SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A young man set to appear in NWT territorial court Tuesday didn't show up, but he was excused after it was revealed he was friends with Ashley McLean, the 17-year-old girl who died late last month in a vehicle rollover in Yellowknife.

The 20-year-old faces one charge of theft and one charge of possession of property obtained by crime. Both charges date back to April 7.

The court decided to excuse the accused's failure to show for his court date after Lydia Bardak, of the John Howard Society, presented the court with a letter explaining his situation.

Defence lawyer Dan Rideout told the court, after reading the letter, that the recent incident where a close friend of the accused's was killed in a vehicle accident could explain his absence.

He is set to appear in court again Aug. 25.

McLean was driving a stolen City of Yellowknife vehicle at the time of the crash.

Initials reports from the RCMP stated a 20-year-old man was the second occupant of the vehicle and the individual had left the scene after the accident. This later proved to be false and police confirmed McLean was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash. However, RCMP said two men were let out of the stolen vehicle prior to the crash.

Break and enter at After 8

A Yellowknife man accused of breaking into After 8 Billiards on July 22 appeared in court Tuesday.

In addition to the break and enter, the man is also accused of stealing six bottles of alcohol - which police say they found him in possession of later that day - from the pub and pool hall.

He will appear in court on Aug. 6 for a bail hearing to determine whether he needs to stay in custody or can be released while he awaits trial.

Fashion statement

A woman appeared in NWT territorial court Tuesday to face two charges of theft. She was wearing a shirt emblazoned with "Tequila Police: You have the right to remain silent and watch me drink your tequila."

The woman pleaded guilty to one charge of theft, while reserving the right to plea on the second charge.

She is set to appear in court again Aug. 11 for sentencing.