Man found guilty of killing his common-law wife after retrial
Judge reserves sentencing for later date
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 21, 2013
IQALUIT
Adrien VanEindhoven was once again found guilty of killing his common-law wife in 2004.
The Rankin Inlet man was sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for the crime.
But he received a retrial in Iqaluit earlier this month after his lawyer successfully argued an appeal last year.
During the retrial, a 12-person jury unanimously agreed VanEindhoven was responsible for the death of Leanne Irkootee, who was in her 20s at the time.
Irkootee was pronounced dead at the Rankin Inlet health centre in April 2004 after receiving a single stab wound from a steak knife that penetrated her heart.
Irkootee also suffered multiple blunt traumas, including bruising to the face, forehead, nose, jaw, inside of her lips and gums, both arms, knees, shins and her back. Plus she had bite marks on her back and neck.
Justice Earl Johnson has reserved sentencing for a later date.
Although second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, Johnson will have to decide when VanEindhoven will be eligible for parole.
The jury recommended he be eligible after 25 years.
Partway through the retrial, VanEindhoven's lawyer, Laura Stevens, considered filing a mistrial motion, according to court documents.
She brought forward concerns about the Crown's closing arguments, saying evidence was misstated, hyperbole was used and personal opinion given.
Johnson agreed some parts of the Crown's statement needed to be corrected.
"I am satisfied that the accused will receive a fair trial if I address some of the problems created by the Crown's address in my charge," he stated in a written statement on Oct. 15.
