Night club trial to be heard in English

A judge has turned down a request to have a trial for a Prince George nightclub fighting two pandemic-era tickets heard in French.

Representing the owner of Lambda

Cabaret, now known as Club 1177, lawyer Saron Gebresellassi was seeking the step because an expert she plans to have testify speaks only French.

Provincial Court Judge Martin Nadon found the proviso, as set out in the Criminal Code, applies only to the accused and only if that person can provide instruction to counsel in that language.

“The fact of the matter is, it’s an organization of one,” Nadon said and went on to note that during submissions on the matter, Gebresellassi conceded that club owner Linda Allen does not speak French.