Why Can't We Talk About Amanda's Mom? - Your Next Listen: Fear Thy Neighbor

Episode Date: May 5, 2025

Check out Fear Thy Neighbor, from ID. Listen to Season 2 Episode 1, Intimidation Tactics here, and follow Fear Thy Neighbor wherever you get your podcasts.What would you do if the person you feared mo...st… was living right next door? On Fear Thy Neighbor, dive deep into stranger than fiction stories about neighbors gone wrong. We’ll hear these true stories as told by the victims, their families and their neighbors... featuring real 911 calls and surveillance archives. Tune in to hear what happens when simple issues turns into living nightmares with horrific and often fatal consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Most violent crimes that capture the public's imagination are about serial killers, mass shooters, crimes of passion, or clashes among underworld figures. Yet some of the most shocking and deadly conflicts we encounter are between everyday neighbors and ordinary neighborhoods. Their seemingly minor quibbles escalate until violence erupts and it impacts an entire community. 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 and good neighbors become worst enemies. How can you sleep at night of no return and good neighbors become worst enemies.
Starting point is 00:00:45 How can you sleep at night when the person you fear or hate the most lives right next door? We're a half hour drive from the nation's, in a well-manicured neighborhood that's been under the meticulous care of a local homeowners' association for years. The rows of picturesque townhomes are where a single black mother has worked tirelessly to afford a place in hopes of improving life for herself and her teenage daughter. It's a dream come true until they fall under the disdainful eye of the man next door. Things don't improve when the mom finds a new romantic partner.
Starting point is 00:01:30 If anything, it fuels more animosity with her neighbor. This is Fear Thy Neighbor Intimidation Tactics. Springfield, Virginia is a peaceful hidden gem in the heart of Fairfax County, 15 miles outside of D.C. Prosecutor Steve Descano and law enforcement journalist Jerry Lamb speak to its charms. It is incredibly low crime. It is the safest large community in the entire country. There's a community pool, decent amount of shared space.
Starting point is 00:02:04 The residents consider it to be quiet. And that's exactly what draws Janelle Hull, her daughter, Amaya Brown, and their dogs Gizmo and Tink to a house on Bedstraw Court. Home ownership is a significant achievement for Janelle, a single mother working as a government contractor in Washington, D.C. When my mom bought that house, she felt very accomplished for it. The neighborhood was very nice and quiet,
Starting point is 00:02:29 so she was excited, because we came from somewhere that wasn't too nice. That's Amaya, Janelle's daughter. As she explains it, the two women were immediately welcomed by the community on Bedstraw Court, in part due to Janelle's warm personality. My mom, she is a very strong-willed lady. She's very outgoing. She's really friendly.
Starting point is 00:02:52 She's very funny. We were really happy to be there. Hi. You must be Janelle Hull. Welcome to the neighborhood. Thank you so much. We're excited to be here. Thisull. Welcome to the neighborhood. Thank you so much. We're excited to be here.
Starting point is 00:03:06 This whole part town is so beautiful. We do our best to keep it looking beautiful. And we're sure you will too. Absolutely. The people in neighborhood, they were nice from when we first met them. They made sure to always say hi. The newcomers are also welcomed
Starting point is 00:03:20 with a box of handmade treats by their next door neighbor. Hi, I'm Sarah Hettle. I'm your neighbor just to the left with my husband, Michael. Janelle, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. These look delicious. They are. As Janelle accepts the cookies, her husband, Michael, appears in the doorway
Starting point is 00:03:39 to catch a glimpse of his new neighbor. Hi, Michael. Thanks for the cookies. But he just stares at her blankly. His wife Sarah is quick to apologize for his apparently chilly demeanor. I have to excuse my husband. He's a little reserved.
Starting point is 00:03:55 No worries. Thank you. Michael Hettle is a federal employee working for NASA, while Sarah is an administrator for the local school board. The couple live a mostly quiet life on their suburban street and enjoy occasional weekend visits from Michael's son, Caden. Heddle wasn't a talkative person at all.
