Yukon prosecutors maintain Michael Nehass unfit to stand trial

Federal prosecutors are demanding a new psychological assessment for a Whitehorse prisoner.

They maintain 30-year-old Micheal Nehass is unfit to stand trial on a long list of charges he faces.

Nehass wasn't in court more than five minutes Friday when he had fired his lawyer, accused the judge of bias, and demanded a trial outside the Yukon with an all native jury, but the judge would not step down.

And prosecutors had more charges for Nehass: two jail guards say he threatened to kill them, and burn down the Masonic Hall in Whitehorse.

Suddenly, a frustrated Nehass told the court he'll plead guilty to all territorial charges against him.

Nehass has been in jail almost three years without trial.

He told court that's already more jail time than warranted, and he believes he'll get released when sentenced.

One judge has already found Nehass mentally unfit to stand trial, but the Yukon Review Board rejected that finding and sent him back to the courts.

Prosecutors now say they won't accept any pleas from Nehass until he's reassessed.