Lawsuit Lights Up Court Print
Wednesday, December 05 2018

An Idaho couple has won a lawsuit against their Homeowner's Association that allegedly referred to their Christmas holiday light display as a "nuisance."

According to news reports, Jeremy and Kristy Morris lit up their yard for the holiday season with over 200,000 lights, masses of carolers and a real-life nativity scene, complete with a live camel. After receiving a letter from their Homeowner's Association trying to shut them down because their "beliefs were in conflict with neighbors," they sued, claiming they were "unlawfully discriminated against based on their religion."

In the suit, the Homeowner's Association denied the discrimination, saying the display was in violation of the association's governing rules that restrict "offensive noise," "increased traffic," and "excessively bright lights." However, audio played in court contradicted that statement, resulting in a jury award of $75,000 in damages.

The Morris family is not doing the house this year, but Jeremy is looking for another location because a big part of the event is a fundraiser for childhood cancer.

"This was about freedom of religion and property, and we hope this doesn't happen to anyone. Because there's going to be a federal lawsuit at the end of it," says Jeremy.

Source: abc7ny.com