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HAY RIVER - A Hay River woman appeared in the Supreme Court of the NWT Sept. 2 for sentencing on two counts of trafficking drugs.

Kendrah Peterson was not handed down a sentence at the last minute after firing her lawyer, Michael Hansen, and seeking to change her plea.

"Miss Peterson no longer has confidence in me to represent her properly," said Hansen. "I have no choice but to ask to be removed."

Peterson had entered a plea of guilty to trafficking cocaine and reserved plea on the second trafficking charge. She said she wanted to change her plea to not guilty and requested more time to find another lawyer. According to Hansen, and confirmed by Peterson, defence attorney Jay Bran had offered her assistance, which she declined. Judge Don Cooper set the case for Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. in Yellowknife.

Peterson has been ordered to appear in person for the hearing and to find a new defence lawyer by that time.

"I urge you to attend to this sooner than later," said Cooper as he addressed Peterson.

Hansen was granted his request to be removed from the case.