Yeah, it looks bad for a neighborhood when someone's lawn is overgrown.  And yes, people around this country get mad at their neighbors because of that every single day.  But NO ONE reacts like THIS.

About a week ago, 58-year-old Phillip Bennett of Cartersville, Georgia confronted his neighbor, Marty Corbitt, for letting his grass grow too long.  Over the course of the week, it kept escalating . . . and Phillip even SLAPPED Marty.

Finally, on Wednesday, when Marty STILL hadn't cut the grass, Phillip SNAPPED and told Marty he was going to KILL HIM.  And he meant it.  He SMASHED Marty's window, poured GASOLINE into his house . . . and SET THE HOUSE ON FIRE.

Marty grabbed his three-year-old daughter out of her room and ran.  They were both okay, but they lost EVERYTHING.

Phillip fled.  U.S. Marshals tracked him down yesterday in Murphy, North Carolina.  He's facing a TON of charges including arson, aggravated assault, criminal property damage, cruelty to children, terroristic threats, and more.

Phillip has a criminal history.  He did time for voluntary manslaughter . . . and while he was in prison he hit another inmate with a shovel and RIPPED OFF the guy's NOSE.