Court briefs
Ndilo murder pre-trial hearing set for summer
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, February 14, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A teen charged with murder in the stabbing death of Daniel Faine in Ndilo on Sept. 14 will have her pre-trial hearing this summer.
The 17-year-old girl's preliminary inquiry will take place on July 16, Crown attorney Brad Demone confirmed. The purpose of a preliminary inquiry is to determine if there is enough evidence to take the accused to trial.
The teen made her first appearance in youth court the week of Sept. 16 and was released on $5,000 bail on Sept. 18.
The case had been held back previously while forensic evidence was made available to lawyers by police.
Five for fighting
Yellowknife RCMP were called to the Multiplex on Sunday evening after a hockey coach was allegedly punched in the back of the head.
Around the time of the incident, Carl's Rockies, the city's midget development team, was wrapping up play against a Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association tournament all-star team.
The assailant had left the arena by the time police arrived around 7 p.m. RCMP say they haven't laid any charges yet but are continuing their investigation into the assault.
Judge sides with ex-bylaw cop
A Supreme Court judge has sided with an ex-bylaw officer, allowing him to keep his cards close to his chest in his $770,000 lawsuit against the city.
Doug Norrad, who worked as a bylaw officer with the city for more than 13 years, alleges he was fired after being bullied
and mistreated by his former boss, Doug Gillard.
Glenn Tait, a lawyer hired by the city to defend against the lawsuit, asked Norrad to elaborate on his claims during a court appearance on Jan 27.
Tait argued Norrad's allegations against the city for wrongful dismissal were too vague.
"That's akin to saying, 'I've been assaulted, but I'm not going to tell you by who. And
I'm not going to tell you when. And I'm not going to tell you how,'" Tait told the court Jan. 27.
Patricia Tiffen, appearing on behalf of Steven Cooper, Norrad's counsel, shot back, saying the city has all the information they need to respond to the lawsuit.
On Monday, Justice Shannon Smallwood agreed with Norrad's lawyers, asking them to provide more details on only a handful of Norrad's claims.
"We don't think they expected to get what they asked for," said Cooper.
Cooper said it's possible the city was simply trying to delay Norrad's case.
"If they think they're going to scare off or intimidate our client, it's not going to happen," Cooper said.
Norrad is seeking damages and lost salary in the lawsuit. At the time of
his dismissal he was being paid $101,508 annually.
The city has until March 17 to file its defence claim, Cooper said.
