Murder charge in 2020 Eabametoong First Nation death withdrawn

A charge of second-degree murder against a youth, stemming from an incident in Eabametoong First Nation last year, has been withdrawn.

The youth — who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act — was charged in July 2020, over the death of Arlene Wapoose.

In addition to the count of second-degree murder, the youth was facing two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

However, during a court proceeding on March 15, those charges were withdrawn, with consent of the Crown. Instead, the youth pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon, and received 12 months' probation.

According to an agreed statement of facts read into the record, the incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 8, 2020, at a residence in Eabametoong.

In the agreed to statement of facts, Wapoose and others had been drinking, the victim became increasingly aggressive toward others in the home, and was carrying a kitchen knife, prior to the altercation between the youth and Wapoose.