Yellowknife (Mar 18/05) - Gerald Delorme and his lawyer are waiting to hear if they can access the details of plea negotiations for the three men already convicted in the death of Justin Hai Van Vo.

Francis Yukon, Richard Tutin and Dale Coutoreille each pleaded guilty to various charges in Vo's death in the summer of 2003.

Delorme still faces a charge of first degree murder.

In court March 15, Delorme's lawyer Catherine Rhinelander said as "the last man standing" her client should have access to exchanges between Crown and defense lawyers.

"(Delorme's) saying, 'Well what's going on? Why are they getting a deal?'" Rhinelander told the court.

But Justice John Vertes wanted to know what the benefit to releasing the information would be.

"You do have the ultimate result, you have the admission," Vertes said of the agreed statement of facts in the cases.

Rhinelander said "there's also other information that could be fodder for cross examination, and could go directly to character."

Vertes said often the Crown may ask for truthful testimony, and a guilty plea in exchange for a lesser sentence.

Crown attorney Caroline Carrasco said that releasing the documents may affect plea negotiations in the future.

"We're trying to achieve free and candid discussions between defence and Crown," she said. "There may be a way of balancing the various interests and ensuring the defence has what they need," she added later.

Vertes is expected to deliver a decision in weeks.

Delorme's trial is scheduled to begin June 6.