SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A man charged with impaired driving causing death and other offences in a Victoria Day long weekend car crash on the Ingraham Trail is to appear in justice of the peace court this afternoon for a bail hearing.

Joshua Moore,his arm in a sling, was in handcuffs and leg shackles when he was led into the Yellowknife courthouse through the prisoner door May 25. Moore, 29, is charged with impaired driving causing death in a long weekend car crash that killed Karen Lafferty, 30. - John McFadden/NNSL photo

Joshua Moore, 29, did not appear in territorial court as scheduled this past Monday or Friday because he was at Stanton Territorial Hospital for surgery for injuries he sustained during the crash, court heard.

There was confusion in the courtroom Friday as neither the judge, the Crown prosecutor nor the lawyer representing Moore knew why he was not in court. It was left to the clerk, later confirmed by an RCMP officer in court, that Moore was at Stanton.

Moore did appear in court May 23,24, and 25 with his arm in a sling after he was brought into the courthouse in handcuffs and leg shackles through the prisoner door. The restraints were removed during these brief appearances.

Moore, dressed in a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants waved to several family members from the prisoner's box on May 23. He was charged following the May 21 crash that killed Karen Lafferty, 30.

She was a passenger in a vehicle that left the road and ended up in a pond about 20 kilometres east of Yellowknife.

RCMP have stated there were five people in the vehicle at the time. One of the passengers was medevaced to a hospital in Edmonton. The condition of that passenger has not been made public.

Yellowknifer reported in September 2010 that Moore was sentenced to eight months in jail after he was found with 26, one-gram bags of marijuana near the downtown liquor store. RCMP had searched Moore after they observed him buying alcohol for minors.

Moore has several other convictions for trafficking as well as aggravated assault, breach of probation and driving without a licence. It is not clear whether Moore is still being treated at Stanton or exactly what security measures were used while he was in hospital.

According to Justice Department spokesperson Marie-Eve Duperre, corrections staff provides escorts for safe custody and detention of all inmates, while ensuring that public safety is of primary importance.

"Throughout an escort, inmates are in an extension of custody and detention while outside of the complex," she stated in an e-mail.

Alleged drug ringleader expected to enter plea

A Yellowknife man who RCMP have described as the ringleader of an illicit drug sale operation is expected to enter a plea in October.

Todd Dube, 21, faces a long list of charges, including cocaine trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Dube was one of several people arrested and charged during a police investigation RCMP dubbed Project Green Manalishi.

He has been in custody at the North Slave Correctional Complex since his arrest in April of last year. Dube, sporting a brush cut and beard, appeared in court by video on May 23. He is due to be back in NWT Supreme Court on Oct. 11 and 12 and territorial court on Oct. 13 to enter a plea.

The charges are expected to be resolved at that time, according to Crown prosecutor Duane Praught.

Folk sex assault suspect in court June 6

A man charged with sexual assault at last year's Folk on the Rocks music festival is expected to enter a plea in territorial court next Tuesday.

Brendan Lehman, 24, was not in territorial court on May 23 where he was represented by lawyer Peter Harte.

RCMP charged Lehman about six months after the alleged incident.

During the festival there was an announcement about concert-goers needing consent and social media posts alleging inappropriate contact.

A sex assault charge laid against another man following last year's festival was stayed in territorial court earlier this year.

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