A new plea date has been set for the two Hants County men accused in February’s cross-burning incident.
Neither of the Rehberg brothers Nathan, 20, or Justin, 19, were present for the plea hearing scheduled for today at Windsor Provincial Court today.
Instead, Legal Aid lawyer Karen Armour made the request to adjourn the hearing to allow two new defense lawyers in the case time to make full disclosure. A new plea date has been set for Friday, March 12.
The brothers face charges of criminal harassment and incitement to hated.
A new lawyer from the Crown Attorney’s office has also been assigned to the case. Senior Crown Counsel Darrell Carmichael will replace Public Prosecutor Bill Ferguson.
The decision to remove Ferguson was made by Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Western Region Ingrid Brodie who met with Michelle Lyons and Shane Howe late last week.
Howe said he was relieved by that decision. “The Crown (Brodie) listened to what we had to say and that is what we we’re looking for.”
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The couple accused Ferguson of not protecting their interests in the case.
“We felt he wasn’t standing our ground; he never once contacted us. We just felt we needed someone else in there.”
Today the Lyons and Howe children continue to live at the family home in Avondale and attend school locally.
Lyons said a newly-installed security system has helped ease fears.
“My nerves are not as bad as they were. I’m feeling more calm and getting my thoughts together so I can get things done,” Howe said.
The pair said they would continue to fight for justice. “We are getting an education on the justice system works that’s for sure. We will take things step by step,” he said.
