Nunavut man receives maximum sentence for killing Emerald MacDonald

The man who killed Emerald MacDonald of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, has been sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years.

Justice Vital Ouellette found Scott Hala, 25, guilty of first-degree murder after a three-day trial in Kugluktuk this week. 

Emerald MacDonald's body was found at a cabin outside the hamlet on on May 3, 2021, according to Nunavut RCMP.

Police didn't arrest Hala until nearly six months later, in October 2021. 

Hala also pleaded guilty to attempted murder and sexual assault of another woman who was there that night. That woman's name is protected under a court-ordered publication ban. 

He was sentenced to 19 years for the attempted murder and six years for the sexual assault, which he will serve concurrently with his first-degree murder sentence. 

First-degree murder comes with an automatic sentence of life without parole for 25 years. 

The trial heard that MacDonald, 24, died of a gunshot wound to the head. The other woman was also shot, but survived with severe injuries. 

MacDonald became well-known for her role in The Grizzlies, a 2018 film about a lacrosse team in Kugluktuk. 

'I remember how strong I really am'

Six victim impact statements were read out in Kugluktuk's community hall on Friday. 

Melissa MacDonald, Emerald's sister, recounted receiving her sister's ashes months after she had died. 

"I held a box in my hands," she said through tears. 

Melissa also noted that the building where the trial was held was a place where Emerald, like many others in the community, celebrated and danced. 

"In this building is where she jigged, she square-danced … she throat sang, she spoke at my wedding," she said. 

"This is the building where she'll get her justice."

A community justice worker read a statement from the woman who survived the night Emerald died.

"Scott Hala, you're an evil monster," she wrote. "You deserve no mercy and may no mercy ever come to you in this life or the next."

Ouellette asked Hala if he wanted to say anything before he was sentenced. Offenders aren't required to speak during sentencing.

Hala said he did not. 

The woman said she had "dark thoughts" about Hala and thoughts about violence after her friend's murder, but she never hurt anyone. 

"Not only did he try to kill me, but he killed my best friend," she said. "I lost everything when she died."

The woman said after the event, she was homeless for several months and wasn't able to care for her child. 

She said she eventually got help, and now has a job she's proud of. 

"I remember how strong I really am. I put my life back together in many ways," she said. 

Wynter Kuliktana read out a community impact statement from the mayor, as well as former and current MLAs. 

Kuliktana described the community in Kugluktuk as "strong and resilient."

"In Kugluktuk, we are not strangers. We're neighbours, friends and family. Together, our stories shape our understanding of who we are, where we come from and where we're headed."

Kuliktana also talked about the fear in the community in 2021 as six months went by with no arrest in Emerald's death. 

"Uncertainty consumed our community and a shadow of fear lingered," she said. "Our community, women especially, found ourselves living in a constant state of apprehension." 

She said the community felt like they were in "a hostage situation."

"Red shirts and dresses hung from our homes, calling for the perpetrator to come forward," she said.