he did a lot of work in the house, in the yard, the backyard.

[C]

Even better. Upon settling in, Jim finds steady work.

[E]

Jim finally landed a job at Trump Tower as a painter for the facilities department. It was quiet at first. He kind of would go to work and come home. That went on for quite a while. Everything seemed normal in the neighborhood.

[C]

But things change once Jim decides to indulge one of his greatest pleasures. Heavy metal music.

[G]

Jim. Jim. Hey, Jim, can you turn it down a bit? Are you kidding, man? I'm trying to relax over here. This is the way I like it.

[D]

John was upset about the noise that was going on with Jim. He was listening to some loud music.

[G]

Come on, Jim, be reasonable. I'm not turning it down. Why did you become a senior citizen?

[H]

It's Jim's house. If you wanted to play his music, what difference does it make as long as you don't play it past 10 o'?

[G]

Clock?

[H]

That would drive me crazy too.

[C]

But John isn't having any of it, so he enlists Rob Esseray to reason with his new tenant.

[F]

John would call me and complain. For the first couple of weeks, Jim did turn the music down, you know, decently. And then it was okay for about two weeks. And after the two weeks, then I get a call from John. Hey, Rob, you know, this is getting ridiculous. I think you need to have him move out.

[C]

And it's not just John who notices. Neighbor Alan Pratt is also bothered by the loud music.

[D]

Jim would be up all night making noise in the garage or had his music going pretty loud. Jim, he was trying to remodel the house, but it would be late at night. He'd be, you know, making a lot of noise with power tools, have his music going.

[C]

Understandably, the constant noise begins to sour the relationship between the two neighbors and colleagues.

[G]

Jim, Jim, hey, you gotta keep it down. It's the middle of the night.

[H]

He got mad at Jim and that's when it really started. He just got really hateful then.

[F]

At first, John and Jim were great together. They would hang out, one would go to the other's house, you know, vice versa. And then as he lived next door, it just progressively got worse.

[C]

And this isn't a dispute with just one neighbor. It turns out John has some fraught history with Jim's parents.

[H]

When we first met John, he was fine. He worked with my husband. Frank just didn't need him anymore because the work was slowing Down. So John didn't work for him anymore.

[E]

And that was unfortunate because they were neighbors, and there was a. A little bit of bad blood, if you would, between the two of them.

[F]

John's relationship with Frank and Lolita was strained for sure when I moved in the neighborhood.

[C]

Anyway, John is becoming desperate to quiet the noise next door, so he approaches close neighbor Alan Pratt in his mission to rein in Jim. But it's not easy to recruit people on Westport Circle.

[G]

Hey, Alan, did you hear that racket?

[E]

Yeah. Woke up our baby.

[D]

My baby's bedroom window was right on the side of their house.

[F]

Maybe we should talk to him together.

[E]

I don't know.

[C]

I just.

[G]

Maybe he'll listen if it's not just me.

[C]

Look, I just.

[F]

I don't think I want to get involved.

[D]

You know, if you look like you need help, I'll offer help. But as far as getting involved in people's drama and stuff, I just try to stay out of it and make sure my family's taken care of.

[C]

In this fast growing conflict, Jim Stapleton doesn't want to be painted as the bad guy.

[F]

Jim was getting annoyed. Jim didn't call me a lot, but we text, you know, back and forth. Hey, you know John's bugging me again.

[G]

Hey, you badmouthing me to the neighbor? You can't do this every night. You better watch yourself. Don't push me. I will call the cops.

[F]

One guy was single in his party years, one guy being in his retirement years. And that was the issue, is one guy wanted to be loud, one guy wanted to be quiet.

[C]

Soon, everything between the two clashing friends and colleagues becomes a point of contention.

[E]

At one point in time, Jim had asked John to borrow a telescope, and he had it for months on end. That telescope meant a lot to John because that was part of his dad. His dad was nice enough to give that to him.

[G]

Give me back my dad's telescope. I'm busy. I need it back, Jim.

[E]

John was infuriated.

[G]

Give it back to me now. Stay away from my home.

[C]

Yet Jim's mother, Lolita, insists Jim did exactly as John requested with no fuss.

[H]

John wanted it back while Jim gave it back to him. So that's all I can tell you on that. He said, I gave the thing back to you, so what's your problem? And that's it.

[C]

But others on the street disagree that things are so simple. Neighbor Derek Hill claims that Jim and his father deliberately escalate the dispute.

[E]

A couple times, Jim would almost purposely put his trash cans in front of John's. Driveway so he couldn't get his truck out. It really got under John skin.

