Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/04) - A Yellowknife man who inherited a massive drug debt following the murder of a suspected cocaine dealer was sentenced to three years in prison last week.

In Supreme Court April 1, Travis Harold Bourke, 28, pleaded guilty to 11 charges, including three counts each of assault with a weapon and unlawful confinement, and one count each of assault, pointing a firearm, breach of probation, assaulting a police officer and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He originally faced 25 charges, but 14 were withdrawn.

The charges are in connection with an Oct. 29, 2003, incident in which Bourke forced his way into a 51st Street house, held three men at gunpoint, and demanded a paint can that he believed contained $12,000.

According to information entered in court, Bourke told police he needed the money to repay a $150,000 drug debt he inherited after the murder of Justin Hai Van Vo, a reputed crack-cocaine dealer whose charred remains were found near the Yellowknife River Bridge in June 2003.

During his roughly hour-long stay at the 51st Street house, Bourke repeatedly threatened the three men inside, telling them "I'll (expletive deleted) kill you," Crown attorney Loretta Colton told the court.

But shortly after, he put a sawed-off 22-calibre rifle to the man's head and pulled the trigger. The chamber was empty and the police later discovered the weapon was not loaded.

Following the incident at the house, Bourke took a taxi to the Ptarmigan Apartments where he was staying with two other men.

During the course of what turned out to be a three-hour standoff, an intoxicated Bourke repeatedly appeared on the balcony, dropped his pants and yelled at police.

Once officers were sure the two other men in the apartment with Bourke had been let go, the Emergency Response Team entered and took Bourke into custody.

Back at the detachment, Bourke became combative and bit one officer on the hand before being shocked with a taser, said Colton.

In court, Colton and Bourke's defence lawyer Jim Brydon suggested a sentence of three years in prison.

"There is a concern for the safety of the public," said Colton.

Bourke was also banned from using a firearm for life, except for hunting.