"Both of these patients have a history ofhaving received psychiatric or psychologicaltreatment," Sandler said. He refused to givefurther details.

Upon questioning, Contescu and Dunn admitted tohaving received therapy.

Dunn said she went to the mental-servicesdivision at University Health Services while anemployee at the Kennedy School of Government. "Theanxiety and anger resulting from this can reallysend you off on a bit of a tizzy," Dunn said lastnight. "God knows, I've had the legal and moralvindication, but I really realize that [Harrop]did damage my life."

Contescu, a Romanian immigrant, said shesuffered from inadequate public housing as a childand is "very stuck on living in the same place forvery long periods of time."

"It traumatizes me if I have to move," Contescuadded. "The stress just got to me and I enteredtherapy because of Dr. Harrop and the eviction. Ithas completely turned my life upside down forthree years."

But the two tenants maintain that the issue isone of fairness and honesty. "Why should somebodytrampled over my rights and get what they want?"Contescu asked.

"Maybe this isn't the biggest, grossestmiscarriage of justice that happened to the mostunfortunate people in the whole world," Dunn said."But this was a case of injustice that happened tous, and it shouldn't have happened."

Contescu's and Dunn's civil suit, filed in June1994, seeks more than $300,000 in damages fromdiminished earnings, increased rent, therapy andemotional distress. They have already obtained anattachment, or lien, of $50,000 from Harrop's saleof the house last year. The money is held inescrow for damages, in the event that Contescu andDunn win.

A hearing will be held in Middlesex CountySuperior Court on February 28 to determine whetherthe Sigma Chi national body can be sued. A trialdate has been set for late August