The State : Drug Dealings Prompt Suit

A woman and her son have filed suit in small claims court contending that a landlord failed to help stop drug dealers from overrunning their apartment complex in Berkeley. At a court hearing on the charges, Joanna and Dorian Spencer argued that instead of helping rid the four-unit building of dealers and users, landlord George Dotson is trying to evict the Spencers for being troublemakers. Spencer, 50, a single mother, said her fight has led to threats on her life by drug dealers. Dotson defended his attempt to evict her, saying dope dealers have infested the entire southwest Berkeley area and that his complex is no worse than any other. A ruling on the case is expected in two weeks.