Bail hearing delayed for accused in Mary Ann Birmingham homicide

Elisapee Sheutiapik says she and others will walk from the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility to the Iqaluit courthouse every day when the man accused of murdering her sister Mary Ann Birmingham makes an appearance in court.

Jopey Atsiqtaq, charged with second-degree murder in Birmingham’s 1986 homicide in Iqaluit, was scheduled for a bail hearing Thursday morning.

Jopey Atsiqtaq enters the Nunavut courthouse for a June 19 appearance. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

But an apparent lapse in communication between Crown and defence lawyers resulted in an adjournment to June 25.

“Let’s just get on with it so that we can start to heal,” Sheutiapik said after court Thursday.

“It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride, every court case. It’s not fair. The justice system is not fair on the victims.”

During Atsiqtaq’s brief court appearance, defence lawyer Keir O’Flaherty told Justice Mark Mossey he did not receive materials from the Crown that he needed in time to prepare for the hearing.

Mossey accepted his adjournment request and set a new date.

Sheutiapik, who was accompanied by two supporters, expressed her frustrations about another delay.

But, she said she’s going to continue speaking up to make sure Birmingham continues to be remembered.

She’s also calling for policymakers to pay attention.

The route she intends to walk again before next Wednesday’s appearance is planned to make sure she and those who join her are seen by people who work at the RCMP detachment, the legislative assembly and nearby government offices.

“I am alive. I am walking for her and all the people’s lives that have been lost, and more so for the families that are suffering because of the system,” Sheutiapik said.