Indie film maker John Upton Jr. shot and killed over shubbery dispute

by designs 6 Replies latest social current

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  designs

  John Upton Jr. gained acclaim in the 1990s for his documentary on the abuse of Romanian orphans under the communist dictator Ceausescu. 20/20 featured his documentary.

  In an ongoing dispute with his neighbor, Michael Vilkin, over a privacy hedge the dispute ended with Vilkin shooting Upton first in the stomach and then in the head. Vilkin is claiming self-defense. Vilkin did have a gun with him while doing his gardening, Vilkin claims that Upton came out of his house with a gun and fearing for his safety shot Upton in the stomach, Upton did not die from the shot but kept advancing toward Vilkin, Vilkin then aimed for the head. John Upton's mother had just died a few hours earlier from cancer.

  Encinitas, California, John Upton Jr was 56.
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  cobaltcupcake

  There has to be more to that story. Why would you be gardening with a side arm?
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  designs

  Apparently, by the news stories provided so far, this had been an ongoing dispute with many shouting arguments over the past year. Why they couldn't just call each other f*&%ku and walk away is the thing to be discovered. Had both been bringing guns to their arguments before. Why couldn't Upton have planted more shrubs on his side of the property if he wanted more privacy. Why was Vilkin provoking the situation and carrying a gun while doing gardening. Would two women bring guns to such an argument.
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  tijkmo

  your shrubbery or your life
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  LV101

  That's just crazy. Remember that ole saying about love your neighbor but keep the hedges high (Mark Twain?) --- hum, maybe shubbery wasn't high enough or just a bum saying.
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  Satanus

  Reminds me of those old westerns.

  The way he advanced on his nieghbor, considering that his mother had just dies, maybe, he saw this as a way out.

  S
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  Sulla

  I thought everybody owed the grass while armed. Actually, looks like everybody does.