Violent offender back on the streets
Lawyer says diagnosed psychopath Jonah Keyuajuk trying to turn his life around
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Friday, September 18, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A violent offender who breached his bail conditions less than 24 hours after being released from jail last month is back on streets after a judge issued him a peace bond with a new set of conditions and possibly harsher consequences should he misstep again.
On Thursday, Jonah Keyuajuk, the subject of a rare RCMP public warning in August, left territorial court a free man after a judge released him under strict conditions that he must abide in order to avoid returning to jail. - James Goldie/NNSLphoto |
Jonah Keyuajuk, 44, appeared in court Thursday to address the new charges against him for breaking bail conditions set last month, and for a hearing on police fears that he poses a threat to the public.
Earlier this year, Keyuajuk completed a jail sentence for a series of violence crimes, and made it known he planned to move to Yellowknife upon release.
A recent Parole Board of Canada report notes Keyuajuk was serving two years and seven days for assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and assault -- use of force. Crown prosecutor Susanne Boucher told Yellowknifer Keyuajuk came to Yellowknife from Nunavut but did not state the name of the facility he served his latest sentence.
Police swore before Judge Bernadette Schmaltz that he posed a high risk of committing a serious personal injury offense and on these grounds were granted a warrant to arrest him immediately after his jail sentence expired and place him under a recognizance. He was released in Yellowknife Aug. 27 and arrested the next day after violating the conditions of the release.
Boucher said that first evening at 10:45 p.m., RCMP officers arrived at the men's Salvation Army shelter where Keyuajuk was to be staying and learned he was not there. Officers found him at 4 a.m. sleeping on a bench near Franklin Avenue and Matonabee Street. Officers reported that he appeared to be drunk when they woke him.
Keyuajuk was arrested again. Rather than seeking bail a second time, he chose to wait in custody until his hearing.
Boucher entered Keyuajuk's criminal record as evidence at yesterday's hearing, pointing out that he has "a significant history of violence and sexual offences" and that "he has not had any crime-free periods of any significant period since" the late 1980s. She also pointed to a 2014 psychological assessment that diagnosed him as a psychopath.
Keyuajuk's lawyer Charles Davison said his client had initially planned to fight the terms and the recognizance being imposed on him due to the police allegations that he was likely to re-offend. However, before Thursday's hearing he changed his mind and decided to accept the conditions.
Davison told Schmaltz this change in heart was evidence of Keyuajuk's earnest desire to turn around his life.
"His attitude has changed," said Davison. "It wasn't my urging. It was him giving it some thought."
Schmaltz imposed a 30-day sentence on Keyuajuk for his breach of bail in August. Because he had spent 21 days in custody in the lead-up to Thursday's hearing, she granted his release that day for time served. Some of the conditions imposed this time include a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., a prohibition on consuming alcohol or entering any business where the sale of alcohol is its primary purpose, and a requirement to advise police of where he lives and works.
The conditions are similar to those of his last release; however, this time he has been issued a peace bond, which means the consequences of another breach are potentially much harsher - Keyuajuk could potentially land back in jail for up to two years.
Schmaltz described his breach of bail in August as "aggravating," and warned him of the potential consequences of similar behaviour.
"I've made it clear what happens if you break (these conditions)," Schmaltz said.
Keyuajuk declined to make any comments before the court.
