BY ASHLEY THOMPSON
Windsor District RCMP is on the hunt for Nathan Neil Rehberg, the eldest of two brothers accused of torching a cross on the lawn of an interracial couple last February.
The 20-year-old man was due to appear in Supreme Court in Windsor June 9 to set a trial date, but failed to appear.
Supreme Court Justice Arthur LeBlanc issued a warrant for the arrest after Rehberg’s grandparents, Darrell and Marianne Boutilier, withdrew as sureties on his behalf.
Rehberg’s lawyer, Luke Craggs, first learned of the Boutiliers’ desire to be legally pardoned of accountability for the defendant at 9:35 a.m., shortly after the Supreme Court proceeding began.
Craggs says the Boutiliers’ revocation of responsibility does not necessarily mean Rehberg will remain in custody for long once apprehended.
“He has family support other than his grandparents, so I’m sure there are other people who would be willing to help him out,” he said.
“Whether or not those people are appropriate is something that will have to be decided by the judge (during a bail hearing).”
On March 2, the Boutiliers posted $5,000 bail to secure the conditional release of Nathan and 19-year-old Justin Chad Rehberg. The couple agreed to strictly enforce the rules outlining the boys’ release, which include a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, avoiding drugs and alcohol, steering clear of Avon View High School and not going within 500 metres of the targeted home.
Shayne Howe, one of the victims of the alleged hate crime, says the Boutiliers’ retraction of bail is proof Rehberg “should not have been out on surety in the first place.”
Howe says he’s growing more comfortable at home with time, and the community support has been uplifting, but his partner Michelle Lyon and their five children are having a hard time coping.
Lyon admits they are “prepping the house to move,” but nothing is for certain. She says they will continue to attend court hearings until they feel justice has been served and someone has been held accountable for the flaming cross that has caused their family such great unrest.
Nathan Rehberg is due in court for trial by judge and jury Nov. 8. He faces charges of incitement of hatred, mischief, uttering threats and criminal harassment
Justin Rehberg continues to reside at his grandparents’ home in Garlands Crossing. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court Oct. 18.
The RCMP are asking that anyone with information on the location of Nathan Rehberg to contact the Windsor District RCMP at 798-2207 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) . If your anonymous tip leads to an arrest you could qualify for a cash award between $50 and $2000.
