Yellowknife (Nov 10/04) - Eli Ulayuk, the man accused of killing parole officer Louise Pargeter, made a brief appearance in a Yellowknife courtroom Tuesday, amid heavy security.

The slightly-built 36-year-old Ulayuk sat in the prisoner's box flanked by three RCMP officers, while two sheriffs watched from the back of a packed courtroom.

Territorial court Judge Michel Bourassa read the first-degree murder charge to Ulayuk, who said "Yeah" when asked if he understood the allegations.

Bourassa adjourned the case until Jan. 18 to give Ulayuk's lawyer, Glen Boyd, a chance to review evidence provided by the Crown attorney's office.

Pargeter, 34, was found dead in the apartment of a parolee on Oct. 6.

Ulayuk had previously served eight years on a manslaughter charge in connection with the 1988 killing of an Iglulik woman.

Pargeter's death prompted a national review of parole procedures and calls for change. Members of Pargeter's family and friends have called for changes in the way parole officers do their job.

She was the first community parole officer in Canada to be killed in the line of duty.