LEGAL WRANGLING STALLS TRIAL OF OPP DRUG OFFICER

SUDBURY -- Behind-the-scenes legal wrangling continues to stall the arson
trial of an Ontario Provincial Police drug enforcement officer.

After hearing from just one witness Monday, the seven-man, five-woman jury
was sent home until today.

"It would appear we are again going to be needing a couple of days,"
Superior Court Justice John Poupore told the jury.

"What is being explored in your absence is shortening the evidence. So, we
are working hard."

Det. Const. James Buckle, 40, is charged with deliberately setting a fire
in the evidence room of an OPP building in North Bay on Oct. 25, 1997.

The rented building, which had controlled access and an alarm system, was
home to the North Bay OPP's drug enforcement unit and anti-rackets squad.

The fire damaged the contents of a metal, storage locker and the wall
behind the locker. The six-compartment locker was used to store seized
items, including money and narcotics. A lock secured each compartment.

Damage to the room and contents was estimated at $2,300.

An investigation determined the fire had been deliberately set using naphtha.

Court has heard the officer's hair was singed and his face reddened by the
fire when he opened the exhibit room door to investigate a smell of smoke
and to put the fire out.

While the jury is away, the Crown and defence will hold a voir dire -- or
trial-within-a-trial -- concerning unresolved issues.

The trial began Sept. 4. Before this week, it had been delayed twice due to
lengthy voir dire proceedings.

Buckle is suspended with pay.