Yukon inmate Michael Nehass wants 'international lawyer' for dangerous offender hearing

MichaelNehass, aYukon man with a violent criminal record,faces a hearing this week in whicha Yukon judge will decide whether to declare him a dangerous offender.

Thedesignationcould keep himin jail indefinitely.

Nehass, 32,was in Yukon Supreme Court on Wednesday, for the start of a sentencing hearing for hisconvictionlast yearforassaultinga woman at knifepointin Watson Lake.

• Yukon Supreme Court finds MichaelNehassguilty of assault
• MichaelNehassto undergo assessment for dangerous offender status

A Yukon Supreme Court justiceearlier this year ordered a psychiatric assessment be done onNehassahead of the sentencing.

Canada's attorney general has seen the assessment report and on Tuesday filed consent to proceed with a hearing to determine dangerous offender status.

Besides his conviction last year,Nehasshas also been convicted of aggravatedassault several times.

In 2003, when he was 19, Nehassandanother mantortured a cocaine dealer in Whitehorse tocollect drug money.They cut off the man's finger with a meat cleaverand beat him with a baseball bat.

According to Public Safety Canada, a dangerous offender designationis "intended to protect all Canadians from the most dangerous violent and sexual predators in the country."

After declaring someone a dangerous offender, a judge can impose an indeterminatesentencewith no chance of parole for seven years, a regular sentence of imprisonment for the offence and a long-term supervision order in the communityafter release, or a regular sentence of imprisonment for the offence.

Wants an 'international lawyer,' cites conspiracy

Nehassrepresented himself in court on Wednesday. He was flanked by two police officers and a sheriff.

He appeared gaunt andspoke at a rapid-fire pace, often gesturing above his head with his hands.

Nehasstold the court he was firing his lawyer, thefourth onehe's dismissed since 2011.

He said he is seeking an "international lawyer" who could argue thatNehassis not a Canadian citizen but instead a "non-treaty Aboriginal person."

Nehassalso said he believes the United Nations should interveneunder the Geneva Conventions. He said Switzerland should pay his court fees through the Hague an international court actually based in the Netherlands.

"I want an international lawyer who is not bound to Canada," he told the court.

Justice Scott Brookersaid he would allow Nehass to make what he called "non-traditional arguments," but advised the man to start co-operating with lawyers.

"I've done everything I can to find you a lawyer, sir, but there's a limit. In a way, you're your own worst enemy," Brookersaid.

Before court was dismissed on Wednesday,NehassdenouncedCSISas well assomethinghe called"cyber-educationists."

The judge replied, "OK, that's enough for today."

In custody since 2011

Nehasshas been in custody in Yukon for the last five years, much of that time spent in solitary confinement. At aFebruary hearing on another matter, a psychologist testified hismental health has worsened during his years in the Whitehorse jail.

He hasargued he was mistreated at the jail and that his imprisonment conditions are inhumane and inappropriate.

Since being detained he has been convicted forseveral infractions, including an assault on a guard and causing more than $35,000 in damages to the facility.

"I've received no treatment. No treatment for anger issues or substance abuse," he said in court on Wednesday.

The sentencing hearing reconvenes Thursday.