[G]

Just put them next to each other there. Thanks, buddy. Smells funny over there. John, did you have some fish? You think this is funny, Frank? You really want to do this right now? You haven't changed the lick, John. I vouch for you so you can rent that place and this is how you thank me? Stop bugging my family.

[E]

John was a very respectful individual and he just wanted respect in return.

[G]

The hell with you. What do I need him for anyway?

[H]

Couldn't agree more. Our relationship with John was pretty bad. By that time, we just didn't like him. When you don't like somebody, you just don't bother with them. And I didn't like John and he didn't like us. So why bother with him?

[C]

With perceived hostile neighbors on either side, John becomes an easy target when he tries to relax in his backyard.

[G]

Son Jim. All right. Are you there? I can't hear you. What'd you say? You coming over tonight?

[F]

Frank and Jim were both antagonizing John for sure. I saw it, I heard it.

[G]

I've got plans. I'm not coming. You know how mom is. She'll get mad. Tell her I'll come tomorrow night. Okay? You sure? Yeah.

[E]

Sandwiched in between Frank and Jim, John just felt like there was no escape. I could see the irritation slowly starting to escalate.

[C]

Being caught in the middle is all but too much for Jonbenova. His frustration soon boils over and he sets his target directly on Lolita Stapleton.

[G]

What are you looking at, bitch? Hey, what's your problem?

[H]

He started getting nasty and he'd look over at me and he'd call me the B word.

[C]

But for the two neighbors, there's no getting away from each other. And the pressure bearing down on John is only going to increase when a new flame is brought into the mix.

[A]

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[G]

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[I]

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[C]

Jim meets a woman named Tisha through their jobs at the Trump Hotel. Here she is now to explain their undeniable spark.

[K]

Jim and I had instant chemistry. I liked my Jack straight up, cold. He liked his beer, and he likes to drink shots. And we just had everything in common.

[G]

Oh, this is great. This is awesome.

[C]

At this party, anything goes as long as you follow one directive.

[K]

Jim had told me that he had a dispute with the neighbor next door named John. Speaking with John was against the rules. You could see that the anger was building up. I cannot remember what the issues were. I just know that Jim despised John,

[C]

and the feeling is mutual. But despite the sleepless nights and mounting tension, John keeps up his daily visit with his mother, always with his dog Rosie in tow.

[F]

John's mom relied on John for everything. Every day, every day. He went and saw his mom every morning. Bring the dog, hang out with his mom, do whatever.

[C]

Yet when Jim gets a dog of his own, a big, unruly one that likes to come at Rosie, it throws John for another loop.

[K]

His name was Rocco. Jim would leave Rocco sometimes outside the house. Rocco would just run between the houses and Rocco would bark all the time.

[G]

Jim, get your dog. Morning, John. He's just playing. Get your dog on a leash or I'll you show. Shoot the damn thing.

[H]

John threatened Rocco, which is Jim's pride and joy dog. And then he says something about, I want to shoot your dog.

[G]

That's the last thing you want to do. Rocco. Come here, boy. Come here. Good boy.

[H]

We knew that eventually something was going to happen because John Wouldn't let Jim alone.

[C]

According to John, the torments of keep coming. On a rare night when Jim's not blasting his music, he makes worse noise.

[F]

I got a call that night from John. Hey, he's firing a gun in the backyard.

[C]

Yet like the argument over the telescope, not everyone buys John's story. Jim's mother, Lolita, is adamant her son never did such a thing.

[H]

John accused Jim of shooting guns in his backyard, and that was a lie. He was very messed up.

[C]

David Lopez Negrete, Jim Stapleton's attorney, backs up Lolita's statement.

[I]

John claimed that Jim had shot his gun in the backyard. But from reviewing all of the evidence and the record, it doesn't seem like there was much to support that claim.

[C]

But John insists it did happen. The once peaceful Westport Circle is now riddled with stress and hatred. The next time Jim cranks up his music, John storms over and confronts him in his yard.

[G]

This has to stop. What are you doing here? You're driving me crazy. It has to stop. Get out of my yard. Turn it down and stop or you're gonna get some.

[C]

The next moment, a fist fight breaks out. As Rob Esseray reports, John gets the worst of it.

[F]

They both went into hate mode and that was it. Getting physical changes everything.

[H]

If John hadn't come over uninvited, it would never have happened.

[C]

A battered and bloody John soon appears at neighbor Derek Hall's door.

