Brian Douglas Louie, 33, of Oliver charged with five criminal code charges including aggravated assault in connection with a domestic violence case on the Indian Reserve at Oliver more than 63 days ago appeared in court today to state his piece.

Louie plead not guilty to all five charges and his lawyer Jim Pennington says the accused wants trial before a provincial court judge.

A pre-trial conference has been ordered to help prepare for a speedy trial which according to the Crown will call 13 witnesses in total:  6 police officers, 6 civilians and 1 expert medical witness. The trial could last 2 to 3 days and likely be held in October. The conference could be scheduled in the next two weeks.

Despite warnings from the presiding Justice of the Peace – Louie insisted on speaking to  the courtroom audience stating he thought the process unfair with him not being allowed to tell his side of the story.

The Justice of the Peace requested several times that Louie consult with his lawyer prior to making further comment during the video conference.

The victim, the mother of his child, along with friends and supporters were in the court as well as other members of the Osoyoos Indian Band.

The complainant told police May 20th that she was beaten, kicked, bitten, punched and dragged by the hair during a Sunday morning incident which followed a night of partying. Her injuries required reconstructive surgery at Penticton Regional Hospital.

The victim was taken by police to a nearby hospital, where she was told by a doctor that an artery had been severed and she would require further medical treatment in Penticton.