NR-10.132 - October 29, 2010
OTTAWA – Ex-Corporal Matthew Wilcoxwill face a new General Court Martial in relation to the shooting death of Corporal Kevin Megeney in Afghanistan in March 2007.
The proceedings in ex-Corporal Wilcox’s first court martial, which were held in Sydney, Nova Scotia, concluded on September 30, 2009. Following an appeal to the Court Martial Appeal Court (CMAC), the findings of guilt were set aside on October 18, 2010, and the CMAC directed that a new trial be held. The Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) subsequently reviewed the case and on October 29, 2010, decided to proceed with, and forwarded to the Court Martial Administrator (“preferred”), the following charges:
- 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 a Military Duty, contrary to Section 124 of the National Defence Act.
The charges are identical to the charges on which ex-Corporal Wilcox was originally tried. The first two charges are again laid in the alternative to each other.
The Court Martial Administrator will convene a General Court Martial, which is composed of a military judge and a panel of five members, at the first available date and at a location to be determined.
A backgrounder with more information regarding the preferral of these charges against Ex-Corporal Wilcox can be found here: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&id=3631
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