Starting point is 00:04:14 The most you would get was a smile from him. Journalist Jerry Lamb furthers Amaya's observation. Heddle was never formally introduced to Janelle. Most of their interactions were just passing by early on. As Janelle and Amaya settle in, their encounters with the huddles fall into a consistent pattern. A wave and a smile from Sarah while Michael remains aloof. Yet Amaya can't help but notice his lack of engagement appears selective. There would be times where he would pass him and he would be full on like having conversations
Starting point is 00:04:47 and laughing with all different neighbors. But when it came to us, he didn't even want to look at us. Michael is a stickler for community standards, annoyed by even the smallest transgressions. Here's prosecutor Lyle Burnham to elaborate. Mr. Hetley definitely is the type person who believes in authority, believes people should follow the rules, and believes that he can use rules and authority
Starting point is 00:05:12 to his advantage when he wants to. And one evening, as Janelle pulls into her adjoining driveway, she gets a direct taste of Michael's high standards towards others' behavior. My mom was sitting in her car for a few minutes, like, listening to music and, like, the radio. It wasn't, like, blaring, blasting loud. That's when Hettlehead came out of his house.
Starting point is 00:05:33 Turn that down! I said, turn that crap down! We don't like that kind of music here! What did you just say? You heard me. What kind? that kind of music here. What did you just say? You heard me. What kind? What kind of music? What kind of music?
Starting point is 00:05:50 According to Amaya and Janelle, Michael went so far as to describe the music in a way they view as disparaging. In the moment when he had called my mom and the music ghetto, it was instant anger. He has no right to do that. I mean, it was just music. What kind? To Janelle and Amaya, Michael's words hint at a racial slight. But even though Janelle is offended, she tries her best not to dwell on the incident. But Michael does.
Starting point is 00:06:17 He now keeps a watchful eye over the mother and teen daughter next door. And the more he sees, the more aggravated he becomes. Lyle Burnham explains. Mr. Hetley wrote a memo to the HOA about what he claimed was vermin in or around his backyard or his home, including squirrels and mice. He claimed that they were a result of the trash at the neighbor's household not being kept tidy.
Starting point is 00:06:46 While Michael remains adamant that Janelle is to blame for the vermin, Amaya Brown disputes this assertion. I've never once seen a rat near my house. That's a lie. The trash that he claimed we left everywhere, obviously that's absurd. And it's not long before the Homeowners Association
Starting point is 00:07:02 gets involved in the dispute. As she's getting ready for work, Janelle is stunned to receive a formal letter admonishing her for the supposed state of her yard. And though she has no proof, she's fairly certain she knows who's behind it. Jerry Lamb explains. Mr. Huddle was very active in terms of keeping in touch with the HOA, filing complaints, whereas Janelle seemed to not really care that the HOA existed at all. You're just talking about two diametrically opposed personas clashing. And clash is exactly what these neighbors do. And it's not just accusations about loud music and rats. Mr. Hudettle now takes
Starting point is 00:07:46 umbrage with Janelle and Amaya's dogs. Tink, Gizmo, out you go, come on. I had been home by myself. I went to let the dogs out back, which we always did. I go back upstairs because I let them sit out there for a while and soak up the sun. In this increasingly dog-eat-dog war between households, it seems that trouble is inevitable. When Michael comes out to his backyard with his dog, the rival canines start barking up a storm.
Starting point is 00:08:23 And just like that, Janelle receives another formal written complaint from the homeowners association. This time, the letter alleges that her dogs got loose and threatened Michael and Sarah's family pet. Lyle Burnham explains. Mr. Atlee claims that the dogs came towards him and his dog, and he was concerned that they would cause his
Starting point is 00:08:45 dog some harm. And just like the last letter, Amaya Brown disputes these claims. Gizmo was a little black pug. Tink was a pit bull terrier mix. They were great, great dogs. Yes, they would bark. I mean, all dogs bark, but they were literally the family's best friend. When it came to Tink, she was scared of a fly.
