Accused killer faces preliminary hearing

Crown lawyers John Solski and Marion Bryant began presenting evidence in an Iqaluit courtroom Dec. 1 as a lengthy preliminary inquiry for accused killer Mark King Jeffrey got under way.

Jeffrey, 22, faces a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Jennifer Naglingiq, 13, whose body was found during the first few minutes after midnight on Dec. 6, 2002, at house 2230-B in Iqaluit.

Preliminary inquiries are held to determine whether there is enough evidence to send accused persons to trial, and on what charges. A court order prevents the broadcast or publication of any evidence given during Jeffrey’s inquiry.

Jeffrey, who was arrested and charged last March, wore a hooded white sweatshirt with blue shoulder panels, and a pair of black track pants. He sat quietly throughout the proceedings, often rocking back and forth. From time to time, he answered whispered questions from his lawyer, Michael Chandler.

As Justice Robert Kilpatrick heard evidence throughout Monday and Tuesday, friends and family members of both the victim and the accused dropped in and out of the courtroom to hear the proceedings.

The inquiry was delayed Monday morning when Naglingiq’s grieving mother, Nicotye, lost her composure as she entered the courtroom. The proceedings resumed after a delay of about an hour and a half.

When news of Naglingiq’s death spread throughout Iqaluit last December, the community was traumatized.

Administrators at Inuksuk High School, where Naglingniq was a Grade 8 student, worked round the clock after her death to provide emotional support for the school’s 460 students.

Naglingniq’s death overshadowed a vigil held at Inuksuk High School to mark the 13th anniversary of the 1989 Montreal massacre, when a deranged gunman shot 14 women at L’Ecole Polytechnique.

After police arrested, charged, and then released one man in connection with Naglingiq’s death, many residents became increasingly impatient with the RCMP’s investigation into the crime.

Jeffrey was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in late March, and has been held in custody since.

Kilpatrick adjourned the inquiry on Tuesday at noon. The proceeding was to resume on the morning of Dec. 4, after certain witnesses were to have flown into Iqaluit from the South.

About two weeks of court time have been reserved for Jeffrey’s preliminary inquiry.