[E]

John was standing there with bloody nose. His face was swollen.

[C]

Tempers are running too hot. This time, police are called in to try and diffuse the mounting tension. But again, it's a case of he said.

[G]

He said he punched me first. This gentleman right here. That gentleman right there, he's going to kill me. I don't. He threw the first punch.

[C]

Even for concerned friends and nearby neighbors, it's impossible to say how the fight actually started.

[F]

Jim said it was none of my business. John wouldn't tell me the reason it happened either. He just said he attacked me for no reason, which I don't believe that.

[C]

Once again, everyone has a different version of the story.

[H]

John came through the gate to the backyard and he started and I don't know what he said, but he was bad mouthing Frank, his father, and Jim told him to knock it off. Don't be talking about my parents.

[G]

You're a dirty riding cheat just like your old man.

[H]

And he took a swing at Jim. Well, you don't swing in Jim and not get swung back home.

[G]

You know what you did? You came into my backyard. I'm not playing around. Back to your home right now. Sir, do you want to press charges?

[D]

Yeah.

[G]

Hear that? Back to your home right now. Tell me what happened.

[E]

He had talked to someone from the Metro and was in the process of filing a restraining order.

[C]

But John's request for a restraining order is never granted.

[E]

It almost seemed like it was not of importance in law enforcement's eyes. You know, neighbors get in arguments all the time. This isn't a life or death situation.

[C]

And the ruling quickly takes a negative toll on John.

[E]

After the beating took place, John was pretty upset.

[F]

You're no longer friends, you don't talk to each other anymore. That was the last straw, according to John.

[E]

Considering John had basically built the neighborhood where he lived, he didn't want to go anywhere. All he had was Rosie and going and taking care of his mom.

[C]

As tensions with the neighbors on either side begin to worsen, John Bonova feels backed into a corner. Desperate to stand his ground, he resolves it's time to show the Stapletons he means business. Just in case, he proceeded to follow

[E]

through with getting his concealed carry permit.

[F]

He was afraid of Jim and he says, he won't hurt me again. That was his exact words. John carried his pistol from that day forward, always had it with him. And that was it.

[C]

As the street turns into an all out war, both sides are becoming prone to paranoia and suspicion. And the battleground is about to gain a new weapon. Home security cameras. And both households have aimed their new arsenal directly on one another. But as Jim's former girlfriend Tisha claims, constant surveillance only makes things worse.

[K]

The cameras were a good idea as a security purpose. He wasn't using the cameras for that. He was using the cameras to spy on people like John. He would go into wherever the cameras were and he would watch the video to see if anyone came over, what time I came, you know, what time I left.

[E]

John was wary about his home being vandalized or his truck being vandalized. He's almost scared that he had to do this. And he'd made the comment that he never thought in his lifetime from where that neighborhood had come from to where he's at now that he would ever need video surveillance at his home.

[C]

In the midst of all the anger and fear, Joy visits Westport Circle. Things are going so well between Jim and his new flame Tisha, that she moves in along with her daughter. At first, the new living arrangement is idyllic for the three of them.

[K]

When Jim came into our life, it completed something that was missing. Everyone was happy. I was happy, my daughter was happy. So when I moved in with Jim, it was like a family. You could tell that there was love

[C]

in the house, but the domestic bliss doesn't last long.

[K]

I would say for about a month we were good, and then it felt like a prison. Every night when we would get home after work, Jim would make himself a drink. If Jim wasn't drinking, he was a wonderful person. When Jim would start drinking, everything about him would change. He was very possessive and he was very controlling.

[C]

And there's one person Jim still can't control.

[G]

Time for some music. Come on, Jim, what are you doing?

[K]

The music would bother me after 9 o' clock at night. And the more Jim would drink, the louder the music would be.

[G]

He's gonna love it. Who doesn't like some music at night? Watch this.

[C]

While Jim spends each night drinking and blaring heavy metal music, his girlfriend Tisha is feeling tired and increasingly helpless. So she starts to make positive changes in her own life.

[K]

I'm just really upset and just sitting there knowing that all I'm doing is drinking my life away. That's when I decided to stop drinking. That's when our relationship started to change.

[C]

But Jim, on the other hand, seems determined to stick with his nightly routine. Each night, the drinking and music continue.

[G]

If you don't like it, you can go inside. I'm having a great time. Johnny and I are having a party tonight. Johnny, how's the music, buddy? Johnny, let's have a party, buddy.

