Lowell Housing Authority v. Melendez

On May 11, 2005, the defendant, armed with an eight-inch kitchen knife, assaulted and attempted to rob a patron in a convenience store located approximately one mile from the Lowell Housing Authority (LHA) development where he was a tenant.1 The LHA commenced a summary process action against the defendant under provisions of the lease requiring tenants to *35refrain from certain criminal activity and authorizing termination by reason of criminal activity “that threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of any LHA housing development by the other tenants.” A judge in the Housing…