Preliminary hearing set for Pond Inlet murder case

A Pond Inlet woman charged with second-degree murder will face a preliminary hearing in her home community, Justice Neil Sharkey said at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on Feb. 3.

Alicia Manik, 24, is charged in connection with the 2018 death of Stephan Enoogoo in the north Baffin community.

Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether enough evidence exists to send an accused to trial.

If Manik is ordered to stand trial, she has opted for a judge and jury trial.

The court ordered a publication ban ahead of the preliminary hearing that prevents the publishing of any information collected so far in the case.

The purpose of the ban is to ensure the accused’s right to a fair trial and presumption of innocence.

But a number of witnesses are expected to testify at the hearing, including the mother and father of the victim.

Manik was released on bail and must reside in a Nunavut community outside of Pond Inlet, according to a release order at the court dated Jan. 10.

Manik’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 18 in Pond Inlet at 9:30 a.m.