Murder charge in 2020 Eabametoong First Nation death withdrawn

A charge of second-degree murder against a youth, stemming from an incident in EabametoongFirst Nation last year, has been withdrawn.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However, during a court proceeding on March 15, those charges were withdrawn, with consent of the Crown.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.