Canada in Afghanistan -   

1

Military trial told not to accept self-defence claim

A A |  Email ThisEmail  | Print Facebook   

Date: Tuesday Jul. 28, 2009 10:28 AM ET

SYDNEY, N.S. — The prosecution argued today that a Canadian soldier accused of manslaughter in the shooting death of a comrade in Afghanistan was trained "not to take wild, unaimed shots."

Cpl. Matthew Wilcox has testified he feared for his life, thinking somebody was pointing a gun at his back in his tent when he pivoted and fired his pistol.

He has told the military court that an instant after he pulled the trigger he realized he shot his friend, Cpl. Kevin Megeney.

But in closing arguments today in Sydney, N.S., prosecutor Maj. Jason Samson urged the jury not to accept the self-defence argument.

He reminded them of testimony by experts that Wilcox was to assess before shooting, and he argued there was not "adequate reason to use lethal force."

Midway through his submission, Samson told the jury that Wilcox's testimony was "not credible and should be disbelieved."

Share with your social Network:

Facebook DIGG Newsvine Delicious Twitter StumbeUpon Reddit Yahoo! Buzz

 

Advertisement

Contest

Today's Top Stories

This photo of Rocco Luka Magnotta is posted on Interpol's Wanted Persons website.

French police hunting for body-parts suspect

More   1 Comments 1    7 Video(s) 7

quebec tuition protest classe

Talks between Quebec gov't, students collapse

More  4 Video(s) 4