Crown closes case in Kinngait brothers’ attempted murder trial

The final Crown witness in the trial of two Kinngait brothers accused of attempted murder testified Tuesday about her recollection of the alleged attack in 2021.

Archie and Laimiki Toonoo were charged following an incident involving a female who suffered serious injuries, Nunavut RCMP said in an Oct. 9, 2021 news release. Police said the victim was discovered near the RCMP’s Kinngait detachment shortly after midnight on Oct. 7, and was medevaced to Iqaluit for medical treatment.

The brothers’ trial began in February 2024 in Kinngait but was adjourned two days later over whether a witness’s statement to police should be admissible as evidence. The trial resumed Monday in Iqaluit and is expected to end Wednesday.

The last of the Crown’s four witnesses flew to Iqaluit from Kinngait to testify in court Tuesday afternoon. She was cross-examined by defence lawyers Ilan Neuman and Matthew Shadley about her account of witnessing the alleged attack.

Her original testimony, as well as questioning by Crown prosecutor Abel Dion, occurred before the trial was adjourned in February 2024.

In court Tuesday, she recalled drinking with the Toonoo brothers before the alleged attack. However, she said she didn’t know or couldn’t remember certain details when questioned by Neuman and Shadley.

She recalled being arrested when the RCMP suspected her of attempted murder, then being released when she was no longer considered a suspect. Despite being scared, she said, she answered questions from the officers.

After about 30 minutes of questioning from the defence and some follow-up questions from the Crown, Justice Christian Lyons let the witness know she was free to go.

The Toonoos, who have been in custody at the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility since their arrest, were in court for Tuesday’s brief proceedings. They wore blue sweatsuits and sat flanked by their lawyers and court officers.