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Court briefs 'Cape Dorset would like to see justice done in the community' Casey Lessard Northern News Services Published Monday, February 13, 2012
Crown prosecutor Paul Bychok said the court would hear from "a large number of witnesses," mostly civilians and experts, and said a change to trial by judge alone, instead of judge and jury, would be forthcoming. Kingwatsiak was charged after carver Mappaluk Adla was found dead in a Cape Dorset home on Sept. 20, 2010. Bychok recommended hearing the case in Iqaluit, but Kilpatrick noted it would be hard to find space in the capital for three weeks of court time. Kringuk case finally gets trial date A 2008 second-degree murder case is finally going to trial. Despite Crown objections, Nunavut Chief Justice Robert Kilpatrick set aside one week starting June 25 to try Joyce Kringuk, who is accused of killing Joani Kringayark in Repulse Bay in August 2008. Crown prosecutor Marian Bryant asked for more time, noting she had at least one witness, a police officer, who was not available that week. Bryant also said the Crown was in the process of finding another expert to testify. Kilpatrick denied Bryant's request because Kringuk "is in custody, and has been for some time," he said Feb. 6. Instead, he suggested the week of June 25 be set aside, and gave lawyers a chance to revisit the date on March 5. Korgak murder case may soon be resolved Lawyers say a resolution may be possible in the case of Idlout Korgak, who is accused of second-degree murder after a July 2011 hit-and-run incident in Rankin Inlet. "The resolution has only been discussed by Crown and defence," defence lawyer Tom Boyd said by telephone. "If we can set a date for a preliminary inquiry, I will talk to my client about resolution." Korgak is accused of leaving the scene after Paul Kataluk was hit by an all-terrain vehicle July 9, 2011. Kataluk died from his injuries. Chief Justice Robert Kilpatrick set aside three days starting July 24 for the case. deVries nears resolution on some charges Marijuana activist Ed deVries is "close" to pleading guilty to some of the numerous charges against him, his lawyer Alison Crowe told Chief Justice Robert Kilpatrick Feb. 6. A crusader for access to medical marijuana for Nunavummiut, deVries faces a long list of drug possession and trafficking charges stemming from three raids on his home, church and the Qikiqtaaluk Compassion Society. He also faces sexual assault and child pornography charges. The case returns to court Feb. 29. Still no date for Arreak case resolution Pending a guilty plea in the Kenneth Arreak murder case, lawyers expect sentencing will take place in April, court heard Feb. 6. Chief federal prosecutor Barry McLaren and defence lawyer Andy Mahar will discuss the case further now that an anticipated report has been handed over to them, and a defence election may be made at Arreak's March 5 court appearance. If a guilty plea is entered, they will then decide whether to book sentencing in Pond Inlet or elsewhere, court heard. Arreak is accused of killing his common-law wife on Dec. 30, 2010, in Pond Inlet. She died after an assault that included several blows to the head. The accused's murder charge is expected to be reduced to manslaughter in exchange for a plea. Youth faces four charges A youth is facing four break-and-enter related charges after four businesses were allegedly broken into late last month in Hall Beach. Police in the community received complaints of break and enters at the Hall Beach hamlet office, Nunavut Arctic College, the Hall Beach Hunters and Trappers Association office and the Advanced Explorations office on Jan. 28, police stated. "Damage was caused to each of the buildings by the culprit(s) forcing entry by breaking a window or door," stated RCMP Cpl. David Ferguson in a press release. "The contents of several offices were disturbed and thrown onto the floor as the person(s) responsible searched for items of value." A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with three counts of break-and-enter with intent to commit theft and one count of break-and-enter and commit theft. The youth is scheduled to appear in youth court in Hall Beach on March 8. - Jeanne Gagnon
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