Accused killer to stand trial

Silas Ammaklak, a Hall Beach man accused of killing a woman more than three years ago, has been committed to stand trial on a charge of second degree murder following a preliminary inquiry.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick made the decision Nov. 23.

The charges are in connection with the death of Susan Natar. She died in an Ottawa hospital on Sept. 21, 2003, five days after being flown there from Hall Beach.

Police first charged Ammaklak with aggravated assault and two counts of obstructing justice, alleging the solicitation of false testimony.

After Natar died, the Crown raised the aggravated assault charge to second-degree murder. Evidence given in preliminary inquiries may not be published or broadcast.