MLA fined, could lose seat after conviction

Northwest Territories MLA Henry Zoe has been convicted of resisting arrest.

Zoe, the MLA for North Slave, was arrested last August after getting into an argument with his wife after a night out drinking.

She called the police to their home and told them Zoe had threatened to beat her up.

The two started arguing again, in front of the police, who moved to arrest Zoe.

He struggled against police attempts to handcuff him and escort him out of the house.

On the way out, Zoe lost his balance and hit his face on a truck parked in the driveway.

In handing down his verdict, Judge Brian Bruser commended police for showing restraint in making the arrest.

He said that after being told that Zoe threatened violence against his wife, and then witnessing an escalating argument between the two, police had no choice but to arrest Zoe.

The incident happened less than three months after Zoe was kicked out of cabinet for a drunken outburst in the Yellowknife Legion.

Bruser fined Zoe $700. It's the MLA's fifth criminal conviction, which includes a 1991 spousal assault.

If the legislative assembly finds that Zoe used or threatened violence in resisting arrest, he could lose his seat.

But Judge Bruser made it clear that he had not found that Zoe used or threatened violence against any person.

Zoe refused to comment to reporters following the sentencing.