Driscoll v. Harrison

After the tenant Harrison struck the landlord Driscoll's son (Frank) with a four-foot long closet pole, Driscoll applied to the rent board of Boston for an eviction certificate, alleging nuisance and just cause under St. 1970, c. 842, § 9(a)(3) and (10), and c. 3, tit. 10, § 108(a)(iii) and (x), of the Ordinances of the City of Boston.2 The board de*445nied the application on the nuisance ground, but it issued a certificate for just cause. Claiming that he had acted in self-defense, Harrison appealed to the Boston Division of the Housing Court Department, St. 1970, c. 842, § 10, and G. L. c.…