Yellowknife (Mar 25/05) - Former territorial cabinet minister Henry Zoe will learn Judge Brian Bruser's verdict April 14 on a charge of resisting arrest.

During a struggle at his Yellowknife home last summer, the North Slave MLA smacked his face on the hood of a truck parked in his driveway, three RCMP officers told the judge March 18 during a half-day court hearing.

Zoe's wife called police around 2:30 a.m. Aug. 24 saying he was threatening her, police said.

After entering the home, the officers said they found Zoe sitting calmly at the kitchen table.

But as his wife began telling her story, the officers said Zoe started yelling and became verbally abusive towards his partner.

"It was clear that there wasn't going to be any resolution to this," Const. Jeff Burkell told the court.

The officers described the couple as moderately intoxicated.

When told that he was under arrest for uttering threats, Zoe stared straight ahead, and did not respond, Burkell said.

All three officers estimated the time between entry and Zoe's removal at less than 10 minutes.

Wearing a pink ribbon on the front of his dark suit jacket, Zoe sat through most of the half-day trial clutching a pen to take notes.

Three officers were needed to control Zoe, and lead him out of the trailer, the officers said. Each officer gave slightly varied descriptions of how Zoe struggled from side to side on the way out.

Zoe's lawyer, Margo Nightingale, says her client was just responding to the force used on him by the officers.

After falling down a short flight of stairs , Zoe said his teeth were broken, but a casual inspection by Burkell revealed nothing.

All three officers said Zoe calmed down after he was on his way to the station.

After the incident, Burkell said he believed Zoe did resist arrest, but had no intent to charge him.

But when the file was reviewed by his superiors a few days later, he was told to lay charges.

Zoe was removed from cabinet last summer after making derogatory remarks towards Newfoundlanders during the North of 60 Idol competition at the Yellowknife Legion.