CBC News
A Whitehorse man accused of shooting two wolves in his neighbourhood is planning to use his aboriginal status as a defence.
Clayton Thomas, 31, wants the wildlife charges against him dismissed.
When Thomas appeared in Territorial Court in Whitehorse yesterday, Crown prosecutors expected he would ask for time to study the binder of evidence they’ve collected against him.
Instead, Thomas was accompanied by an aboriginal man who spoke for him.
Identifying himself only as “Kusta”, the man asked to have the case dismissed.
“Sounds like you want to make a charter application” Justice of the Peace Sharman Morrison advised.
The pair was told a formal application, with reasons, must be filed with the Yukon Supreme court.
Outside the courtroom, Kusta told reporters that Thomas was born into the Tahltan First Nation in Dease Lake, B.C., and therefore has an aboriginal right to hunt and defend himself from wild predators.
It’s unclear when the case will next be heard.