One week ago, 7News showed you the fire which completely destroyed the home of 88 year-old Shedrock McKoy at corner of Casuarina and Mahogany Streets. He continues to be housed by his Grand-niece, and has asked the public for assistance to try to rebuild his home. But, since interviews with the media, he's being criticized by a private citizen who claims that he has been untruthful.
Natalie Pitterson has come forward to 7News claiming that McKoy has no title to the property, which he was living on, and that he's only been living there for the past 8 years due to her kindness.
She explained the situation to us in detail in which she says that she have a problem with anyone trying to help him. What she doesn't want is anyone building a new home for him on that land, because he doesn't own it
Natalee Pitterson - Claims Ownership of Land
"I bought the property between 2004 and 2005 from Mr. Shedrock and allowed him to stay on the property after purchasing it and in 2008 I received title for the land. He is like a friend of the family so I didnt want to throw him on the street after buying the land because that wouldn't look good. He is old; at the time he was 80 years old, so I allowed him to stay there. Not knowing that he would even come on the air and say the truth, you undestand me? 'Ok I was only staying here the owner of the property is XYZ'. He just came on the air and said all types of things - far from being the truth. I feel like it wasn't fair for the whole situation to happen the way it happened because I am at a lost. I own the place and I don't think it is fair for him to go back and build anything there. I want him off the property completely. I do not know what to tell the public what to do, you understand me? Ok if they want to continue help funding him since he does not have any property but.."
Daniel Ortiz
"You wouldn't want someone to build a house there saying this is how we want to help you"
Natalee Pitterson
" No, because I am at a lost. When I bought the property I bought it with houses on it. The two houses were occupied. The two storey house and the lower flat that he was accommodating."
And as with any story, there are 2 sides. We asked McKoy for his version today, and he told us that that Pitterson owes him an outstanding $5,000 for the property, and that they had a verbal agreement that he wouldn't relinquish ownership until he passed away.
He explained how the deal was supposed to have worked.
Shedrock McKoy - Defends His Ownership
"I said give me $15,000 for this place and I will live here until I die and she said 'sure'. I said - 'do you agree with that? I don't need to sign any paper? Do we need to show any evidence?' I said 'because there is nothing under the sun that can beat the truth, nothing'. She said 'sure'. So we went to her Mother. The Mother didn't go with her to the bank by Belcan bridge and she withdrew $10,000 and she gave it to me and after she gave me the $10,000 I said remember 'I will live here until I die'. I built it myself. The house was there and eight years passed and I just saw her. Now just imagine; she was not truthful to what she was saying. Not a day did I ask her, ' what happened to my $5,000 dollars?' If we are going to the court, you can deliver this same message to the court I can deliver it live and direct. So I have made up my mind that I have money in that place too. Two thousand dollars went just like that because I did not expect it."
Daniel Ortiz
" So Ms. Pitterson and her Mom owe you $5,000?"
Shedrock McKoy
"Well not her Mom, but she does because her Mom told me if she doesnt pay me the $5,000 she will pay me. Eight years have passed and I never went to their house to ask them about my $5,000."
Daniel Ortiz
"At the this time, Sir, let us say for example the unfortunate situation would have happened that you would have passed away and you were still owed this $5,000; would your family have still relinquished ownership over to Ms. Pitterson?"
Shedrock McKoy
"Your word must be your band."
Daniel Ortiz
"So there would have been no problems?"
Shedrock McKoy
"No problems"
We contacted Pitterson and asked her about McKoy's version, which she flatly denied. She said that she has paid McKoy that outstanding $5,000, and that there was no agreement that he would continue to live there until he passed away. She maintains that she allowed him to continue living there out of generosity.
