Panniqtuuq teens short lawyers

A Nunavut court judge hopes all seven men accused in an alleged mob beating of three teens in Panniqtuuq will have lawyers by the next court appearance in September.

One of the accused men, wearing baggy blue jeans, a black Nike jacket and black running shoes, shrugged his shoulders on Monday, when Justice Robert Kilpatrick asked if he had a lawyer.

Andrew Evic, 18, was the latest in seven men, mostly teenagers, ages 16 to 20, to appear in court in Iqaluit on 13 charges of assault and unlawful confinement.

Police in Panniqtuuq arrested the seven men after they trapped and attacked three teens, ages 14 to 16, in a shack near the community’s breakwater on July 11. Police say the group of seven were drinking and partying at the time.

A couple of the accused men still don’t have lawyers. On Monday, defence lawyers said there weren’t enough present to handle the entire caseload.

One accused attacker, 16, cannot be named under the Young Offender’s Act. The others include Imo Kakee, Noah Ishulutak, Peter Nakashuk, and Luke Etuangat.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20 in Iqaluit.