Edgartown District Court Judge Paul Pino ordered the release of Michael Rebello’s medical and screening, assessment, referral, and follow-up (SARF) records during a Zoom motion hearing Friday.
In September 2020, Rebello was arrested after allegedly crashing into several vehicles with his car while driving near Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs.
Oak Bluffs Police charged Rebello with operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, three counts of leaving the scene of property damage, a marked lanes violation, and a seatbelt violation. Rebello pleaded not guilty in Edgartown District Court soon after he was arrested.
During Friday’s hearing, the prosecution moved to request that the records be released on grounds that currently retained records are incomplete, and a more complete picture should be provided to the court.
Defense attorney Ryan Searle, representing Rebello, objected to the motion, and said she doesn’t think the information contained in the records is relevant. “I was looking at the toxicology reports from the crime lab that the commonwealth provided to me. The crime lab tested his blood for alcohol and other illicit substances. I’m not sure what the commonwealth is looking for by requesting these records, when they already have the evidence that they would presumably be requesting,” Searle said.
Judge Pino allowed the motion, and ruled that both the defense and prosecution be allowed to inspect the newly released records.
Searle said it will take about 45 days to get the records from the hospital. Rebello is scheduled to be in court next on August 23.
