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Murder suspect gets day in court

Man in court for preliminary inquiry in murder trial.

PORT HARDY—The local courthouse opened for a special session this week to accommodate the preliminary inquiry on a charge of murder. Dakota Johnny faces the charge in relation to the September 2012 death of Cindy Scow, who was killed in Port Hardy. The Crown began laying out its evidence Monday, with the inquiry slated to run until Friday. The preliminary inquiry is the step immediately preceding trial in the Canadian court system wherein the Crown must satisfy a Judge that sufficient prima facie evidence exists to convict the accused at trial. If the judge is satisfied that the case is strong enough the case moves forward and a trial is scheduled. The inquiry was ongoing at the time the Gazette went to press and the findings will be reported in next week's edition.