An Edmonton man found guilty of possessing almost 300 grams of cocaine in Yellowknife was granted a new sentencing hearing date after telling a judge heSA国际影视传媒檚 been self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms.
A hearing for Liban Mohamood Mohammed, 28, was set to take place in NWT Supreme Court on Monday.
NNSL photo
But MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 lawyer, Andre Ouellette, submitted an application to adjourn the matter SA国际影视传媒� in part because his client is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, he said.
Both Mohammed and his wife have been self-isolating at a relativeSA国际影视传媒檚 Edmonton residence, Ouellette told Justice Shannon Smallwood. Mohammed has not been tested for Covid-19, the court heard.
Ouellette said Alberta Health is advising residents to stay home unless symptoms are severe or unmanageable, in which case they should seek medical intervention. It was a point that gave Smallwood pause.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 seem like much of a testing strategy,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Addressing Smallwood over the phone from Edmonton, Mohammed said he called Alberta Health and was told to self-isolate for two weeks before going to the hospital to be tested.
The lack of a pre-sentence report SA国际影视传媒� a summary of an offenderSA国际影视传媒檚 background and circumstances SA国际影视传媒� also stood as a reason for adjournment of his sentencing hearing. The report hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been completed. Mohammed said thatSA国际影视传媒檚 because he canSA国际影视传媒檛 get reach Probation Services in Alberta.
The Crown says otherwise.
Prosecutor Brendan Green, who strongly opposed the adjournment, said Mohammed simply hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 taken the proper steps to contact officials in order to complete the pre-sentence report.
As for MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 Covid-19 symptoms, Green said he was SA国际影视传媒渆xtremely skeptical.SA国际影视传媒� He said thereSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渁bsolutely no documentationSA国际影视传媒� from medical professionals to back up his claims.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 extremely concerned about this. (Mohammed) poses a very serious flight risk,SA国际影视传媒� said Green.
Green told the court that prior to MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 arrest in Yellowknife nearly three years ago, he used a fake ID to travel while failing to abide by his probation conditions at the time.
Despite the CrownSA国际影视传媒檚 concerns, Smallwood SA国际影视传媒渞eluctantlySA国际影视传媒� approved the application.
In February, after a judge-alone trial, Mohammed was found guilty of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing property SA国际影视传媒� cash SA国际影视传媒� obtained by crime. In September 2017, after weeks of surveillance, a Yellowknife drug investigation led Mounties to a 52 Street apartment. After breaking down the door with a battering ram, officers found Mohammed SA国际影视传媒� along with 293 grams of cocaine and $52,325 in cash. The drugs were valued at $46,000.
MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 co-accused, charged with the same offences, was acquitted.
MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 next court date is scheduled for June 15. That will give him time to complete self-isolation and undergo testing. If Mohammed is free of Covid-19, Green said heSA国际影视传媒檒l apply to have the offenderSA国际影视传媒檚 bail revoked.
In light of the adjournment, Smallwood amended MohammedSA国际影视传媒檚 at the request of the Crown. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 now under 24-hour house arrest.
