A preliminary inquiry for accused murderer Levi Cayen began in a Yellowknife courtroom last week.

Cayen, 20, faces charges of first-degree murder and robbery in connection with the death of 25-year-old Alexander Norwegian.

Norwegian's body was found inside a vehicle on the access road to Sandy Creek on the Hay River Reserve on Dec. 28, 2017.

Preliminary hearings are used to measure the strength of the Crown's case before going to trial. A ban prevents the publication of evidence presented during the hearing.

Levi Cayen, along with three other Hay River residents SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½“ Tyler Cayen, 32, Sasha Cayen, 25, and James Thomas, 26 SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½“ were charged in the months that followed Norwegian's death.

In May, both Sasha Cayen and Tyler Cayen's charges were downgraded. Subsequently, the pair reached plea deals with prosecutors, with Sasha pleading guilty to manslaughter and Tyler pleading guilty to being an accessory to manslaughter.

James Thomas is also charged with first-degree murder and robbery. Thomas has also opted for a preliminary hearing.

Five witnesses, including officers and a medical examiner, were expected to testify at the hearing.

Prosecutors expect the hearing to wrap up tomorrow.

Sasha Cayen is due to be sentenced on Jan. 18, 2019.