ELIZABETH -- A Superior Court judge on Thursday rejected a motion to dismiss the lawsuit regarding the so-called "Watcher" house in Westfield, but also indicated there may be little evidence that the previous owners knew a mysterious person was stalking the home.

In June of 2014, the house was sold to a couple with three young children for $1.35 million. Three days later, the new owners, Derek and Maria Broaddus, received the first of three threatening letters from somebody identifying himself as "The Watcher."

The writer said his grandfather had watched the house in the 1920s, and his father watched it in the 1960s. Over the following weeks, two more letters arrived with the writer asking the new owners if they had brought "young blood" as he had requested, a reference to children.

In chilling phrases, "the Watcher" asked if the owners had found what was in the walls, and said he would call the young blood to him.

The couple refused to moved into the home and instead tried to sell the property, but after a year without success, the couple filed suit against the previous owners, John and Andrea Woods, claiming they were aware of the stalker.

The house was taken off the market but is now up for sale again for less than the buyers paid to purchase it.

Judge Camille M. Kenny on Thursday threw out some of the claims made by the Derek and Maria Broaddus, including their contentions that the Woods intentionally or negligently caused emotional distress when they sold the house in June 2014.

As was disclosed in court, the new owners contacted the Woods shortly after the closing and told them of the first letter they received. Andrea Woods admitted receiving a similar letter, but said it was not threatening and discarded it.

The Woods deny there was anybody watching the house and have filed a counter suit, claiming they have been damaged by the attention resulting from the original suit.

Westfield authorities said police conducted an exhaustive investigation but could not identify who wrote the letters.

In court Thursday, Lee Levitt, the Broaddus' attorney, argued against dismissing the case, claiming there could be more evidence that the Woods knew about the Watcher.

Kenny said the case hinged on the letter that the prior owners received.

"The linchpin of this case is that one letter," Kenny said, noting that Andrea Woods had disclosed the letter she received and had gone to police with Maria Broaddus to make a report after closing on the house.

While refusing to dismiss the case, Kenny said, if that one "non-threatening" letter is the only information the sellers had about "The Watcher," the Woods may seek a summary judgement of the case in their favor.

Levitt had argued that the Woods were required to disclose their knowledge of boisterous harassing neighbor.

Richard Kaplow, the Woods' lawyer, said state law did not require his clients to disclose an off-site social condition.

Kenny, in a related decision, dismissed the Broaddus' claims against a real estate agent from Coldwell Banker. The company was named as a defendant in the suit and was accused of consumer fraud and inflicting emotional distress.

Levitt, when asked about Kenny's ruling, said he did not think it was done in a favorable light to his clients, and said he appeal the ruling concerning Coldwell Banker.

Kaplow said his clients were seeking a dismissal.

"I don't think (the lawsuit) should ever have been brought," he said.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.