Ontario's Lawyer Has Looked at Life from Both Sides Now

Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada)

February 8, 1992 Saturday Final Edition

Activist to defend herself at Oka trial;
Counsel quits because he was not being paid

SOURCE: FROM CANADIAN PRESS

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. A6

LENGTH: 308 words

DATELINE: MONTREAL



Mohawk activist Kahn-Tineta Horn announced yesterday she will act in her own defence against charges arising from the 1990 Oka land-claims standoff.

Ms Horn had been represented by Owen Young, a native affairs specialist from Brantford who removed himself from the case yesterday because he was not being paid.


Ms Horn, 51, was arrested Sept. 26, 1990, with 43 other Mohawks and supporters when they surrendered their stronghold at the Kanesatake detoxification centre.

The former Indian Affairs employee is charged with obstructing peace officers, participating in a riot and uttering a threat during the standoff.

Mr. Young also represented Gordon (Noriega) Lazore and Roger Lazore in a separate trial with Ronald (Lasagna) Cross.

Cross, charged with 50 offences in connection with the Mohawk crisis, was found guilty by a jury on 17 charges including aggravated assault, uttering death threats and mischief.

One of Mr. Young's clients, Gordon Lazore, charged with 19 offences, was convicted on only five. Roger Lazore was acquitted.

But Mr. Young was also retained to represent 13 other Mohawk Warriors and supporters who faced off with Quebec provincial police and the Canadian Forces during the 78-day armed standoff.

In an affidavit filed in court yesterday, Mr. Young said he was to receive $15,000 a month for his pre-trial work and $20,000 a month once trials got under way.

Mr. Young said that by the end of 1991 he was owed $135,000 for his services and the payments he had received -- a total of $121,250 -- were insufficient to meet overhead costs and have left him without any personal income.

One of his clients -- Tom Paul -- a Micmac writer, activist and spiritual leader, died this week.

Jury selection in the case of the remaining 39 accused, including Ms Horn, is scheduled to begin March 2.