Pang attacker appears in court

Tommy Nuvaqiq appeared in an Iqaluit courtroom this past Tuesday, just in time to hear two lawyers repeat, for his benefit, what they had already decided before they realized Nuvaqiq was present in the courthouse.

Nuvaqiq is charged with attempted murder, related to an attack on a Pangnirtung woman in June of last year. Other charges include breaking and entering to commit an offense, resisting arrest, and aggravated sexual assault.

The 31-year-old woman was a student, working on a special assignment in Pangnirtung at the time of the attack.

Nuvaqiq was arrested on July 16 and has been in police custody ever since.

Defence counsel Sue Cooper, and the Crown attorney agreed to defer setting a date for a preliminary enquiry until after Nunatsiaq News press-time this week.

The preliminary inquiry is expected to take two days, and will likely be held in Iqaluit.