Naujaat mayor’s sexual assault trial delayed to next year

Naujaat Mayor Kevin Tegumiar’s sexual assault trial is rescheduled for early next year, as the complainant wasn’t able to attend court Wednesday due to her child’s medical travel.

Tegumiar, 38, was charged on May 12, 2022, related to an alleged incident in Naujaat on Jan. 15, 2022, according to court documents. The identity of his accuser is protected by a publication ban.

His trial was scheduled for Wednesday at Naujaat’s community hall.

Crown prosecutor Ori Powell requested the adjournment once proceedings began.

“It is having a significant impact on my client as the mayor of this community,” said Tegumiar’s lawyer Alan Regel, expressing discontent with Powell’s request.

Regel said Tegumiar wants the matter resolved as soon as possible, as at various meetings he is being asked about the outstanding charges.

Tegumiar has not responded to numerous requests for comment by phone, social media or through his lawyer.

Regel said the court should check whether the accuser has made an attempt to work her medical travel around the trial — a suggestion Justice Susan Cooper rejected.

“I think in all of our small communities, medical travel is such that when it is provided to you, you take it, you don’t say no to it,” she said.

Tegumiar’s trial is rescheduled to Feb. 27, 2025, in Naujaat.