Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 26/04) - A man facing 25 charges in connection with an armed standoff last fall is expected to plead guilty to some of the offences when he returns to court next month.

Travis Harold Bourke made a brief appearance in Supreme Court Thursday morning, where his lawyer said some difficulties arose in compiling an agreed statement of facts -- a precursor to a guilty plea -- with the Crown attorney's office.

"There are some issues that still need to be worked out," said James Brydon, Bourke's lawyer.

Bourke was scheduled to appear in court to plead guilty to some of the charges and receive his sentence, Brydon said.

His plea and sentencing hearing were postponed to April 1 to give Brydon and Crown attorney Loretta Colton a chance to work out the details of the incident for the agreed statement of facts.

Bourke, 27, was arrested Oct. 29, 2003, following a five-hour standoff with police at a downtown apartment complex.

He's facing 25 separate charges including pointing a firearm, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement robbery and assaulting a peace officer.