[C]

For John, the party is long over and the worst is yet to come. Here's attorney, David Lopez Negrete, to outline

[I]

the next escalation, there was another incident between Jim and John. In this case, Jim was outside his home. It was late at night.

[C]

According to Jim, John takes the feud to horrific new heights. As he claims John intentionally swerves his truck and tries to hit his dog,

[G]

Rocco. Hey. What? What was that? Helmet. What? You swerve at my dog again, we got a problem. Is that right? You'll see what happens.

[C]

Jim is furious by the attempted attack on his furry friend. So he approaches his neighbor and prepares for a fight. But as Jim moves in on John, John allegedly pulls out his gun and aims.

[G]

Get to steppin or the next one kills ya.

[H]

How are you supposed to feel when someone points a gun at you?

[C]

Fortunately, both men step back from the brink and no one is hurt. Police are summoned and once again come out to pay the neighbors a visit.

[I]

With John pulling out his weapon, saying that if he doesn't get to Stepan, the Next one will kill him. Clearly, Jim felt like he was in fear of his life.

[C]

As usual, each side's story is radically different.

[I]

Of course, John denied swerving at Jim's dog whatsoever.

[C]

Former neighbor Rob Assaray supports his friend.

[F]

I remember hearing about it, and my initial thought was there was no way John would do something like that. No way.

[I]

John also explained that beyond just having the prior violent altercation with Jim, he felt justified in pulling out his weapon because Jim was encroaching on his property.

[G]

Get off my property. Now.

[I]

Despite Mr. Stapleton having cameras on his residence, they weren't actually pointed in the right direction, so they weren't able to corroborate it one way or the other.

[C]

John Bonova also has security cameras, but his footage can't provide clear evidence either. While some neighbors, like Derrick Hill, believe John was simply defending himself, I believe

[E]

if John was on his own property and Jim came up screaming and shouting at him, he pulled the gun out in self defense.

[C]

Others, like Jim's mother, Lolita and girlfriend Tisha, feel on edge at the escalation.

[H]

When John pulled the gun on Jim and put it to his face, it bothered me. It was just kind of scary. That's all I can say.

[K]

I was scared. I was afraid most people who would point a gun, they're going to use it. I started to rethink on why I was there.

[D]

I've watched a lot of crime TV shows and you see stories of other people's neighborhoods, but you just don't expect that it happens in yours.

[C]

The strain of living next to John tears away at Jim's family life, and his inner demons only add to the misery.

[K]

His way of coping with being scared would be make himself a drink. He would have his one drink. I understand that he would relax. Every night he would drink, but on the weekends, he would drink and drink and drink. But after three or four or five, he would change. He would become angry, upset. He would be a whole different person. He wouldn't be the same gym that was in the morning. And this was every day. Every day. He became the controlling, the jealous, the possessive type of person. And it scared me and it scared my daughter.

[C]

Fearing for her child's safety, Tisha decides enough is enough. She can't live under Jim's drunken rule any longer. She decides to leave. So while Jim is out on an errand, Tisha gathers her daughter and a few small suitcases and flees home, never to return.

[K]

I couldn't take it no more. I was protecting my daughter from him.

[C]

While Tisha and her daughter are free from the drama that abounds on Westport Circle. The other neighbors aren't so lucky, and things are only going to get worse.

[J]

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[C]

As Jim's neighbor Derek Hill and mother Lolita explain things. Take a turn when Tisha moves out.

[E]

After the girlfriend moved out of Jim's house, he spiraled downhill even more.

[H]

He went to work. He was working at Trump's Towers. And one of his, he thought was his good friend told the boss that Jim had been drinking because he could smell it on his way.

[C]

Jim has administered a drug and alcohol test with a bad result.

[K]

He got fired for filling the alcohol test. And he thought I was the one that had reported him.

[C]

As Jim's mother, Lolita explains, getting fired only exacerbates her son's worsening drinking problem.

[H]

And so they let him go. Then he just came home and started drinking. And that's when it all started. He drank the whole weekend.

[K]

On this particular weekend, he drank for 27 hours straight, which is an awful long time.

[F]

Jim just kind of retreated into himself. Never came out, except to bother John, I guess.

[C]

And as Jim drinks more and more, John grows increasingly worried for his own safety.

[E]

John was very on edge about the whole situation. He said that, yeah, he'd kept a gun next to his pillow. He was scared that something really bad was going to happen.

[C]

John claims Jim keeps harassing him, this time by throwing rocks at his house.

[G]

This one's for you, old man. Oh, I got something for you. I got another gift for you, man. Here you are. Write down your fat head, buddy.

