Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( May 15/00) - Two Yellowknife women facing fraud charges will stand trial after their preliminary inquiry wrapped up Friday in territorial court.

Judge Michel Bourassa said Crown counsel Mark Scrivens supplied sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on the charges of fraud, theft and breach of trust for Ethel Liske and Helen Edjericon, two former employees of the Dene Nation.

Both were charged last August after $90,000 was found missing following an audit of the office's books.

"The burden on the Crown at this stage is to establish that there is sufficient evidence," Bourassa said after the hearing.

"I'm satisfied the Crown has provided sufficient evidence and order the accused to stand trial."

Testimony was heard from two witnesses when the inquiry began May 2 and from Grand Chief of the Dene Nation Bill Erasmus during its continuation May 5.

Due to a publication ban the evidence submitted by witnesses cannot be reported until the matter goes to trial. A date has yet to be set.