Sex abuse trial for Arctic priest winds down in Iqaluit

IQALUIT, Nunavut – The trial of a former Roman Catholic priest charged with 68 counts of sex abuse against Inuit children more than 30 years ago is wrapping up in Nunavut.

The defence lawyer for Eric Dejaeger (deh-YAY’-guhr) has questioned the credibility of dozens of witnesses who told lurid and horrifying stories about the defrocked priest’s behaviour.

Malcolm Kempt says too many of the witnesses contradict each other and the memories of others are clouded by years of substance abuse.

He also suggests that many of the witnesses had a chance to get together and help each other remember, which taints their evidence.

Kempt says the witnesses may well be victims, but not of Dejaeger.

Crown prosecutor Doug Curliss argues that the stories told in an Iqaluit court share many details.

He says many of the witnesses only came forward after Dejaeger was sent back to Canada, because they felt it was no use laying complaints against someone who had fled to Belgium.

Dejaeger was in Igloolik from 1978 to 1982.

He was to face charges in 1995, but left Canada for his Belgian homeland. He was eventually returned when officials in Belgium realized he was living in the country illegally.

Justice Robert Kilpatrick has reserved his decision.