Lauren McKeon
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 26, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Following more than two months in custody and 10 court appearances while awaiting a psychiatric assessment, Daniel Sandor Mikus has now decided to proceed to trial without one.

The Yellowknife man's charges date back to June 25 and include uttering death threats, breach of probation and assault.

"He has expressed the wish to simply move these matters forward," said defence lawyer Jay Bran.

Bran had been trying to secure a bed space for Mikus in a southern facility to undergo the assessment. As of Mikus' Tuesday court appearance, there had been little progress. Bran tried facilities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C. The NWT does not have the means to complete assessments locally.

"I'm certainly not faulting you. You've done your best," Judge Robert Gorin told Bran. "It's a shame there are not adequate facilities" in the territory to perform an assessment, Gorin added, especially since Mikus has been "waiting in cells" the entire time.

Notably, there had not been a formal order for Mikus to undergo an assessment. The defence had been directed by Judge Brian Bruser, who first presided over the case, to find an available bed space - at which time the order would be made.

Mikus's trial is scheduled for Dec. 4.

One for every year

A 57-year-old man appeared in court Tuesday with 57 convictions already under his belt. He's going to jail for six months for his latest crimes.

Joseph Poodlat faced several charges of breaching probation during the summer, some of which were withdrawn.

Poodlat was given an order not to be in the Yk Centre while intoxicated, but in late July was seen walking through the downtown Extra Foods, located inside the centre, "hitting shelves" and "bumping into people" according to Crown attorney Michael Himmelman.

Poodlat also faced a Sept. 9 assault charge, in which he pushed a woman down behind the Gold Range after she asked him to move away, said Himmelman.

Poodlat pleaded guilty to all charges.

"He has no independent recollection of those events," said defence lawyer Caroline Wawzonek, adding her client's current charges, and most of those on his record, stem from his alcohol problem.

"He quite readily accepts he was drunk, as he often is," she added.

"Your record shows me clearly what has not worked in the past," said Gorin. "Many things have been tried. They've been tried on 57 prior occasions."

Gorin sentenced Poodlat to six months in jail and gave him one year of probation, under which Poodlat is not to have contact with the complainant in the assault conviction.

Man accused of trafficking 'stuck' in Alberta

A woman accused of trafficking cocaine appeared before Yellowknife court Tuesday.

Her co-accused, a man from Edmonton, was "stuck" in Alberta because he couldn't fly out without his driver's license, which was seized, said a friend who appeared on his behalf.

The two accused, Blessing Jade Desire-Tesar and Toby Campbell, were ordered to appear again before court on Oct. 7.

Gorin issued a warrant for Campbell's arrest.