A Nunavut Court of Appeal decision strikes the guilty pleas in an assault case, after the accused argued he did not enter the pleas voluntarily. The matter has now been remitted for trial. (File photo)
Kelly Akpaleapik argued his pleas were not voluntary because he was under intense pressure from complainant
The Nunavut Court of Appeal has overturned a decision that initially denied an accused man’s application to withdraw his guilty pleas. Kelly Akpaleapik pleaded guilty to charges of assault and sexual assault against his ex-partner in June 2019.
Gjoa Haven residents hold up caribou pants and parkas made during a five-week program at Nattilik Heritage Centre. The clothing will be donated to the local search and rescue operation. From left: student Lisa Kirnik, NHS manager Jennifer Ullulaq, student Rhea Siutinnuaq, mentors Mary Qingnatuq and Elizabeth Hiqiniq, and search and rescue chairperson Amber Eleeheetook. Absent are student Melanie Kununak and mentor Ruth Qirqqu. (Photo courtesy of the NHS/Facebook)
The number of vessels sailing the passage’s Arctic waters grew by 44 percent from 2013 to 2019 and total distance more than doubled, a new PAME report found