I have had others strip the house literally to the studs.. take their wows out on the house and you.So do approach them very gently and ask them what their plan is as you will need possession. based on their response will give you your next course of action.

We purchased this property because of all the intrinsic potential it possesses.

What did you possess that allowed you to succeed?

Following that up with when you have the benefit of ownership of real property - it isn't until you actually have taken possession of the property.So then, the question comes, when that redemption period closes at the end of 12 months, does your holding period start with when you acquired the right to collect the delinquent taxes and interest?

The owner gets cash, the investor signs a sales contract with the owner, and then proceeds to redeem the property and takes possession through a regular sales transaction.  

I have gathered that the smartest way forward is to team up with others who possess knowledge and experience that I do not so thats what I am doing here. 

I'd also try calling the court house (or whoever issued the writ of possession) and ask them about options explaining that your calls to the marshall's office go no where.

I'd ask a different lawyer what my options were and if there is any consideration I might receive from "adverse possession". 

I confronted him and he stated I owe him for throwing away his family possessions.

If the new people want the unit prior to the end of the current tenant's lease, I would tell them they would have to pay the daily rent beginning the day they got the key and took possession.