Man accused of killing brother released on bail
Having paid $25,000, a man accused of murdering his brother nearly 24 years ago has been granted bail.
Joseph George Thauberger, who is to turn 79 next month, is accused of first-degree murder in the death of Dr. Patrick Cyril Thauberger, an offence alleged to have happened on or about Sept. 3, 1997. Joseph is also accused of offering an indignity to Patrick's remains and of uttering a threat to a woman to cause her death. The latter charge is dated from between the date of Patrick's death and Jan. 1, 2014.
Joseph originally applied for bail at Regina Court of Queen's Bench but was denied. He subsequently took the matter to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal where, on Friday, it was to be heard by a three-judge panel.
Instead of requiring a decision by the panel, however, the Crown consented to Joseph's release on an interim basis “pending trial.”
Among numerous release conditions, Joseph was to provide a cash deposit of $25,000 which he provided Monday, securing his release. According to court documents, he was in hospital at the time he was released from custody.
Among other conditions, Joseph is to attend court as required; report to a bail supervision officer upon his discharge from hospital; report to a named member of the Regina Police Service; live where approved and not change the address without permission; maintain a 24-hour curfew; not contact a number of named individuals, refer to them on social media or attend their homes, workplaces or places of education; and not possess weapons, including knives — the latter while outside his residence.
The release also includes a condition he be placed on a GPS monitoring bracelet at his own expense.
During previous court appearances, Joseph has repeatedly expressed concerns about his health and said being held on remand was doing nothing to help.
According to previously reported information, Patrick, 53, was reported missing in September 1997, shortly after the St. Albert, Alta.-based clinical psychologist stopped in Regina to visit family.
While a police investigation was launched, the file eventually became a cold case. It wasn't until November 2020 that city police announced a major break in the case had led to charges being laid.
Shortly after, police said they'd found human remains believed to belong to Patrick in a rural location.
Last month, police announced the remains had been confirmed as those of Patrick.