Two Nunavut homicide cases put over to November

Nunavut’s criminal court in Iqaluit adjourned two high-profile homicide cases Oct. 21, pending full disclosures from Crown prosecutors.

Defence lawyer Alison Crowe requested a one-month adjournment in the case of Steven Akittirq, who is accused of first degree murder in an incident alleged to have occurred in or near Igloolik in June.

Police laid the charges after discovering a deceased woman outside of town.

Crowe is awaiting full disclosure of an autopsy report which Crown lawyer Marian Bryant said was completed in June. She is also waiting full disclosure of a forensics report in relation to the case.

Akittirq last appeared in court Sept. 30, when his case was adjourned so he could find a new lawyer — his previous lawyer, Laura Stevens, had been appointed in September to a judge’s position in Alberta.

Crowe also requested a one-month adjournment in the case of a Pond Inlet man accused of second degree murder.

Jeffrey Killikte appeared briefly via video conference from the Baffin Correctional Centre and is charged in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred in Pond Inlet in September.

RCMP discovered the dead body of a 43-year old man in Pond Inlet Sept. 28 and laid charges Sept. 29.

Crowe requested the delay as she awaits full disclosure of autopsy results and blood analysis reports from the Crown.

Akittirq and Killikte are both scheduled to appear at the Nunavut Court of Justice Nov. 25.