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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Brittany Beaulieu was in territorial court Tuesday morning to choose how she wishes to be tried on two counts of possession of cocaine and marijuana for the purposes of trafficking.

Beaulieu's Edmonton-based lawyer, however, was still awaiting informationand defence lawyer Stephen Shabala, acting as agent, asked that the matter be postponed.

Beaulieu, who is not being held in custody,will return to territorial court May 22 for election.

Beaulieu's two co-accused, Alexander Mackenzie Smith and Justin Gabriel Wanderingspirit appeared by video Tuesday afternoon. The two are currently in jail as their court proceedings progress.

Smith and Wanderingspirit are also accused of two counts of possession of cocaine and marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. Both are set to appear in territorial court onMay 22 to elect how they wish to be tried.

SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE FOR FISH PLANT OWNER

Fisher Brian Abbott will likely avoid trial on eight counts under the Fisheries Act, his lawyer Thomas Boyd said Tuesday in territorial court.

Abbott, the owner and operator of Great Slave Fish Products Ltd., was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning to file a plea but was not present. Boyd spoke on his behalf.

Boyd said the Crown and defence are currently negotiating a settlement and he was hopeful a resolution might be reached as early as next Monday. The Crown agreed toreschedule the case untilMay 1.

Abbott is charged with fishing without proper registration; failing to properly fill out logbooks; fishing in a restricted area; leaving a gill net in the water for more than 30 hours; fishing with improperly marked gill nets; possessing fish caught in contravention of the Fisheries Act; and trading in muktuk.

RCMP and federal fisheries officers raided his Jolliffe Island fish plant and fishing boat last August, confiscating an estimated $30,000 worth of fish.

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