Two Nunavut homicides may be resolved without trial

Homicides in Kimmirut and Rankin Inlet working their way through the Nunavut Court of Justice. (FILE PHOTO)

Two homicide cases addressed July 13 at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit — both of which began in the latter part of 2014 — appear to be heading for a resolution without going to trial.

First, Pauloosie Padluq, 44, of Kimmirut, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 2, 2014 death of Qummuattuq Simeonie.

Simeonie, 20 years old at the time of his death, died in an incident alleged to have taken place in or near Kimmirut last fall.

Defence lawyer James Morton, appearing by teleconference before Justice Robert Kilpatrick in an Iqaluit courtroom July 13, said a “tentative” resolution agreement has been negotiated with the Nunavut Crown’s prosecution office.

Morton asked Kilpatrick to adjourn the matter until Padluq enters a plea, after which Morton said he hopes a final agreement can be reached between lawyers.

Kilpatrick scheduled Padluq, who was not required to be in court July 13, to appear at the Nunavut Court of Justice Aug. 11 to enter a plea.

At that time Kilpatrick said he would consider a sentencing hearing.

Morton said he and the Crown’s office are also discussing a possible joint sentencing submission for Padluq.

In a separate homicide case heard in court July 13, Dwayne Sateana, 30, of Rankin Inlet is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 22, 2014, death of his 25-year-old girlfriend, Edith Angalik.

Police found Angalik’s naked body outdoors last November in the community’s Area 5 section.

Morton, also representing Sateana at the Nunavut Court of Justice July 13, said he is hopeful a resolution without trial can be reached in this case but that he hasn’t yet received all disclosures from the Crown.

Less than a month after Sateana was charged in connection with Angalik’s death, Morton told the Nunavut court a resolution was possible.

Kilpatrick adjourned Sateana’s matter to Aug. 10 at 1:30 p.m..