Yellowknife (June 20/03) - Justin Hai Van Vo had a date in territorial court for the day after his burned body was found near the Yellowknife River bridge.

There were 10 charges against the 35-year-old Vietnamese man, including assault, possession of a narcotic, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of property obtained by crime.

Known on the streets as Woody, Vo was described by one source as a king pin in Yellowknife's thriving cocaine trade. He was described as a small Asian man, barely over 5 feet tall and about 100 pounds.

Monday, the day a city worker found Vos smouldering corpse, RCMP searched cars at the Fort Providence ferry and stopped traffic at the Yellowknife River bridge to question drivers.

Police are calling the death a homicide, but are not releasing details about the gruesome discovery, or a possible motive for Yellowknifes first murder of 2003.

Asked if Vos death was drug-related, Yellowknife detachment commander Insp. Paul Richards said police are considering all avenues. There was not one specific thing they were focusing on.

Yellowknife detachment officers, G Division's major crime unit and forensic identification unit are working on the case.

Police have made the rounds of city bars, asking questions.

Richards said they are trying to recreate what happened in the final hours of the mans life.

Vo worked as a janitor in 1996 when Judge Michel Bourassa found him guilty of possession of cocaine and sentenced him to 30 days in jail.