Starting point is 00:09:08 There's no way she would have ran out to even try to do that, no. But Michael continues to claim that the Browns' pats are terrorizing his. And it's not long before he brings the issue to a higher authority than the homeowners' association. Yes? Ma'am, we received several complaints from your neighbor about your dogs barking all night long, defecating on others' properties. My dogs haven't done anything like that.
Starting point is 00:09:38 Janelle was obviously upset about Mr. Hadley calling the police. There was no documentation ever that the dogs ever caused any harm to Mr. Hadley or his animals. The pet issues eventually recede, but that doesn't stop the onslaught of complaints from the homeowners association. In fact, they seem to be increasing. And as Amaya puts it, the reason for many of the complaints are increasingly erroneous. My mom's reaction throughout all the accusations were embarrassment, anger. She just felt like this is getting out of control and I don't know how to stop this. And while she can't prove it, Janelle believes she knows exactly who's behind the HOA's complaints.
Starting point is 00:10:22 We just kind of put two and two together. It was Michael Hettle. Mother and daughter are convinced Michael is weaponizing both the HOA's complaints. We just kind of put two and two together. It was Michael Hetley. Mother and daughter are convinced Michael is weaponizing both the HOA and law enforcement against them. And what's worse, there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. That's when the police started to get annoyed themselves. He's just calling the cops on literally anything. Prosecutor Lyle Burnham confirms Michael's animosity
Starting point is 00:10:43 for mother and daughter. Mike Hetley did not care for Janelle and did not want them as neighbors. And though no charges ever stick, Michael's complaints have set a poisonous narrative in the whole community. And the women next door suffer because of it, says Jerry Lamb. One neighbor did describe them as being the problematic house on the block. To Amaya, it seems she can't leave her mother's house without catching a snide comment from one of the neighbors. I was walking my dog Gizmo. Gizmo went to the bathroom.
Starting point is 00:11:16 I did have a poop bag on me. Are you going to clean up after that dog? She yelled, make sure you pick your dog's shit up. We all know all the shit in this neighborhood is from you and your dogs. Sorry? I've heard all about you and your mom. The neighborhood's growing animosity
Starting point is 00:11:33 weighs heavily on Amaya. In her eyes, it's entirely unjustified. We all hate us, mom. Everyone hates us here. No, no, no. For Janelle, seeing the effect the growing animosity has on her daughter is devastating. After all, this new neighborhood was supposed to be an improvement. A place that would provide a bright and hopeful future for both women.
Starting point is 00:12:03 Reaching the end of her rope, Janelle decides to take action against the man she thinks is responsible. My mom just honestly couldn't handle it anymore. She did walk over and knock on his door. Wiser and crap about me and my child's neighbors. I don't know what you're talking about. I know it's you, Michael.
Starting point is 00:12:21 You're unhinged. She did, you know, cuss him out. You need to mind your damn business. Quit calling the HOA and the cops on us. Any one of these encounters could escalate, could turn into a violent encounter. Undeterred, Janelle tries to live her best life despite the constant monitoring from her next door neighbor.
Starting point is 00:12:41 I don't know. It was really good. Thank you guys for coming. You're welcome. We should definitely join this. My mom would have her best friends over. We would play like card games and board games and like they would cook. Naturally, Janelle's socializing infuriates Michael.
Starting point is 00:12:59 Mr. Hettle also complained there were loud parties more unruly than what they'd been used to. It was nothing big. It wasn't a party. They also complained there were loud parties, more unruly than what they'd been used to. It's a grit. It was nothing big. It wasn't a party. It was just a gathering. When they would come over, that's
Starting point is 00:13:12 when the noise complaints were to happen a lot. And once again, Janelle and Amaya are paid a visit by law enforcement. Can I help you, officer? We received a noise complaint, ma'am. We're not being loud. This is my house. I'm allowed to have people over.
