CF MP Gp NR – 2012-01 - January 12, 2012
OTTAWA – The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) yesterday laid additional charges in relation to the death of Corporal Joshua Baker and the injury of four other soldiers on a training range in Afghanistan in February of 2010. Major Christopher Lunney, who at the time was the Officer Commanding Stabilization Company A, a sub-unit of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar, is charged with the following:
- three counts of Negligent Performance of a Military Duty, contrary to section 124 of the National Defence Act;
- two counts of Breach of Duty, contrary to section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 80 of the Criminal Code.
It is alleged that range safety procedures were improperly applied in relation to the planning and execution of activities on the range that day.
In June of 2011, the CFNIS charged two of Major Lunney’s subordinates- Major (then Captain) Darryl Watts and Warrant Officer Paul Ravensdale, with six charges and five alternate charges each, the most serious of which was Manslaughter. Their cases are currently proceeding through the military justice system.
“The CFNIS conducted an exhaustive investigation into the events that occurred on the range that day in Afghanistan, and these charges reflect the seriousness with which the Canadian Forces regard weapons safety,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Delaney, Commanding Officer of the CFNIS.
The CFNIS is the unit within the Canadian Forces Military Police Group mandated to investigate serious and sensitive matters. Canadian Forces Military Police have jurisdiction over National Defence property, DND employees, and CF personnel serving in Canada and abroad.
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For more information about the CFNIS, please go to http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2824
For more information about the CFNIS Investigation Process, please go to http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2960
Media contact:
Captain Karina Holder
CF MP Group Public Affairs Officer
Tel: 613-949-1098
E-mail: Karina.Holder@forces.gc.ca
