Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Crown prosecutors are deciding whether a Behchoko teen will face a second-degree murder charge or one for manslaughter relating to the death of a man at a Behchoko video store on Nov. 13.

The 17-year-old accused made a brief appearance in Yellowknife territorial court on Monday afternoon.

He is charged with the death of Johnny Dryneck, 38.

The accused, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, sat hunched over in the prisoners' dock during the court hearing. Defence attorney Jay Bran said he had spoken with the youth and he was granted an adjournment to Dec. 1 by deputy judge Michel Bourassa.

The youth is also facing a charge of breaching the terms of his probation. He is being held at the North Slave Young Offenders Facility in Yellowknife. Following Monday's court hearing, prosecutor Shannon Smallwood said the Crown was still waiting on more information from the police. She wouldn't say whether the charge laid will be second-degree murder or manslaughter.

"I expect by (Dec. 1) there will be more information from the RCMP," Smallwood said.

The maximum imprisonment the 17-year-old could receive if he is sentenced as a youth is three years for manslaughter or seven years for second-degree murder.

Smallwood said there is "a possibility" the youth could be sentenced as an adult. The maximum sentence for manslaughter and second-degree murder for adults is life in prison - 25 years behind bars before eligibility for parole.

Dryneck's first cousin, John Gon, arrived too late for the court appearance.

"I was curious to see what he looked like and what was happening with the accused," said Gon.

He said he didn't know if Dryneck knew the youth.

"Apparently the investigation is still ongoing," he said of what information he has received on the case. "I'm waiting on the circumstances of what happened."

The youth is charged in relation to an incident at Our Video store in Behchoko on Thursday night. Sources at the scene that night told News/North that Dryneck and another individual were arguing outside the store and went inside where Dryneck was shoved into glass shelving. People at the store said the argument was over money.

Dryneck was taken by emergency personnel to Mary Adele Bishop Health Centre in Behchoko and then to Yellowknife's Stanton Territorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Dryneck's older sister, Mary Rose, said her family has gotten together since the death.

"We are taking it very hard. It's a shock," she said. "We never thought it would happen to him."

She said people from around the community - including many elders - have expressed how upset they are about Dryneck's death.

"The community is supporting us. They are coming to my uncle's house. It has been very hard on all of us," she said.

"They all loved my brother."

- with files from Herb Mathisen