Iqaluit woman will stand trial on second degree murder

IQALUIT — Iqaluit resident Mary Deschenes has been ordered to stand trial on a charge of second degree murder following a three-day preliminary inquiry.

The preliminary inquiry, held to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to send Deschenes to trial, was held last week in Iqaluit. The court heard evidence from five Crown witnesses.

Evidence given at preliminary inquiries cannot be published or broadcast until after the trial is over.

Police first charged Deschenes, formerly Mary Kilabuk, in April of 1999.

The charge followed what police termed the “suspicious” death of Deschene’s boyfriend, Gilles Bergeron, 34.

Deschenes is scheduled to appear in court in Iqaluit on Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. in order to have a trial date set.