Residents: Neighbor making death threat

SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) - Residents living at a low-income public housing complex for the elderly and disabled said a neighbor has repeatedly harassed, stalked, and even made death threats, but they've had no help in evicting him.

"He thinks he's talking to some type of demon," said concerned resident Peter Bonkemeyer, who contacted KRQE News 13, saying he felt going public was his only option. "He climbs trees with almost no clothes on."

Bonkemeyer, who is disabled, said he was so frustrated he broke out his video camera and posted one of the encounters with his neighbor, Henry Reichenbach, on YouTube.

He was out walking his dog Monday night at the Vista Montano Apartments in Socorro, when Bonkemeyer said Reichenbach was waiting for him.

"He follows, stalks," said Bonkemeyer.

The video shows Reichenbach quickly grows upset he's being recorded. He is heard swearing and making threats.

"He just threatened to kill me. He's all in my face," Bonkemeyer told police, which is also heard on the video.

Bonkemeyer said an officer looked at the video but did not file charges. He said he has reported Reichenbach to police, but nothing has been done.

Reichenbach as been charged in the past with non-violent crimes like disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance, but he's always let go.

"There was an issue of Mr. Reichenbach's competency to stand trial," said Reichenbach's one-time defense attorney Stephen Kortemeier.

He represented Reichenbach for a disorderly conduct charge in 2010.

Kortemeier said because his client was found incompetent and because his crimes have not been violent, the courts routinely dismiss the cases. Courts can only commit an incompetent person to a mental institution once they've committed a violent crime, such as rape or murder. Kortemeier admits it's a flaw in the system.

"We do nothing until someone pays the ultimate price," said Kortemeier.

Bonkemeyer said he feels defenseless.

"He goes absolutely nuts, and it's a scary thing to watch," said Bonkemeyer.

The Socorro Housing Authority and residents have tried to evict Reichenbach, but a judge dismissed it, citing a lack of prosecution. Another eviction hearing has been scheduled for next week.