Starting point is 00:13:29 We weren't even being loud, and now they see that the cops are here. It was embarrassing. Just keep the noise levels down. But it was never as he tried to make it seem. Janelle puts on a brave face for her family and friends, but underneath it all, she's living in a constant state of unease and things are about to get worse. As she's leaving her house one day,
Starting point is 00:13:56 Janelle is greeted by a strange man standing in her driveway. Janelle Hall? Yes. You've been served. What? Due to unresolved complaints filed against her, the homeowners association sues Janelle. The lawsuit accused us of leaving our dog poop all over the neighborhood, also the loud music and the yelling. Janelle did acknowledge that some of the complaints may have had
Starting point is 00:14:19 merit but said that many of them were misrepresented. The repeated phone calls, repeated documentation to the HOA, all appear to me to be someone who is trying to weaponize those systems against Janelle. Overwhelmed by what she sees as persecution, Janelle lashes back at Michael when she next sees him. Karma's a bitch, and you're gonna get it. My mom, she had a lot of anger built up.
Starting point is 00:14:47 She's not gonna live her life having to tiptoe around. — Michael isn't phased by his neighbor's threats, but Janelle is dead serious. She hires an attorney to fight back and determines not to let the stress of an ongoing lawsuit wear her down. — It gave her some sort of empowerment. She felt like she was not the bad guy in the situation. Yet as much as Janelle tries to take the high road, the constant stream of petty grievances
Starting point is 00:15:15 get the better of her. One night as another of her gatherings disperses, she makes an uncharacteristically bad decision. She just exploded. What the hell are you doing? She was pelting his car with bottles that caused some damage. There was glass breaking on the driveway. The police came and Janelle was at this point charged with destruction of property.
Starting point is 00:15:38 She later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor crime. And I believe she had to pay about $1,800 in restitution. My mom, at the time, she felt embarrassed, and she was sad about it. Michael views this as a victory and vindication of his disdain for his neighbor. Meanwhile, a chastised Janelle Hull wonders if this fight is even worth it.
Starting point is 00:16:05 There were some thoughts about moving away, but your life is here and you bought this house. You deserve it. Don't let anyone try to tear you away from that. Then, a burgeoning romance suddenly changes everything. I got you some cupcakes. Open up. Favorite.
Starting point is 00:16:24 Open up. Okay up. Boop. Okay, okay, okay, okay. Janelle finds herself head over heels in love with 21 year old military man, Javon Preether. Javon was very goofy. There was never one conversation you had with him where he didn't like make you laugh or crack a smile. I love you, Javon.
Starting point is 00:16:45 I love you, too. My mom and Javon's relationship in the beginning, it honestly was blissful. At the time he moved in, Javon worked at a giant grocery store. Before that, he was in the Maryland National Guard. He was a specialist and also spent four years as an infantryman. Seemed to be a fun-loving type of guy, interested in music, and got along really well with his family.
Starting point is 00:17:12 And soon after Javon enters the picture, he has his first encounter with Michael. Hey, Javon! I love this song. Turn it up! Go, Maya! Go, Maya! Go, Maya! The first interaction between Heddle and Javon, Heddle said that he was in his house looking
Starting point is 00:17:29 out his window when he saw the two of them dancing in the driveway. Michael comes outside and stares at the latest addition to the street. Not sensing any ill will, Javan is quick to introduce himself and asks for a neighborly favor. Hey, Mr. Hettle. I'm Jevon, Janelle's boyfriend. I was wondering, could I use your hose? I need to wash my car real quick and the one in the back can't reach.
Starting point is 00:17:54 No, they got off on the wrong foot immediately. In light of this interaction, Janelle decides it's time to sound the alarms with her new beau. It's best to keep your distance. He's insane. I mean, it's not to sound the alarms with her new beau. It's best to keep your distance. He's insane. I mean, it's not that bad. He's been out to get us since day one.
Starting point is 00:18:11 I think he's the one who initiated that H-Away lawsuit. He worries me. Listen, no one's gonna hurt you or Amaya now that I'm around, okay? He tried to do whatever he could to keep her safe and, you know, wasn't gonna let Heddle walk all over her. The couple tie the knot within a few months, and Janelle takes her new husband's last name. But the newlywed bliss doesn't last.
