Yellowknife (Oct 06/04) - The man accused of stabbing an 18-year-old in the neck during a bloody fight last Thursday was sent to hospital in Edmonton the following day under police escort.

Jamie Martens, 20, was charged with aggravated assault after the fight outside Circle K gas bar and convenience store on Range Lake Road at about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

The 18-year-old that Martens is accused of stabbing in the neck and chest was medevaced to Edmonton early Friday morning in critical condition. Police said Monday his condition had "improved slightly."

Martens was scheduled to appear in court Monday for a show cause hearing. He was unable to attend because he was undergoing surgery at University Hospital in Edmonton.

Martens' mother called Yellowknifer and said her son sustained injuries to his left hand.

"There was a broken bone in his hand, and some of his tendons were ripped," said his mother. "We were afraid he might lose the use of his hand."

In court, duty defence counsel Jim Brydon tried to get the charges against Martens thrown out because the Crown had failed to produce him for court. In turn, prosecutor Darren Mahoney applied for an adjournment until Martens could return to Yellowknife.

The judge rescheduled his appearance for Oct. 12.

His mother said she expected Martens to return to the city yesterday.

RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Steve McVarnock would not comment on how Martens was injured. "I can't taint perception of the incident," said McVarnock.

McVarnock said it was Martens who "initiated contact" with the RCMP.

After Martens called police, RCMP went to his home. "An ambulance took him to the hospital," said McVarnock.

"As events started to unfold due to the information flow he was arrested at the hospital."