Whale Cove hamlet councillor charged with manslaughter, sex assault

Michael Angutetuar, a Whale Cove hamlet councillor, is facing charges of sexual assault, manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death.

The charges stem from an incident alleged to have occurred on March 25. A court-ordered publication ban prevents Nunatsiaq News from identifying the victim.

Angutetuar appeared in Iqaluit court Tuesday via videoconference, where he and his lawyer chose to proceed by a jury trial. He is being held in custody at the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility in Iqaluit.

Angutetuar is still technically a councillor because the RCMP arrested the 45-year-old before the hamlet council could ask him to resign, Whale Cove mayor Oliver Shipton said in a phone interview.

Shipton said a councillor can only be removed from office if he’s guilty of a crime or misses three meetings in a row.

He added that Angutetuar has missed one meeting and that the council will start looking to replace him in about four weeks.

Angutetuar’s next court appearance is set for July 21 in Iqaluit.