[C]

Others say Jim never taunted his neighbor with verbal abuse or threw rocks at his house. Jim's mother says she told him to keep his distance.

[H]

I just tell him, stay clear of him, stay clear of John, Jim, because it's not worth it, because John was the way he was and there was no change in him.

[C]

But John confesses to friends closest to him that he's scared of things escalating past the point of no return. He begins opening up to Rob Essere, the owner of the house Jim has been staying at.

[F]

Well, this is when I started getting concerned. John started getting a little bit more serious. And this is the first time he says, rob, one of us are going to end up killing the other one if you don't get him out of here.

[C]

Just when things reach a breaking point, it looks like the feud might be over. Rob Estaray puts his house up for sale, meaning Jim will soon be out.

[F]

John was very happy and he said, thank you. Thank you for, you know, listening to me. Thank you, you know, for, for understanding where I'm coming from. I was very relieved. I was getting stressful.

[C]

But in this never ending feud listing, the house is seen as an act of war. With his shelter now being Threatened. Jim has little else to lose. His girlfriend.

[K]

Tisha explains, when Jim knew that the house was up for sale, he was very angry. He felt like he was entitled to stay in this house as long as he wanted to. I was afraid something bad was going to happen.

[C]

Tisha's fears are about to be realized.

[E]

May 7, 2015. I got up that morning, just like every other morning, made my coffee, got ready for work and left. So that morning I opened the front door, and right away I could hear the music coming from across the street. It was like loud, angry metal. And so I knew that Jim probably wasn't in a good place that day.

[K]

When I'd gotten up, there was a few text messages on my phone sent from Jim. Jim had said his problem with his neighbor is going to be solved. He can't take it no more.

[C]

Stapleton's actual text reads, I'm going to put an end to my problem with my neighbor. I can't take it anymore. He is done. Tisha responds, you're being stupid. Everybody knows he is not worth it. So please stop and rethink what is important. The bullets will always win and everyone else loses.

[K]

The whole time I was with Jim, all he did was talk and talk and talk. When he sent those messages, I just figured it's just another thing that Jim's doing to get attention.

[H]

May 7, 2015. I did my usual thing. I got up, turned the coffee on. It was a beautiful day, sun shining. Frank and I were eating breakfast and Jim came over. He was hungover. He wasn't particularly really drunk. He was hungover.

[C]

Jim makes a startling confession at the breakfast table. He has a shotgun stashed in his truck.

[H]

We didn't even know he had the gun.

[C]

Seeing the state his son is in, Frank wants him to hand the weapon over for safekeeping.

[H]

Frank told him, let's go get it.

[C]

As Jim and Frank go to retrieve the firearm from the vehicle, John is already outside, off to see his mother.

[H]

That's when he called me the B word. After the verbal incident, we thought it was over. Jim and Frank went over to get the gun to bring back to our house.

[C]

But on this beautiful spring morning, all the anger and fear reach a point of no return.

[H]

John had backed out his truck onto the street like he was going to go down the street. But instead, he whipped back in toward his driveway and he took his gun and he started shooting.

[E]

I just never thought in a million years that this would happen directly across

[C]

the street from me in a few seconds. The small world of Westport Circle is torn apart.

[E]

I saw John's truck kind of halfway out of the driveway in the middle of the cul de sac. And it looked like his driver's side window was broken, you know, immediately. Oh, my God. You know what happened? John suffered a shotgun wound to the face. It wasn't looking good.

[C]

Jim has also been shot in the chest and in his right forearm.

[H]

I was just a nervous wreck seeing that, but I got on the phone real fast. I called 911. After the shooting, Jim come over to our garage and he sat on the wall between the two houses, John and our house. Jim didn't say anything. He just sat there and waiting for the police.

[C]

Minutes later, ambulances rush both John Bonova and Jim Stapleton to the hospital.

[H]

The bullet hit about 3 to 4 inches from his heart, so it was about 3 to 4 inches from him dying.

[C]

Jim survives his wounds. Two days later, he's transferred to Clark County Detention Center.

[K]

I can't believe he sent me those messages. And I did not warn anybody. I didn't call anybody to let them know. I felt guilty. I seriously sat outside for hours and held a lot of guilt. And I cried and I don't cry. You know, I felt like I was responsible for this. I could have prevented it.

[C]

In hospital, John Bonova continues fighting for his life.

[F]

Well, the first day I went and visited him in intensive care, they said he was just in a coma.

