Accused landlord couple remains jailed,
banned from their building

By Ari Burack

April 25, 2008

A Palo Alto landlord couple accused of harassing their tenants in a South of Market District apartment building remains in jail today after being denied a bail reduction in San Francisco Superior Court, and was also banned from approaching the tenants or the premises.

Kip Macy, 33, and Nicole Macy, 32, are facing a slew of felony charges, including stalking, residential burglary, conspiracy and grand theft. They were arrested Tuesday in Palo Alto after a six-month investigation by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

The couple purchased the Clementina Street building in 2005, according to the district attorney’s office.

According to prosecutors, the couple was trying to evict one tenant and in September 2006 allegedly had workers cut support beams underneath the tenant’s apartment and cut holes through the floor while the tenant was in the apartment. In addition, they allegedly turned off the tenant’s power and cut the phone line.

Other tenants living in another unit of the building allegedly had their apartment burglarized by the couple while they were out, in June 2007, according to prosecutors. In that case, the Macys are alleged to have gone in, removed belongings, stolen cash, and dumped liquid ammonia on their clothing, bedding and electronics equipment. Threatening letters were also allegedly left at their apartment door.

An attorney for the Macys this morning asked Judge Garrett Wong to reduce their bail from $350,000 each to $100,000, arguing the couple had no prior criminal history, except one misdemeanor case involving Kip Macy.

Assistant District Attorney Max Peltz, arguing against a bail reduction, contended, “All the victims and witnesses (in this case) are very afraid for their lives.”

Wong refused to lower bail, but allowed defense attorneys to return to argue their case after he receives a formal motion in writing. The couple is scheduled to return to court May 2 to hear the motion, and may enter pleas in the case at that time.

Wong also signed protective orders today requiring the Macys to stay away from six of the alleged victims and witnesses, as well as the apartment building.

FCJ Editor

More Posts