Iqaluit man’s repeated domestic violence a factor in murder sentence
Lucassie Korgak sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years for killing girlfriend Enoosiq Tikivik in 2019
Lucassie Korgak of Iqaluit has been handed a life sentence with no chance of parole for 14 years in the killing of his girlfriend in 2019. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Lucassie Korgak’s history of domestic violence was a focus of his sentencing for the murder of his girlfriend in 2019.
In an Iqaluit courtroom Thursday, Justice Susan Charlesworth sentenced Korgak to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years
Korgak, 41, was to stand trial Monday for the second-degree murder of Enoosiq Tikivik. However, while jury selection was underway Korgak changed his plea to guilty.
At Thursday’s sentencing, Crown prosecutor Abel Dion outlined the case.
Korgak and Tikivik, 33, had been dating for six years, Dion told the court.
Korgak had been previously convicted of assaulting her, as well as a previous girlfriend.
Throughout his many convictions for assault and violating court orders dating back to 2004, several Nunavut justices said Korgak becomes “dangerous” to his partners when he drinks alcohol.
When Korgak killed Tikivik on Sept. 20, 2019, he was facing three charges of having assaulted her at different points in the year, and was under several court orders to not contact her and not consume or possess alcohol.
Despite that, Korgak invited Tikivik to his apartment where they drank beer and wine the night before he killed her, according to Dion.
After midnight, Tikivik decided she wanted to leave. Korgak became agitated and jealous because he thought that she was going to meet someone else.
He punched her and strangled her until she was unconscious.
After checking to find that she had no pulse, Korgak slashed Tikivik’s neck with a knife.
At around 4 a.m., Korgak walked from his apartment to the RCMP’s Iqaluit detachment. He told officers he thought his girlfriend was dead and he wanted them to check on her. He told them he didn’t know what had happened.
Korgak gave officers the keys to his apartment, where they found Tikivik’s body in a bloody crime scene.
Not yet a suspect, officers took Korgak to the house of his parents, who were sleeping.
At 6:36 a.m., Korgak went back to the RCMP in a taxi and met the same officers he spoke to earlier.
“I remember, I did it,” Korgak told them, Dion told the court.
Korgak was arrested and appeared in court later that day.
In subsequent RCMP interviews, Korgak admitted to his crimes. Before turning himself in, he thought about killing himself.
On Thursday, Dr. Reagan Gale, a clinical psychologist, shared her report on Korgak’s cognitive state.
She diagnosed Korgak with a “major neurocognitive disorder,” stemming from multiple traumatic brain injuries and his substance use disorder.
He has shown little “limited” improvement to his condition and is not likely to completely recover, she said.
Seven of Tikivik’s family members were in the courtroom Thursday. On the opposite side of the gallery were three members of Korgak’s family.
Different members of Tikivik’s family held up a framed photo of her, which could be seen by the judge, Korgak and people in the gallery.
The Crown submitted seven victim impact statements from Tikivik’s family.
Her eldest daughter described her mother as kind and caring, and described how devastating it was as a teenager to lose her.
She and her sister feared Korgak, who treated their mother like a “personal punching bag.”
When she learned of her mother’s death, she knew who was responsible.
“You took advantage of her kindness,” Tikivik’s daughter said to Korgak.
“You belong behind bars for the rest of your miserable life.”
Tikivik’s stepmother read the remaining impact statements aloud.
She described the painful four years for the family, waiting to confront Korgak.
“I hate you with all my heart,” she said.
Charlesworth appeared to be moved by the statements. She said the Tikivik family is strong and wished them the best while they heal.
Before leaving the courtroom to write her decision, Charlesworth asked Korgak if he wanted to speak.
Korgak apologized.
“I’m sorry to the family,” he said.
“I’m sorry to my family and the community too.”
In her decision, Charlesworth said Korgak needed to serve more than the minimum sentence because of his history of domestic violence, and because Tikivik was a vulnerable Indigenous woman in a position where she trusted him.
Charlesworth emphasized that the Parole Board of Canada makes decisions about parole, and that murderers often apply but are denied.
This sounds.like an encouragement to become North Canada, like in North Korea…
Why they are upgrading the defense, throughout the Arctic Circle… these killing advertisements had gone long enough trying to break us apart… we are Inuit,, meaning living people… what are they doing??? Wake up please….
I think you have stumbled into the wrong article.
Red Dress day was just last weekend. Sadly knowing our system, he’ll be out in 14 years. Scary especially the phycologist said he’s unlikely to fully recover from his mental problems. No more MMIW.
The reality is that there are many men and women affected by psychological and neurological impairments throughout Nunavut.
There are laughably few spaces for assisted living that many people would benefit from directly, and the community would benefit by improved public safety. Demand far outstrips supply.
