Rankin Inlet (Nov 17/04) - People who kill should not be given another chance to walk freely on this Earth, said the still grieving brother of murder victim Donna Kusugak.

Lorne Kusugak lays a wreath in honour of those who gave their lives for freedom during Reembrance Day ceremonies last week, while still grieving the violent death of his sister at the hands of a Whale Cove man. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Lorne Kusugak made the statement after Allen Kabvitok, 36, of Whale Cove was sentenced to 14 years in a federal penitentiary for killing Kusugak's sister in Rankin Inlet in March 2003. The cause of death was ruled to be strangulation.

Kabvitok was sentenced in Rankin this past week after having his charge reduced to manslaughter from second-degree murder in a plea arrangement.

He will be eligible for parole after seven years.

Kusugak was having a tough time dealing with the length of the sentence Kabvitok received for ending his sister's life and leaving her three children without their mother.

"If someone takes another person's life, they shouldn't be allowed to get out of jail at any time," said Kusugak.

"The justice system has to start taking a very serious look at what sentences like this mean to women in Nunavut as a whole."

Kusugak said the murder rate in Nunavut is appalling and won't come down until the courts start sending a stronger message to violent offenders.

He said no sooner had the sentence been read in Rankin, he heard the news of another person being incarcerated in Cambridge Bay for attempted murder.

"Until such time as we see these murderers locked up for life, with no chance for parole, these terrible crimes are going to continue.

"They should be locked in jail and the key thrown away. Where is it going to stop? Let Donna's brutal murder be the last one here."

Kusugak said the courts don't put enough emphasis on the pain and suffering of loved ones left behind by violence, especially when children are left without their mother.

He said the sentences being handed out in Nunavut don't do enough to deter those committing the crimes.

"We have too many people here who continue to build their criminal records and history of violence until somebody pays with their life. You look at his (Kabvitok's) past and you see this type of act was inevitable. You could see the pattern and where it was going. He split open my sister after he killed her -- and this man is going to walk in our community again as a free man?

"It shouldn't be allowed to happen."