Here is LK’s attorney’s response to MB’s accusations,LCV2020555534:
Dear Judge McGovern: The undersigned represents Plaintiff Lauren Kanarek (“Plaintiff”) in regard to the above matter. Currently returnable March 20, 2020 before Your Honor is Plaintiff’s Order to Show Cause Seeking Temporary Restraints. Please accept this letter brief in response to Defendant’s Opposition. As a preliminary matter, Defendants opposition (and, additionally, his Answer in this matter) admits liability for the tort for which Plaintiff seeks to recover – namely he committed an assault and battery upon Plaintiff. It is now undisputed, by all parties, that Defendant Barisone shot Plaintiff, multiple times. As such, since liability is no longer contested, we respectfully request that this matter be set down for a proof hearing, to establish the quantum of damages to which Plaintiff is entitled.
Bizarrely, Defendant Barisone attempts to qualify shooting Plaintiff with justifications and excuses, alleging (incorrectly) that Plaintiff was a bad tenant, or that she allegedly had online disagreements with allegedly other unidentified people at some unknown time over some unrelated issue. Defendant Barisone’s Answer and Affirmative Defenses echo this, claiming Defendant was not competent at the time of the alleged incident and, as a result, should have no liability to Plaintiff for her injuries, by reason of Barisone’s mental state and/or condition which included but was not limited to battered-personsyndrome cause by Plaintiff’s campaign of emotional battery against Defendant and/or persons in his care. These baseless personal accusations are factually incorrect and legally irrelevant, and even assuming arguendo that they were true (they are not), they are not a justification or legal excuse for shooting someone. In fact, a review of New Jersey case law has failed to uncover a single case where the preferred method of resolving landlord / tenant disputes in this state (or any state) was to shoot and attempt to kill the tenant. Likewise, we have been unable to uncover a single case where a court agreed that, if someone has a disagreement online with another unidentified individual over unrelated matters, the appropriate response is to attempt to murder them. The facts here are simple and undisputed. Defendant Barisone went to Plaintiff’s residence on the day in question, and shot plaintiff multiple times at point blank range. He then turned the gun on Plaintiff’s boyfriend, and shot at him. He was arrested, and remains in Morris County Jail for these crimes. It is also undisputed that Plaintiff suffered grievous injuries, as a result of Defendant’s actions. Defendant’s irrelevant personal accusations are also belied by the facts of this matter. Namely, Defendant Barisone is approximately 6’4” tall, weighing over 200 pounds, which Plaintiff is approximately 5’0” tall, and approximately 100 pounds. And Defendant had a gun. And Defendant went to Plaintiff’s residence, to confront her. And Defendant could have left at any time, instead choosing to attempt to murder two people. As such, it is undisputed that Plaintiff will prevail in this matter, in which liability against Defendant Barisone is no longer contested. In turn, Plaintiff satisfies that criteria set out in Crowe vs. DeGioia, 90 N.J. 126 (1982), namely 1) irreparable harm; 2) settled law in favor of movant; 3) likelihood of success on the merits (uncontroverted material facts); and 4) the balancing of relative hardships in favor of movant. The Supreme Court in that case noted that “severe personal inconvenience can constitute irreparable injury justifying issuance of injunctive relief,” Id. at 133, and that “pecuniary damages may be inadequate because of the nature of the injury or the right effected.” Id. Overriding the aforesaid criteria for the granting of injunctive relief is the equitable principle that temporary relief should always be granted to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of final hearing. See Crowe vs. DeGioia, supra 90 N.J. at 134. As to criteria one, it is even more unlikely now that there will be insurance coverage provided to Defendant Barisone for some (if not all) of his conduct. No evidence has been presented that there is available insurance, and no evidence has been presented of other assets available to satisfy Plaintiff’s considerable claims againt Defendant Barisone’s, beyond his personal assets. Absent immediate injunctive relief, there is no mechanism in place to prevent Defendant Barisone from disbursing his funds, personal property, and assets to third parties, or move them outside the jurisdiction of this Court. This is especially true in this case, as it is understood that the majority of Defendant Barisone’s personal assets are encompassed in movable, alienable personal property, namely expensive show horses. As discussed, this motion seeks practical solution that will prevent this harm. The Court should grant injunctive relief to enjoin Defendant from alienating, encumbering, or otherwise disposing of his assets personal assets. This action would prevent any harm to either party. It would solely maintain the status quote, pending a proof hearing or other resolution of this matter. It would just prevent Defendant from spending, disposing of, or alienating the disputed sums or disbursing them to third parties for which Plaintiff may have no recourse. Absent that injunctive relief, there is nothing to prevent Defendant from transferring, squandering, alienating, or otherwise disposing of Plaintiffs’ interest in the property. Defendant appears to indicate in his opposition papers that he will not dispose of his interest in his personal property. Assuming this is correct, there should be no objection to Plaintiffs request. And there will be no prejudice to Defendant, it will just maintain the status quo. Assuming Defendant Barisone somehow retreats from this position, it is just further proof why the relief is necessary. With regard to the second and third factor, as discussed above the law is well settled, and it is undisputed that Plaintiff will prevail in the case. . This is the most practical and economical approach to prevent any misuse of funds that may occur. If preliminary relief is granted, no one will be harmed as Defendant’s assets will be maintained. Once the Court has rendered its decision, the funds, property, and goods may be released to the proper party. Clearly both parties’ interests are protected and there is no inequity to anyone if preliminary relief is granted. CONCLUSION For all the above cited reasons, it is respectfully requested that the Court grant Plaintiff’s application for preliminary injunctive relief. Specifically, the Court should enter an order for a temporary injunction to enjoin Defendant from alienating, encumbering, or otherwise disposing of his assets personal assets pending the resolution of this litigation.