Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 26/04) - In what Crown attorneys hope is the first in a series of dominoes to fall, a Yellowknife man admitted his role in the death of a local drug dealer last summer.

Richard Tutin is In protective custody due to a series of death threats he has received since agreeing to co-operate with police. - NNSL file photo

Under heavy security in the wake of several death threats, Richard Tutin, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of accessory to murder after the fact, Thursday in territorial court.

Tutin also agreed to testify against two other men charged in connection with the slaying of reputed crack-cocaine dealer Justin Hai Van Vo. Vo's charred body was found by police near the Yellowknife River Bridge on June 16, 2003.

Francis Yukon and Gerald Delorme have each been charged with first degree murder in the case.

A fourth man, Dale Coutoreille, is also facing accessory charges and will appear in court next Thursday.

Tutin, a former tattoo artist and heavy duty mechanic, was originally charged with first degree murder, but the Crown's office reduced the charge after he agreed to co-operate.

A temporary publication ban has been put in place regarding the circumstances surrounding Tutin's involvement in the murder pending the conclusion of the other cases.

"Yellowknife is a small community. There is a concern that publication of the facts ... may taint the jury pool," said Justice Virginia Schuler.

Tutin is expected to be back in court early next week for sentencing. Crown attorney Noel Sinclair recommended a prison term of three to five years, while Tutin's lawyer James Brydon countered with a proposal of three years minus 18 months credit for time Tutin has already spent in custody.

In the meantime, Tutin will be held at the RCMP detachment instead of the Yellowknife Correctional Centre because of concerns about his safety.

Series of death threats

The 44-year-old and his family have received a series of death threats after he agreed to co-operate with the police and the Crown attorney's office.

Tutin has spent most of the last nine months at an undisclosed prison in Western Canada, under lockdown 23 1/2 hours a day.

He was only allowed out of his cell to shower and attend church services.

His conversations with Brydon were also closely monitored.