Starting point is 00:18:37 It's only a matter of time before the tension in the neighborhood leeches into their relationship. I hate you! Get out! Who's done with you? There was a lot of ups and downs to it. Don't ever come in here again! I'm not going to lie, there was quite a few arguments. What is wrong with you? Me? What's wrong with you? Besides everything.
Starting point is 00:18:57 Oh, please. I wish I never met you! I wish I never met you! Get out of my house! Next door, Michael uses their arguments as another pretext to summon the authorities. Yes, police, I need you to get to my house now. Neighbors are having a house dispute. Prosecutor Lyle Burnham is familiar with the tense dynamic.
Starting point is 00:19:15 The prathers and the Hetleys were a little like oil and water. Their relationship strained the longer they lived next to each other. They called the police under the auspice of being worried about the neighbors. Janel contends it's straight-up harassment, but attending officers inform her their hands are tied. Essentially, they told her that they couldn't really stop the Hetleys from continuing to call law enforcement.
Starting point is 00:19:42 Michael is relentless. Determined to discipline Janel for perceived wrongdoings, continuing to call law enforcement. Michael is relentless. Determined to discipline Janel for perceived wrongdoings, he escalates the feud to a disturbing new level. He gets a protective order against Janel. Fairfax County prosecutor Steve Descano lays it out. The protection order that Mr. Hetley was able to get against Janel stipulated that Janel was not allowed
Starting point is 00:20:04 to speak to Mr. Hetley, Mrs. Hetley, or Mr. Hetley was able to get against Janelle, stipulated that Janelle was not allowed to speak to Mr. Hetley, Mrs. Hetley, or Mr. Hetley's son. She had to stay up 10 to 15 feet away from him. She couldn't be anywhere near close to him, even though we were like next door neighbors. She was just very shook. According to Amaya, with his protective order in place, Michael steps up his antagonistic behavior
Starting point is 00:20:24 towards her family. How's that for karma? Hettle would try to, like, taunt my mom and, like, talk to her to kind of get a reaction out of her. I see you. Janelle knows that if she responds in any way, she risks being thrown in jail. But to Janelle and Amaya,
Starting point is 00:20:43 it seems as though he's goading her into a fight. Got something to say, huh? At one point, Janelle did actually report Petal to the police for trying to get her to violate the protective order. The police basically said, there's nothing we can do about it. You just have to ignore them. With no other option, Janelle keeps her distance.
Starting point is 00:21:05 But someone has other plans. One morning, Michael comes out to his car and sees that it's been splashed all over with something. I saw Javon loitering by the car last night. He did this to get back at me and call in the cops. When the police responded, they did document what appeared to be ranch dressing on the Hetley's vehicle. This is really just crossing the line for us.
Starting point is 00:21:33 Here's the vandal now. Vandal? What's going on? You know anything about this, sir? No, why would I? I'm just trying to figure out what happened here. Well, it wasn't me, but if you want to be helpful, you can tell this jerk to leave me and my family alone.
Starting point is 00:21:48 You're the one that showed up out of nowhere. You're the one that no one in the neighborhood likes. You're the one that had the cops called on you again. Stay away from my property. Stay away from us. I'm gonna kick your ass. That's enough! There were a lot of angry words exchanged on both sides,
Starting point is 00:22:04 the Prather's and the Hetley's. No charges are laid in the ranch dressing incident, which Javon insists he had no pardon. But the incident is enough to upset Javon, who now wonders if his family should move out of the neighborhood for their own protection. And on the other side of the property line, as Jerry Lamb and Steve Descano note, Michael seeks protection of his own. After this incident where there were no witnesses to what happened to the car, Hettle had security cameras installed.
Starting point is 00:22:34 It was our view that he installed those cameras to try to catch Jevon committing the misdeeds that Mr. Hettle claimed were occurring. He had directed his cameras exactly at my front door. It's like he bought the cameras just for us. Unlike Janelle, Javon is not under a protective order. With nothing stopping him, he decides to address the man that has his family living in a constant state of fear. You're pathetic, you know that? And you don't belong in this neighborhood. Get out! Your neighborhood, huh? You're the boss now.