As a police officer, I would see children with FASD before me grow into adults with FASD, who later become enmeshed with the criminal justice system that is badly unprepared and unable to meaningfully address the underlying issues. I use FASD only as an example. People with under treated mental illness of all types suffer similarly.
This is the reality of Nunavut. Until the underlying mental issues that relate back to the incredible degree of trauma inflicted on Nunavut are addressed, this issue will continue to fester.
This comment is 100% accurate.
Rest in peace Enoosiq! Sending my thoughts and love to the family.
The justice system knew this person was dangerous and had previous abuse but no jail time?? This is what happens when domestic abuse isn’t taken seriously, lives are lost too soon. The system is to blame as well. He deserves to rot behind bars, you took a life, you give your life. Evil! Not only did you strangle her but, went and used a weapon when she clearly didn’t survive. Disgusting.
This could’ve been prevented by the Justice system!
What is your source to say he hasn’t done any jail time?
He still had 3 assault charges heading to court as well.
Perhaps he should have been held in custody awaiting trial on them.
Thank the Liberal/NDP government for allowing dangerous offenders out on bail.
Remember that at the next federal election.
Another murder. By a repeat offender.
Facts are the justice system was fully aware that he was abusing her.
He had been convicted of abusing her previously.
He had a restraining order against him. Meaning no contact with the victim.
After all of this he kills her.
Whose to blame?
The judge who let him out. To let him beat her all over again. Until he killed her.
The justice system again who let him back out into society. After being charged again with assaults’.
Then he kills her. See any thing wrong here.
Oh yeah I forgot he would have been a gd saint. If there were facilities in place to provide treatment for his mental disabilities.
The truth is this poor woman was left exposed by the courts the RCMP. To this animal. And she lost her life because of it.
How many more woman have to loose their lives here in Nunavut?
When Korgak killed Tikivik on Sept. 20, 2019, he was facing three charges of having assaulted her at different points in the year, and was under several court orders to not contact her and not consume or possess alcohol.
Despite that, Korgak invited Tikivik to his apartment where they drank beer and wine the night before he killed her, according to Dion.
Warnings to women who have been or are being abused by any man . He can invite you to his home, you don’t have to go.
This is not a man. This is a monster. Lock him up and throw away the key forever.
Thank your NDP/Liberal government for that and remember your comment at the next election.
Repeat offenders should not be out on bail. Period.
At least this judge did the best she could to safeguard the community from this man. The incontinent stupidity of many judges in failing to do that is disgraceful. And, by the way, it took hold in the Supreme Court with their condescending decision in Gladue. Say it again: it’s victims and would-be future victims that need compassion, not violent criminals.
My deepest condolences to the families for your loss and my thoughts are with you. Another murder by domestic violence death. In 2016 after investigating similar death by the previous chief coroner, reviewed a domestic violence case of triple murder and suicide case of iqaluit and brought many recommendations resulting from the Toronto do estimate violence death review committee to the Deputy Minister of Justice at the time. These recommendations pointed out the lack of training and available resources to ensure that the police, healthcare providers, community Justice workers and family services are trained to provide support to clients suffering from domestic violence to keep them safe. They felt threatened by her presence .
MLA tabled the recommendation and ask why it was not implemented or made aware to the public to prevent similar deaths. Typical GN Justice Ministers response was “it’s up to the Coroner to decide” whereas the DM of Justice decided and advised not to release as this will be subject to criticism . So how will you prevent these happening in Nunavut?
Another interesting detail in this case is drinking issue. we have lots of alcohol and drug abuse in Nunavut due to historic trauma that individuals have undergone due to various reason and they are looking ways to numb the pain. But what did GN do until date? Justice Minister at the time was more keen to count the revenue that the beer store is going to generate but where is the detoxification / addiction treatment facility, mental health facility with assessments ,plannings and evaluation to implement? The Minster who asked the addictions treatment facility before opening the beer and wine store but what happen, GN gangs up. If people are not receiving the suggestion and or recommendations in the best interests of the public , we can’t do Justice to the people who lost their lives with these violent deaths to protect the living. It’s very unfortunate.
The article says that Korgak had been previously been convicted of assaulting this victim and, at the time of her murder, it looks like he had been released on bail more than once for assaulting her. The sad fact is that if he had been in jail and not on bail in 2019, he would not have been able to do what he did. If we want to prevent these deaths from happening in the future, we need to stop releasing domestic abusers on bail over and over again. This case sadly shows how dangerous this catch and release policy is that’s being used by our courts. You can’t blame the politicians. They’re not the ones letting these dangerous people out over and over again. The court system needs to take a step back and reflect on this. Why was this man repeatedly granted bail?? That’s the proverbial gorilla in the room that they need to address.
One small step we can take is to ask our leaders to pass “Clare’s Law” for Nunavut. We should allow our community members to have important information about their own intimate partner’s history of violence. Nunavummiut should be allowed to make informed decisions.