Sanikiluaq man pleads not guilty to murdering his wife on 1st day of trial
Juror dismissed after citizen heard him say he would ‘defend’ the accused
A judge in Sanikiluaq says jurors must be impartial when she dismissed a juror in a murder trial who was overheard saying he would “defend'” the man on trial for first-degree murder of his wife. (File photo)
A man pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of his wife Tuesday on the first day of what is expected to be a three-week jury trial in Sanikiluaq.
On April 19, 2024, RCMP arrested Danny Paul Eyaituk, who was 38 at the time, after his wife Annie Tracy Oqaituq, 36, was found dead in their home.
On Tuesday, Chief Justice Susan Cooper said a community member informed the Crown privately that a juror was overheard saying, “I’m going to defend [the accused].”
The juror admitted he made the remark but added he had since changed his mind, Cooper said.
“It is important that triers of facts, judges and what jurors are, must not only be impartial but seen to be impartial,” Cooper said.
The juror was dismissed, and an alternate was selected to take his place.
Jury selection began at 10:30 a.m. and finished up at 1:30 p.m. Jurors returned at 3 p.m., to receive instructions from the judge.
Day two of the trial continues Wednesday with testimony expected to begin.
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