Nunavut man defends self in Yellowknife sex assault trial
Noel Avadluk, 41, of Kugluktuk is representing himself in his trial
The prosecution has finished presenting its evidence in Yellowknife against a Kugluktuk, Nunavut, man accused of sexual assault.
The jury of five men and seven women has heard from seven witnesses so far this week. The only witness remaining is the accused, Noel Avadluk.
Avadluk will give his account of what happened Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, the 41-year-old estimated it will take five minutes or less. He does not have a lawyer and is representing himself.
Avadluk is accused of the violent rape of a woman in her Yellowknife apartment almost two and a half years ago. The woman said it happened after a friend, Richard Epelon, brought Avadluk to her apartment.
She said they drank for a few hours, then Epelon decided to leave. On Wednesday, however, Epelon said the three went to the apartment together. He said the woman was drunk and became angry.
Epelon said the woman started yelling at him to go and he left after only about a half-hour.
On cross-examination, Epelon confirmed he is Avadluk's first cousin. He said his memory of the event is clouded because he was also intoxicated.
After Avadluk testifies Thursday the prosecutor will get a chance to question him about what happened that night and about past criminal convictions.
Both sides will get a chance to make closing statements then it will be up to the jury to decide his fate.