Iqaluit artist facing multiple assault charges gets a defence lawyer

This prominent mural on a retaining wall for the driveway that leads to Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit is just one of many pieces of public art that Jonathan Cruz has created over the past decade in Nunavut and Nunavik. He now faces four counts of assault and four counts of overcoming resistance to commit a crime and has yet to enter pleas. He is scheduled to return to the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit June 4. (FILE PHOTO)

Jonathan Cruz, the well-known Iqaluit artist who faces multiple assault charges, will see his case come before the Nunavut Court of Justice again June 4 following proceedings May 21 before a justice of the peace.

Cruz, who started the successful NuSchool Design Agency, has painted prominent public murals scattered throughout Nunavut and Nunavik — including murals in Iqaluit, Igloolik and Kuujjuaq.

He did not appear in court May 21, but defence lawyer Alison Crowe filed a counsel designation form in open court, thereby becoming his counsel.

During proceedings, a Nunavut Crown lawyer also withdrew one assault charge previously laid against Cruz.

Cruz now faces a total of eight charges related to an incident involving a single complainant: four counts of assault and four counts of overcoming resistance to commit a crime.

After moving from Toronto to Iqaluit in 2001, Cruz became prominent in Nunavut for his mural-painting and design skills before opening NuSchool Design Agency in 2009.

Cruz has worked with troubled youth on some of his Nunavut art projects, crediting art for steering clear of a life of drugs and crime and in the past has portrayed himself as a role model for youth.

The charges that Cruz faces have not been proven in court, and he has not yet entered any pleas.