by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 05/97) - Wing Lee has been ordered to stand trial for charges relating to weapons and gambling.

And a preliminary hearing into pornography and sex charges against the 61-year-old man will remain open to the public, even though videotapes being used as evidence in the hearing will be viewed by the court.

Territorial court Judge Briar Bruser ruled Wednesday that there is enough evidence to allow charges relating to weapons and gambling to proceed to Supreme Court.

That evidence includes numerous exhibits and testimony from RCMP officers involved in the Five Aces Social Club bust in late May.

Wing Lee is charged with operating a common gaming house, carrying a concealed weapon and improper storage of handguns and ammunition.

A preliminary hearing relating to sex and pornography charges began late Wednesday, but was adjourned until the following afternoon to allow Lee's lawyer, James Brydon, time to view videotapes that allegedly depict sexual acts featuring girls who were under the age of 18 at the time.

The complainants are now between the ages of 13 and 20.

The public has not been excluded from attending the preliminary hearing, which will deal with sex and porn charges, even though testimony from the young girls will be heard.

"The public has a right to be present unless there are certain conditions for exclusion of the public," Bruser said.

Bruser did order that the court's television be screened off from the public while showing videotapes of alleged child pornography.

He also said that young people should be excluded from attending any part of testimony.