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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
One of the accused in a major drug bust was scheduled Tuesday to decide how she would be tried but the case was postponed after the Crown requested a two-week adjournment.

Brittany Beaulieu, charged with two counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, was in Yellowknife territorial court Tuesday morning.

This was not the first time Beaulieu's election to be tried by judge and jury or by judge alone has been delayed. On April 24, Beaulieu's lawyer asked that the case be postponed as he was still awaiting important information. At that time, the matter was moved to May 22.

Beaulieu is now expected to return to court June 5 to decide whether to be tried by judge and jury or judge alone.

Two others accused in the case, Alexander Mackenzie Smith and Justin Gabriel Wanderingspirit, were also before the court Tuesday and also had their cases postponed, until June 12. Smith and Wanderingspirit are also accused of two counts of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Beaulieu, Smith and Wanderingspirit were all charged in relation to a Jan. 20 seizure of approximately $750,000 worth of crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana from a Yellowknife home.

Trial decision in boating death case expected next week

A preliminary inquiry was held this week to decide whether the case against a man who was charged following the 2010 drowning death of Colin Lafferty would go to trial. Henry Basil is facing charges of impaired operation of a vessel and impaired operation of a vessel causing death.

On Canada Day, Basil and two other men were in a boat that capsized in Akaitcho Bay. Both Basil and passenger Chris Burke were rescued by a boater, but Lafferty drowned while reportedly attempting to swim to shore.

The preliminary inquiry was held Tuesday and Wednesday but was adjourned until next Thursday, at which time the judge is expected to give her decision.

Preliminary inquiries are held to ensure the Crown has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Vice-grips, workwear thief fined

A Yellowknife man was fined $700 Tuesday for stealing a pair of vice-grips from Wal-Mart and for selling stolen merchandise in a gas station parking lot.

Norman Koe, 44, was convicted of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

In February, police found Koe in the Shell parking lot intoxicated and selling work boots and gloves, which he informed them were from Mark's Work Wearhouse.

Police discovered that the merchandise, which was worth about $540, the man was peddling was in fact stolen and he was subsequently charged.

Judge Christine Gagnon fined him $600 for the crime.

Koe was also caught stealing a pair of vice-grips from Wal-Mart on March 3. He attempted to flee but was caught by the store's security guard.

Gagnon forced him to pay $100 for the incident. He was also sentenced to six months probation with the condition that he not enter Wal-Mart or Mark's Work Wearhouse during that time.

Prior to the incidents he had been convicted of 19 property related crimes.

"I always come out (of jail) with a different attitude ... now I'm standing here again," Koe told the court. "It's pretty shameful."

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