Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife Supreme Court judge has told a man charged with trafficking cocaine that he will not stand for any further delays in the man's trial.

Leonard Haynes stood before Judge Ted Richard on Monday afternoon, asking that his request for a new lawyer be granted.

Haynes told Richard that he has obtained a new lawyer for his case, one based in Quebec.

Haynes had been represented by Yellowknife lawyer Brad Enge, who did not dispute his removal from the case.

Richard granted the motion, but offered a stern warning to Haynes, who was arrested in October 2005 for his alleged involvement in a major Yellowknife drug ring busted up by Yellowknife RCMP.

"Just because you've decided to switch lawyers doesn't mean that your case will be further delayed," said Richard.

"That was not my intention," Haynes replied.

Richard went on to say that the court would make no move to accommodate the schedule of Haynes' new Quebec lawyer and that, if necessary, Haynes would have to represent himself and "take good notes.

Haynes told Richard that a Yellowknife lawyer would be representing him at a pre-trial conference.

Haynes entered not guilty pleas to charges of trafficking cocaine, possession and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.