Rankin Inlet (Jun 21/06) - The second-degree murder trial of a Rankin Inlet man accused of stabbing his common-law wife to death has been postponed until the fall.

Adrian VanEindhoven will remain behind bars until his trial resumes in the Kivalliq's largest community Sept. 18.

VanEindhoven appeared in an Iqaluit courtroom June 13, where his lawyer asked for the three-month adjournment. The delay gives VanEindhoven and his attorney time to prepare their defence, which could include testimony from VanEindhoven and two forensic experts.

Crown attorney Christine Gagnon didn't oppose postponing the jury-less trial.

"A murder case is really important. The delay won't really matter," she said. "What we lose in emotional impact, we gain in clarity."

VanEindhoven is accused of stabbing his common law wife, Leanne Irkootee, during a quarrel in their Rankin Inlet home April 23, 2004. The then 22-year-old Irkootee died later that day at the local health centre.

Statements VanEindhoven made to police in the days after Irkootee's death re-surfaced last week in a 51-page decision from the justice overseeing the case, R.G. Kilpatrick. The statements - most of which Kilpatrick ruled the Crown could use if VanEindhoven testifies - shed light on a possible defence for the murder suspect.

VanEindhoven told Rankin RCMP almost 26 months ago that he awoke on the morning of April 23 to find Irkootee straddling his chest, holding a steak knife. The couple had an alcohol-fuelled fight the night before in which VanEindhoven admitted he punched Irkootee in the face.

VanEindhoven said Irkootee swung the knife downwards and he grabbed the blade between his hands. Irkootee tried to run from the couple's bedroom but fell backwards near the threshold onto the knife, which plunged into her chest, he said.

VanEindhoven said he removed the knife and called police, who arrived on the scene minutes later.

During the March-April phase of the trial, Gagnon contended VanEindhoven delivered the fatal stab wound, the final blow in what was a rocky relationship.

According to court documents, Irkootee called a social worker days before her death saying she was afraid of VanEindhoven and had moved in with her parents.

If convicted, VanEindhoven faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for at least 10 years.