SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Five parties accused of safety violations in an equipment accident causing a former Carter Industries worker to lose his leg in 2008 might be looking at a short trial or even a resolution to the matter.

In court Tuesday to set a date for trial relating to charges laid under the NWT Safety Act and General Safety Regulations was the NWT Power Corporation; Carter Industries Ltd.; Mandeville Engineering Inc.; Tim Boyce, an employee of Carter Industries; and Lloyd Mandeville, an employee of Mandeville Engineering.

Defence lawyer Edward Gullberg said "discussions are ongoing and could lead to a much shorter trial," adding the parties met Monday to discuss the case.

Crown prosecutor Glen Boyd said the discussions "have been rather complex" and more time is needed to work toward what could be a "shorter trial" or even a resolution in the matter.

The charges stem from an incident in 2008 when Tim Mcauley, originally from Hay River, was working as an equipment operator for Carter Industries, a contractor for the NWT Power Corporation, at the Snare hydro power plant, 140 km northwest of Yellowknife.

He had been working there for 15 weeks when on June 3 some rigging snapped and dropped a Bailey bridge - a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge - onto his right foot, which resulted in the amputation of part of his leg.

Evidence assessed in drug trafficking case

A man and a woman facing drug trafficking charges after 5,000 doses of crack cocaine were seized from a pickup truck on Highway 3 in May 2009 were in territorial court Wednesday for a preliminary inquiry.

The hearing is held to determine whether there's enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Joanne Glenn and Alan Taylor were arrested in May 2009 after police removed 470 grams of crack cocaine, 30 grams of powder cocaine and undisclosed amount of cash from a truck northbound from Edmonton, 60 km from Yellowknife.

One week to get a lawyer

A man who was charged with receiving 800 grams worth of marijuana last December was given a week to sort out his legal aid.

Appearing in court Tuesday to address whether he had a lawyer for his May 22 trial, Harold Griep, 28, said he hadn't secured legal aid yet because he was waiting for paperwork to be processed.

Griep was charged with trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking in connection with a package of marijuana coming to Yellowknife through Canada Post on Dec. 18.