Iqaluit man gets life sentence for murder

ANNETTE BOURGEOIS
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT Joanasie Korgak, 24, was sentenced to life imprisonment Wednesday for the murder of his 17-year-old cousin two years ago.

The Iqaluit man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Anuawalkooloo Davidee in July, 1995.

In delivering his sentence, Justice Ted Richard said alcohol and substance abuse, parental neglect, and low self-esteem were all factors that led Korgak to commit the murder.

Justice Richard described the events leading up to the shooting before passing sentence. He said on Friday evening, July 21, 1995, Korgak, along with Davidee and another friend, Kevin Amagoalik, purchased and consumed a 66-ounce bottle of liquor.

Around 10:30 that same evening they went for a ride on their bicycles. During that ride, there was a “scuffle” and “angry words had been exchanged,” Richard said.

Korgak left his two friends, went home, sawed off part of his father’s 12-gauge shotgun and went to Amagoalik’s house.

“He felt he had been picked upon, ganged up on, and he decided to do something about,” Richard said.

Korgak confronted Davidee at the Amagoalik residence, then shot him at point-blank range in the chest. Korgak left the residence and was arrested by police the next morning at his home. He’s been in custody ever since.

Justice Richard said a clinical psychologist who examined Korgak reported that he feels remorse for the murder.

He added that Korgak suffers from a “major mental illness” exacerbated by a significant substance abuse problem, which began with sniffing solvents at age nine. As a result Korgak, who quit school in Grade 4, has limited intellectual and cognitive abilities.

Korgak, who’ll serve his sentence in a federal penitentiary outside the Northwest Territories, is eligible for parole after serving 10 years. He’s prohibited from possessing a firearm for 10 years after his release from custody.