Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The case of a man charged with stealing more than $25,000 from the Community Television Society is now in the jurisdiction of the NWT Supreme Court, his defence attorney said.

A former director of the society, Roy Desjarlais, 43, was charged last December with one count of theft over $5,000 and one count of cheque forgery.

"Pleas have not been taken yet. The case is still in the interim stage," said Kelly Payne, counsel for Desjarlais.

"Mr. Desjarlais has made an election, which means it is in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court now," said Payne. "He's got the choice of whether to have a preliminary inquiry or not. He may not elect to have one. But that's an option he's got."

Asked whether both parties are hoping to avoid a trial, Payne said, "That's always the hope in NWT court matters. That's not unusual."

As for when a decision on if a preliminary inquiry will be held, Payne added, "I expect we'll know that before the end of the month."

Two pre-trial conferences have been held between Payne, Crown prosecutor John MacFarlane and Supreme Court Justice L.A. Charbonneau, but the content of those meetings is under a publication ban.

Desjarlais is a former chair of the Yellowknife public school board, a former CEO of the Aboriginal Sport Circle and once ran as an MLA candidate.