OUCH! I really feel for you. Isn't it terrible how someone else can ruin something you have obviously enjoyed over a long period of time.

Just reading this, and I don't know this other guy, but maybe you have been suckered into buying a new jet for the guy, who was sick of his 6 year old one which may or may not be having troubles??? It may be a scam where he rigged the jet to go in. I am sure there are many ways this could be done. It sounds as if his sole purpose of getting someone else to fly his plane, including very fast serving of court papers, is to get money (including having a guy front up to court to bad mount you). I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't trust my very expensive piece of equipment to someone I didn't know well, and from what you say, he didn't know you apart from a few jet meets by sight. It all sounds very suspect to me, but I do love conspiracy theories!

Sorry to hear about your problem, I don't see any easy solution. Can you appeal the verdict? They always seem to be able to appeal the verdict on big cases? Is it different in small claims court? Maybe it is time to get legal help (or maybe you should have before the trial).

Good luck.

Tim.