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Trial ordered for former Inuvik teacher Laura Busch Northern News Services Published Monday, May 14, 2012
Deciding there was enough evidence to warrant a Supreme Court judge and jury trial, Judge Christine Gagnon made the ruling following a preliminary inquiry held Thursday and Friday in Inuvik. The public was banned from hearing the testimony presented during the preliminary inquiry to protect the witnesses and prevent a future jury from hearing the details of the case before a trial. Also, two new charges - one charge of invitation to sexual touching involving a minor, and one charge of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking - were added Friday. No trial date had been set as of press deadline. On Wednesday, Gagnon had found Latour, 39, not guilty of forcible confinement and assault, stating that too much doubt had been raised at trial by the conflicting testimony given by Latour and the complainant to enter a conviction on either charge. Both the trial and preliminary inquiry were held in French, at Latour's request. A translator was used to communicate between the court and English-speaking witnesses. Latour has been in jail since he was arrested on Sept. 26, 2011. He elected Friday to continue being held in custody, though he reserves the right to request a bail review in the future. On May 4, Latour was sentenced to 60 days in jail after being found guilty of assault, forcible entry and failing to follow court conditions. He has lived in Inuvik since 2007, taught grades 5 and 6 at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and worked as Samuel Hearne Secondary School's French immersion teacher. He has not worked at either school since winter 2010.
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