Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 16, 2008

IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - A Cambridge Bay man was found guilty of manslaughter last week in the death of his friend almost two years ago.

In a written decision released June 11, Justice Earl Johnson found Willie Oakoak had used excessive force when he pushed Tommy Egotak down a set of stairs to his death on Aug. 18, 2006.

Oakoak was sentenced to time served in jail pre-trial and released.

On the afternoon of the incident, Oakoak had invited Egotak, 44, and Egotak's girlfriend over to his house.

When they arrived they found another female friend already seated on the couch.

All four began heavily drinking vodka.

Oakoak, who was 42 at the time, noticed the second woman was exposing herself to Egotak and that the two were discussing sex.

Oakoak grew worried because he was facing a sexual assault charge and "did not want any more trouble," according to Johnson's decision.

Oakoak asked the trio to leave, pushed them out the front door and locked it.

After one of the women kicked the door, he reopened it and pushed Egotak.

Egotak fell down the stairs, fracturing the base of his skull when he landed on the ground. He died a short time later.

Parts of the incident were witnessed by a sober 15-year-old girl.

The defence argued that an inebriated Egotak could have slipped on his own, and that the witness did not see the actual push.

Johnson ruled that the push amounted to an unlawful assault.

"He was not showing any resistance to leaving and was not responsible for kicking the door to the knowledge of the accused," wrote Johnson. "Unfortunately for the deceased, the accused lost control and lashed out at the wrong person at the wrong time, without warning."