[E]

Anyway, John was on life support for about a week. I think they pronounced him brain dead and had to take him off life support. Just infuriated me that this would happen to such a sweet guy.

[K]

When I found out that John passed away and I found. Found out the extent of what Jim did to John and I trusted him. That could have been me and my daughter that he did that to. I could not believe that I trusted my daughter with this man. I could not believe it.

[E]

That's horrible.

[C]

I thought I just wanted to be

[F]

like just a flesh wound or something and everyone was gonna be okay. I was mad when it happened. I was mad at Jim.

[C]

For Jim Stapleton is charged with first degree murder. But in court, his attorney, David Lopez Negrete argues it was self defense and turns to Jon Benova's home security footage for support.

[I]

The video cameras from John's home established conclusively that John was the person who fired the first shot. Jim was holding the shotgun and it was pointed at the ground. He raised it in response to John, accelerating towards Jim and Frank and pointing his gun at Jim and Frank.

[C]

The prosecution paints an entirely different Picture. They argue that Jim planned the attack the night before, as evidenced by him turning off his security cameras.

[K]

He'd been drinking all night long. His music was playing super, super loud.

[C]

The prosecution also claims the texts Jim sent Tisha prove he was lying in wait for John that morning, including one that read, if the cops ask, don't lie. Tell them I had at least two shotgun blasts for this asshole.

[I]

From my perspective, representing Mr. Stapleton, this case is difficult because he has obviously some factors that weigh in his favor. The fact that Mr. Bonova was the one who fired first and that Jim was actually protecting himself and protecting his dad in that situation. But on the other hand, there are factors that weigh against Jim, especially the text messages and the history of altercations between them.

[C]

A neighbor also reported to police that she heard Frank trying to stop Jim before he fired.

[G]

Stay calm, Jim. Stay calm.

[I]

From the state's perspective, seeing that Jim had at that point retrieved the shotgun and had it in his hand, Mr. Bonova could have felt in fear. And that could have explained why John felt the need to fire first.

[F]

No questions of what he was doing. You know, when somebody's coming to hurt you, you know it. Everybody's instincts know it. And there was nothing peaceful about it.

[I]

Ultimately, we didn't proceed to trial. We were able to reach a resolution where Jim would plead guilty to second degree murder with use of a deadly weapon. So he was able to avoid the prospect of losing on a first degree murder charge. But still, it's difficult because ultimately Jim had to accept responsibility for a very serious charge, which ultimately required him to serve a very significant prison sentence.

[C]

Two years after the murder, Jim Stapleton is sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison.

[H]

The court didn't see it the same way we did. The text messages is what really did it for him.

[K]

When I found out that Jim had shot John, I was in a state of shock. I felt guilty. I could have called somebody, but I didn't believe him. Just knowing that I put my daughter in danger. There's no words to express. I mean, that could have been me or my daughter that he shot.

[F]

I would never imagine in a million years that it would come to this. I would figure it would be another fight and then one of them would go to jail and then it would be over with and then everyone would calm down and then they would figure it out again just like before, and then that would be it.

[H]

And the shooting would not have happened if John had just been on his way when he backed out of his driveway. But instead he had to come in, start shooting, and Jim had to defend himself. Life in the neighborhood wasn't the same. They quit talking to Frank and I because they blamed us for Jim's doing. I want people to know that I'm a good person and I had nothing to do with what happened. Jim was in his 40s, and so he was a grown man. I don't think Jim should be in prison anymore because I think he's learned his and he is a good person and a good worker. After this incident with Jim, Frank's health declined.

[E]

Frank just kind of became a hermit.

[C]

Ten months after the shooting, Frank Stapleton passes away. After the tragic loss of two beloved neighbors, Westport Circle never feels like it used to.

[I]

I think one of the things that you want to remember from a case like this is that it's usually a tragedy all around. Obviously, you have someone losing their life, and then you have someone losing their freedom. And whichever side you stand on, whether it was a justified killing or not, the fact remains that life isn't going to be the same for anybody involved in the situation anymore.

[E]

After the shooting, everyone kind of became a little more weary. I noticed that porch lights were on a lot more. Completely changed the whole dynamic of the street. Absolutely.

[D]

We moved out of the neighborhood in March of 2018. As a father, you. You don't want to raise your kids where, you know, there's been murders and such.

[H]

So I still live there, and I'll live there till I die. It's my home.

[F]

That morning, John was just going on his regular routine to his mom's. I talked to her, and she looked like death, you know, like you're not supposed to lose a child. For me to see that in her eyes was devastating for me.

[C]

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

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