Starting point is 00:23:06 Get out! You're the boss of no one. You're just a fat ass. There were instances that were documented on camera where Mr. Hadley would curse out Javon Prather, and Javon Prather would call him names. The raging storm between these neighbors is now primed to become a full-blown catastrophe.
Starting point is 00:23:25 March 3rd, 2020 is a special day for now 24-year-old Jevon. With Janelle in tow, it's his first time voting in a presidential primary election. Amaya recalls he was very proud of himself. When they came back from going to vote, Jevon had taken a selfie with his voting sticker in the car and was like very proud of it. And, you know, had the radio playing. The mood quickly sours when the couple looks over
Starting point is 00:23:56 to see Michael standing in his doorway. Here's prosecutor Lyle Burnham. When Javon and Janelle returned home that day, Javon was sitting in his vehicle. Mr. Headley called toward Javon Prather and told Javon that the police were going to come and speak with him. Yo, yo, yo!
Starting point is 00:24:21 Cops are coming. We literally just got home. What can you possibly be calling them about? You jerk. You really are the world's biggest loser. While Janelle and Javon are shrugging off what they perceive as another illogical complaint, Michael is adamant his latest 911 call was justified. Michael informs the police that Javon is intoxicated behind the wheel. Mike Hetley believed Javon was under the influence and decided to call 911 to report that.
Starting point is 00:24:51 Incensed at the accusation, Javon gets out of the car and confronts Michael. Why don't you and I have a conversation? Stay off my property. Javon doesn't advance further. Instead, he and Janelle retreat into their home. Michael does likewise. From here, things take a tragic and brutally violent turn. But the stories told by either side are vastly different. Recounting his version to the police, Michael reports that not long after he
Starting point is 00:25:24 returned inside, a raging Javon showed up at his door. Mr. Atlee was going to be servicing his gun that day, so he had it in his living room. That's where it was when he claimed the banging that shook his walls of his home happened. Journalist Jerry Lamb and prosecutor Steve Descano speak to Michael's stated alarm at seeing Javon outside his door and the fear it struck in him. Heddle said that he was terrified at this point. He believed that Javon was coming over
Starting point is 00:25:59 to do something violent. ["Javon's Theme"] He saw pure rage on Javon Prather's face. He was scared that Javon was going to attack him. Get back! In that moment, Michael claims to see Javon reach for a weapon. He was in fear for his life. In pure survival mode, Michael Hettle opens the door and opens fire.
Starting point is 00:26:26 There are several steps leading up to Michael's front door. Javon falls down all of them and collapses in Michael's driveway. Javon died at the scene. He didn't even make it to the hospital. Janelle is understandably devastated and furious about her husband's sudden and violent passing. When the police look to Janelle to corroborate the story of what happened, she tells a completely different tale. She explains to law enforcement that she and Javon were both very upset about their latest
Starting point is 00:26:55 altercation with Michael, and that Javon decided to go over to see if they could finally talk things out. My mom had been in the house at the time, but then she had heard it. Gunshots Janelle runs outside, but it's too late. Jevon is dead, and Michael is waiting for her. What follows is actual audio of their confrontation, as Janelle tries to haul Jevon's body away
Starting point is 00:27:23 from Michael's driveway while he trains his gun on her. A warning. What you're about to hear is upsetting. Get away! Get away! Get away! Get away! Get away! I am! I am! Mr. Hetley claimed that he was concerned that Janelle had a knife when she came and tried to drag Jevon's body.
Starting point is 00:28:00 Janelle may so now cause him harm. Michael is taken to jail while police investigate. And it doesn't take long before they determine that Janelle never had a knife to threaten Michael, as he claimed. There is no documentation that Janelle Prather had any weapons when the police arrived. To sort out the truth of what happened that March night, police begin tirelessly combing through evidence within Michael's home. When the police responded to the shooting, they executed a variety of search warrants for documentation, electronic evidence.
