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I lived in a house that was shared with the landlord and other tenants in common. I have now moved out and have a lawsuit started against the landlord. From "rumors" I heard that a previous tenant who got kicked out did not get his damage deposit or furniture back. (Call him Joe.) I managed to contact Joe and he confirmed this to be true. I too was kicked out and didn't get my damage deposit and have at least one piece of furniture unreturned.

In what way can I use Joe's story? For example could it be considered a testimony or corroboration or some piece of evidence saying that the landlord had done similar things in the past? Can Joe and I form some sort of legal team?

How can a person with a similar experience with the defendant, help the plaintiff in a lawsuit?

You may bring Joe as witness or present some sworn testimony from him. That could be in the form of affidavit, deposition transcript, or by testifying in court.

In what way can I use Joe's story?

Joe's testimony will be relevant to the extent that it proves the defendant's pattern of conduct or system for doing a thing. Many (if not all) jurisdictions in the U.S. had a provision similar to Michigan Rule of Evidence 404(b)(1):

Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts [...] may, however, be
admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity,
intent, preparation, scheme, plan, or system in doing an act [...]
when the same is material, whether [they] are contemporaneous, or
prior or subsequent to the conduct at issue in the case.

Thus, Joe's testimony would not prove your entire claim, but it can discredit important aspects of defendant's foreseeable denials in your matter.

In some way the suggestion in the other answer makes sense, but I would discourage you from bringing suit together with Joe. That is because, despite all similarities, your claim are Joe's claim are different instances:

• Each cause of action stemmed from a separate contract;


• each contract/cause involves a different plaintiff;


• the statute of limitations of each wrong started running at different
  times;


• and your history with the defendant might differ from Joe's history
  with him on relevant aspects in a way that could prejudice you.

Furthermore, if the defendant requests that the suits be separated, you and Joe would have no persuasive arguments on why your matters should remain consolidated.

Lastly, the mere fact that a complaint is filed by two or more plaintiffs will not prompt a judge to act with honesty or with competence.

You and Joe could sue the landlord together, each claiming their own.

Or you could call Joe as a witness. The court might be unwilling to admit Joe's testimony as it does not directly relate to your claim, but it's worth trying.