Iqaluit man to stand trial for manslaughter in woman’s death

Jimmy Nowdlak of Iqaluit will stand trial for manslaughter, not first-degree murder, in connection with the eventual death of a woman who was sexually assaulted near Iqaluit’s Astro Hill complex in September 2008.

The 57-year-old woman, who at the time of the attack was visiting Iqaluit from another community to attend medical appointments, died Aug. 29, 2010.

Nowdlak, 27, was originally charged with sexual assault in connection with the incident. But the Crown laid a first-degree murder charge against him on March 1, 2011. The court held a preliminary inquiry in August 2011 to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the murder charge.

In a judgment issued Sept. 16, Justice Earl Johnson ruled that there is not enough evidence to justify a first degree murder charge, and ordered that Nowdlak stand trial on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The woman’s name and any evidence from the preliminary hearing are barred from publication by a court order.

Nowdlak’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 3.