N.S. cross-burning targets leaving area

An interracial couple in Hants County, N.S., who first had a cross burned on their lawn followed by the destruction of their car in a suspicious fire, has decided to move away from their small community.

Shayne Howe and his partner, Michelle Lyon, said Wednesday they are fed up and scared, so they've decided to leave Poplar Grove,  just outside the town of Windsor.

"Torching our car — that's enough. That was the goal to say OK, we're leaving, we're not taking any more chances," Howe said.

"The cops said, 'Well, they're not going to do nothing, nothing's going to happen no more.' Well, it did. They torched our car, so we're not taking any more chances. "

The couple had considered moving after discovering a two-metre-high cross burning on their front lawn on Feb. 21. But support from community members changed their mind.

Then Saturday morning, their Toyota Echo was set on fire in a relative's driveway — just two days before brothers Nathan and Justin Rehberg were to be in court to answer charges in the cross-burning case.

Justin Rehberg, 19, pleaded not guilty on Monday, while his brother Nathan, 20, did not enter any pleas.

The Rehbergs are charged with criminal harassment, public incitement of hatred, mischief and uttering threats.

Police say they have no suspects in the car fire.       

Michelle Lyon is devastated by the decision to move because she built the house.

"It's a heartache for me. I'm going to lose my house. I've lost my car, I'm not willing to lose anything else, so I'm out," she said.

The car had only collision coverage, so the couple is out its value of about $4,000 or $5,000. They need to buy another car to get their seven kids around, so they're putting off their July wedding.

"I'm just moving so my kids and my family is safe, so the property that we worked so hard for is safe, too," Howe said. "It's not about giving up, it's about worrying about your family."

It's not known where the family will go.