Preliminary hearing opens for man charged in Rankin Inlet murder

A Rankin Inlet man charged with first-degree murder appeared for the first day of what’s expected to be a three-day preliminary hearing in court in Iqaluit Monday.

Jack Ekwalak, 44, was charged June 8, 2024, in Rankin Inlet after RCMP discovered the body of a woman, later identified as Tracey Netser. Ekwalak surrendered to RCMP about seven hours after police issued a shelter-in-place warning for hamlet residents while officers searched for the suspect near the hamlet’s firing range.

In court Monday morning, Ekwalak appeared before Justice Susan Charlesworth. He wore a grey dress shirt with blue pants. His hair was cut short and he had a goatee.

For much of the hearing, Ekwalak leaned forward with his hands folded in his lap, observing proceedings or staring at the table in front of him. He occasionally whispered with his lawyer, Alan Regel.

Several members of Netser’s family attended the proceedings and appeared to avoid glancing toward Ekwalak. One family member wore dark sunglasses. A victim services staff member sat nearby.

The preliminary hearing, which is held to allow the judge to determine whether evidence supports proceeding to trial, was originally to begin in March. Charlesworth adjourned the hearing until September to provide the defence more time to go over the evidence.

Evidence presented at the preliminary hearing cannot be reported because of a court-ordered publication ban, Charlesworth ruled, following a request by Crown lawyer Abel Dion.

Ekwalak remains in custody. The hearing continues Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.