After hearing testimony from four Crown witnesses at a preliminary inquiry in Yellowknife this week, Judge Michel Bourassa ruled there is sufficient evidence for a second-degree murder trial.

The accused, who was 17 when the killing occurred on June 23, will be tried in adult court.

Because of changes to the Young Offenders Act in 1995, a 16- or 17-year-old charged with murder automatically faces trial in adult court unless a judge grants an order to transfer the charge to youth court.

The suspect's lawyer, James Brydon, attempted to do just that, but the transfer order was denied by Bourassa in September.

If convicted in adult court, the man faces a life sentence with at least seven years in prison.

He is also charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, which will be dealt with in youth court.

The accused is set to enter pleas on those charges during the next territorial court circuit in Rae-Edzo, which is scheduled for mid-January.