Rob Rutherford, who has been accused of damaging a sculpted deer in front of Idyllwild Inn earlier this year, had his hearing for violation of probation, for a previous offense, re-scheduled to June 29. Riverside County Superior Court agreed to the deferral since he is in a residential rehabilitation facility.

The notes from the May 19 scheduled hearing stated, “Court orders defendant present at the next hearing unless the program does not allow him to leave. Court orders a written update from the rehabilitation facility.”

The damaged deer was one of 22 painted deer sculptures the Art Alliance of Idyllwild placed throughout Idyllwild and PineCove. The initial story of the damage to this deer was reported in the Feb. 12 issue of the Town Crier.

During the following week, Rutherford called the paper and denied his involvement in the incident. However, the California Highway Patrol had his license plate number and made an arrest the night of the incident.

He stressed that it was not his car, although two CHP officers reported that the car that appeared to damage the deer is registered to Rutherford. He did not respond to this statement.