Testimony starts in Stoneledge trial

In an Oconee courtroom, homeowners at a Lake Keowee townhome development have started to register their unhappiness with water intrusion and other problems plaguing their development. Plaintiffs’ testimony began today in what could be a civil trial that runs as long as two weeks. Among those testifying was a retired Long Island, New York insurance agent who became one of the first owners at what today is called Stoneledge at Lake Keowee near Ebenezer Road. Steven Taylor said he and his wife had high hopes for the new development when they chose to buy their retirement home and move there in 2003. Earlier one of the defense attorneys predicted that a key question for the jury will be which plan for repairs is the best and at what cost. Wednesday or Thursday could see testimony from the Westminster-based professional engineer Derek Hodgin who, after inspecting Stoneledge townhomes, has written a repair plan. It’s a plan that carries a price tag of $4.5 million, according to Allen Belcher, attorney for Bostic Brothers Construction, one of the defendants.