Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 10/00) - An Iqaluit man charged with first-degree murder had the date for his preliminary hearing set last week.

Kootoo Korgak, 31, was ordered to appear in the Nunavut Court of Justice on July 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Scheduled to last for one day, the preliminary hearing will conclude whether or not there is enough evidence for Korgak to stand trial for the crime.

He was charged on Feb. 10 after his spouse, 39-year-old Inusiq Akavak, was found dead in her Iqaluit apartment. Police said she died after allegedly being strangled.

Representing Korgak, defense counsel Michael Chandler will also speak to a breach of undertaking charge laid against his client following the alleged murder.

Korgak was also ordered to re-appear in court on May 2 at 9:30 a.m. to answer to charges not related to this incident, including one assault charge and several breaches of undertaking.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick urged the lawyers to act quickly when dealing with the outstanding charges.

"It's time that something is done with respect to that," said Kilpatrick, referring to one of the breach of undertaking charges approximately 15 months old.

Korgak will remain in custody until his preliminary hearing.