Christian “Landlord From Hell” Pushed Muslim Tenant Down Stairs, Sentenced to Jail and Reeducation

The story painted in decision SJC 11957 is of a dispute between the landlord on the one hand alleging excessive water use, noise, and too many residents, and the tenant on the other hand alleging sanitary code violations and discrimination.

48393820 - vintage stair

Seventy-one year old Somerville Landlord Daisy Obi evidently pushed tenant Gilhan Suliman down the stairs in summer 2012.

When police arrived on the scene, Suliman had a torn ligament in her shoulder and a bloody lip. The police arrested Obi.

Obi had several restraining orders out against her at the time, one of which had been filed by Suliman.

On June 2, 2014, a jury trial convicted Obi of criminal assault and battery.

The judge imposed a sentence with three parts: 1.) Two years’ jail, six months to serve, the rest on probation; 2.) written disclosure to all future tenants that she has been convicted of assault and battery, and 3.) a class on Islam.

Obi is Christian. Suliman is Muslim. Suliman stated in court that Obi had shouted anti-muslim comments at her.

The Orwellian sentence for reeducation is to take place at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Extension School, or the Islamic Society of Boston. Although this played a role in oral arguments, which can be watched online at Suffolk Law (30 minutes), the SJC demurred in their written decision. They state that Obi’s defense did not raise the reeducation sentence as an objection during her initial appeal, so the SJC cannot, on procedural grounds, consider this particular aspect of sentencing. By default, it is reaffirmed.

The SJC did consider the two other components of the sentence and in their decision, stated that they found the sentence to be fair.

It is not clear whether Obi must take the class on Islam before or after jail. At some point, she is required to file proof with the court of having taken it.