Yellowknife (Sep 24/04) - Charges were stayed last Friday against two men from Lutsel K'e previously named in a 29-year-old rape case.

Henry Lockhart and Stanley Paul Desjarlais Sr. had their charges stayed Sept. 17. The trial of Antoine Michel, Noel Michel, and Raymond Marlowe began Monday. Crown prosecutor Caroline Carrasco declined to comment on the move.

Section 579(1) of the Canadian Criminal Code allows the Attorney General or "counsel directed by him" to stay proceedings at any time before a judgment of the charge. The Crown has one year to reactivate the charge.

When this limit expires, "the proceedings shall be deemed never to have been commenced," and the former accused will have no charge listed against him.