Starting point is 00:28:32 And no one is more concerned about what gets seized than Michael, as actual audio indicates. In recorded phone calls to the jail, Mr. Hetley called his wife, Sarah, and asked what all was taken by the police when they arrived. They took everything, including the cameras and the password to the cameras, which was, you know, convenient way enough on the refrigerator. Shit. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:28:57 Yeah. The doorbell camera Michael had installed to keep an eye on his neighbors now holds the truth about what led up to the horrific slaying of Javon Prather. Here's attorney Steve Descano. What really happened in the case is plain as day when you take a look at the Ring camera video.
Starting point is 00:29:15 There was no loud banging on the door. There was no angry face. As a matter of fact, the Ring doorbell shows that he took steps back to give space. There was no interaction when the door opened. And instead of taking the defensive posture that Mr. Hetley claimed that he was taking, he actually followed Javon out into the landing, continued to fire, followed him down the steps.
Starting point is 00:29:35 What happened at the end of the day is Javon Prather knocked on his neighbor's door, and his neighbor, Mr. Hetley, answered with seven shots in six seconds. -♪ -♪ I don't think that anybody thinks something like that is going to happen in their neighborhood. Lyle Burnham, lead prosecutor in the case, adds his thoughts.
Starting point is 00:29:58 The video footage shows that there was absolutely nothing Javon did that warranted being shot and killed in that manner. This was cold, callous murder. Javon Prather's death has already left Janelle devastated. And knowing the truth about her husband's innocence only compounds the grief. She stayed to herself and cried a lot, a lot. As the trial drags on, more facts
Starting point is 00:30:26 are revealed that make matters even worse for the grieving widow. The courtroom soon learns details of Michael Heddle's past from his former career as a cop in Washington state. Here's Jerry Lamb to explain. While he was an officer with the Bellevue Police Department, there were three particular incidents involving Hettle that were of note. In two of the instances, he shot and killed someone. He was cleared of wrongdoing in both of them.
Starting point is 00:30:55 However, to many familiar with the case, a third and final event speaks to the root of the animosity between Michael and the Prather's. Another incident with possible racist motives for Hettle was a traffic stop. He stopped an Ethiopian woman. Steve Descano and Lyle Burnham further Jerry Lamb's story. He received a written reprimand for racially profiling a Ethiopian member of the community. According to his written complaint, it was stated that he had made several comments and was going to call immigration in regards to her. Heddle resigned in 2003.
Starting point is 00:31:37 In a shocking twist, Michael's son Kaden takes the stand in court and confirms the awful truth about his father. Mr. Heddle's son very, very clearly and explicitly testified that Mr. Hetley regularly used racially derogatory language towards Siobhan Prather. It definitely seemed like he was motivated by racial animus. Caden's testimony is almost enough to convince the jury. But one final piece of evidence seals the deal. Mr. Haley, the morning of the incident, sent an email to the HOA.
Starting point is 00:32:09 He told the HOA that this situation could quote unquote result in tragedy. And of course, we saw that tragedy play out just a few hours later when he shot Mr. Prather seven times. On January 28, 2022, Michael Hettle is sentenced to life in prison. He did try to get that forgiveness back from everyone and the judge. My mom knew everything he said was wrong. Shortly after the tragedy, both families move out of their homes on Bedstraw Court. The homeowners' association and Janelle reach an agreement and their lawsuit is dropped. Sadly, it does little to soothe her heartbreak.
Starting point is 00:33:01 After the passing of Jevon, she just lost herself for a long time. Janelle and Amaya continue to honor Javon's memory. The one thing that if anyone could remember him by would be music. He loved it. And to like express that to everyone else. He did create a lot of friends and people he called family.
Starting point is 00:33:22 He was just very humble and down to earth. [♪ music playing and chimes playing in background. This podcast is produced by Cream Productions in association with Fremantle Media and ID. You can check out Fear Thy Neighbor on Macs, Discovery Plus and ID. [♪ music playing and chimes playing in background.

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