Former student testifies he was raped by ex-teacher Johnny Meeko

Meeko facing 18-sex related charges in court; accused expected to testify later this week

Johnny Meeko, shown here outside the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit last week, faces 18 sex-related criminal charges. His trial began May 23. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)

By Meral Jamal

A former student testified Monday that he was raped by Johnny Meeko while Meeko was his teacher during the 1990s.

Meeko is on trial at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit for 18 sex-related charges. Four were laid in 2019 while the other 14 are being re-tried after Meeko won an appeal of his 2017 conviction.

The former student testified he was in Grade 3 when the attack is alleged to have occurred, and at the time he didn’t understand what had happened to him.

He admitted he struggled with his memory from that time, but said he came forward in 2019 because he was “tired of holding it in.”

Monday was the fifth day of Meeko’s trial by jury, which began May 23.

The charges against Meeko follow accusations from 11 complainants, most of whom were in his Grade 3 class at Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq between the 1970s and the early 2000s. Three witnesses who were not among the complainants also testified Friday and Monday.

Other former students have testified that Meeko spanked them, touched them inappropriately over and under their clothes, and asked them sex-related questions.

The trial resumes Wednesday with the defence presenting its case. It’s expected Meeko will testify in his own defence. Closing statements are expected Thursday and the jury could be sequestered by Friday to begin its deliberations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(1) Comment:

  1. Posted by Sincere Question on

    How would traditional justice look here?

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