Neighbors who made headlines now make peace...

[Phentex]

Covington neighbors who made headlines now make peace

Bruno Kalonji said everyone he knew recommended that he sue his new neighbors after Robert and Branden Canoles held his parents, who they had mistaken for burglars, at gunpoint until sheriff's deputies arrived and arrested the couple.

"We don't want to take anything else away from them," said Kalonji, who initiated a meeting with the Canoleses on Sunday at their attorney's office in Covington.

Kalonji said he found Robert Canoles, 45, and his 18-year-old son -- both of whom were arrested and charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal trespass -- sincerely apologetic about what happened to his parents, Angelica and Jean-Joseph Kolonji.

snip

The two families held a joint news conference Wednesday afternoon in Covington. As Channel 2 Action News’ cameras rolled, the neighbors embraced, and the Canoleses gave the Kalonjis a housewarming gift -- a cake.

more at the ajc:

http://www.ajc.com/news/covington-neighbors-who-made-1430144.html


This is an update to an earlier story posted here http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002603274


What do you think of the situation now?

[msongs]

1. threats of imprisonment and heavy fines can make people change their outlook for tv cameras? nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. I don't like being this cynical....I just think if the situation were reversed......

[Phentex]

11. True, but it takes more than the cameras...

the new neighbors could have shut the door on this part of the story but they are choosing not to.

[sabrina 1]

2. I think it's a good thing for people to be able to learn from their mistakes, and also for people to

be able to forgive a wrong. Hopefully it is sincere and they will become good friends, that would be the best possible outcome for everyone.

[Luminous Animal]

7. It's a good start. And the best the Canoleses can do now is to simply be good neighbors.

[freshwest]

3. Good outcome. May they get to live in peace now.

[annabanana]

4. I will be looking forward to a "public interest" update in

[font color="green"]a couple of years. Maybe it will be their "meet cute" story.[/font]

[Luminous Animal]

6. I don't excuse what the Canoleses did but I am not surprised that they are

so chocked full of fear that they responded in the manner that they did. From our politicians, to our news, to the dozens of cop and military police shows, we are bombarded with the message... be afraid. Be very afraid. Instead of fighting against the propaganda, we subservient to it. As my grandma used to say, "We don't know whether to shit or go blind."

[Phentex]

13. Fear. It's at the root of so many issues...

I see it in my neighborhood along with the paranoia. Not everyone, of course, but there are plenty of people who are suspicious of anyone they don't know.

[bluedigger]

8. Good for them.

I hope everyone involved is able to move forward in peace and comity.

[Phentex]

14. Me too. I want to believe this is real...

and I have to think the new neighbors are the ones who bring a little feeling of hopefulness to the situation. Deep down I'd like to think the Canoles really learned something but as it's been said, only time will tell.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. I think americans are fucking paranoid.

Once that paranoia is exposed, they're capable of being contrite.

[HiPointDem]

10. I think it's great. And whatever the truth of the motivations of canoleses, i'd think that

being let off the hook would tend to make them feel kindly toward their new neighbors.

[Phentex]

12. To me this story is really about the new neighbors...

I'm a bit skeptical about the motivations of the paranoid neighbors but it's really amazing to see how the new neighbors seem sincere about wanting to get along with them.

I have neighbors who haven't spoken in 6 years over something stupid that happened during the construction of a house. Nothing nearly as major as having a gun at your head and yet they still snarl. I don't get it.

[HiPointDem]

15. that's the beauty of the new neighbors having the whip hand -- and refusing to use it.

if their neighbors don't feel kindly toward them after that, they are too dumb to live.

[Phentex]

16. Makes you wonder what the police will end up doing...

I still think the Canoles need to be fined at least.