SYDNEY, N.S.– Commander Peter Lamont, Canadian Forces Military Judge, has sentenced Corporal Mathew Wilcox to a period of imprisonment of four years and dismissal from Her Majesty's service for the shooting death of Corporal Kevin Megeney. The judge also issued a five-year firearms prohibition order and authorized the taking of samples for DNA identification. The shooting incident occurred on March 6, 2007, in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Cpl Wilcox's application for release pending appeal was denied by the court. Cpl Wilcox will begin serving his sentence at the Canadian Forces detention facility in Edmonton but will be committed to a civilian penitentiary as soon as possible.
On October 25, 2007, the CFNIS charged Cpl Matthew Wilcox, a 2 nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton) soldier, with one count of Manslaughter, contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act , pursuant to Section 236(a) of the Criminal Code ; one count of Criminal Negligence Causing Death, contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act , pursuant to Section 220(a) of the Criminal Code; and one count of Negligent Performance of Duty, contrary to Section 124 of the National Defence Act .
Court proceedings began on Monday, November 24, 2008, at the Sydney Garrison, in Sydney, Nova Scotia. On July 30, 2009, Cpl Wilcox was found guilty of Criminal Negligence Causing Death and Negligent Performance of a Military Duty, with the charge of manslaughter having been stayed.
