Apartment residents allegedly spied upon through peepholes experienced nightmares, embarrassment and fantasies of violent revenge, their attorney told a Douglas County jury Wednesday.

“We’re talking about the harm that people feel when something extreme happens,” said Peter Jouras, who is representing eight former residents of Parkway Terrace Apartments.

The residents filed civil lawsuits seeking damages of $250,000 or more against William J. Lemesany and his wife, Mary Lemesany, owners of the apartment complex in the 2300 block of Murphy Drive. The lawsuits allege invasion of privacy and negligence.

A seven-woman, five-man jury began hearing testimony in a trial before Douglas County District Court Judge Jack Murphy.

In his opening statement, Jouras showed a videotape made by plaintiff Jason Schnabel and enlarged photos from the Lawrence Police of the holes made in the walls.

Residents of the apartment complex in January 1999 discovered the holes, which appear to be about the size of a nail hole on the apartment walls. They allowed someone to see into bedrooms and bathrooms from maintenance hallways between apartments.

Sweat stains were found around the peepholes as if someone had pressed against the walls, Jouras said. Semen stains were found on the floors.

“This is no game of teenage boys running around peeping,” Jouras said.

Craig Blumreich, one of the attorneys representing the Lemesanys, said the Lemesanys admitted liability in the lawsuits. The jury is to determine what is fair compensation.

Blumreich also said none of the plaintiffs had sought help from mental health professionals about the effect the discoveries had on them.

“None sought medical treatment,” he said. “Not one of them even talked to a personal doctor about the horrible damages.”

All of the plaintiffs filed individual lawsuits against the Lemesanys in the months after the discoveries. The lawsuits have been joined for purposes of the trial.

The plaintiffs for the civil case are Joe Brandenburger, Amy Miller, Christine Prescott, Steven Squire, Alexander and Rhonda Valverde, Pete Kay and Schnabel. All are expected to testify.

Other lawsuits have been filed against the Lemesanys, and some have been settled.

After a police investigation, William Lemesany was charged in October 2000 with 10 counts of eavesdropping for spying on residents.

During a hearing before Murphy last month, Lemesany requested a bench trial. Murphy received written witness testimony and will hear DNA evidence Oct. 16.