Manitoba soldier charged with manslaughter (Canada's WOT Mission - Afghanistan)

CanWest via National Post - Canada ^ | Monday, March 12, 2007 | Staff

[GMMAC]

Manitoba soldier charged with manslaughter

CanWest News Service
Monday, March 12, 2007

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service has charged a soldier stationed at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, in relation to the shooting death of Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh in Afghanistan on Aug. 9, 2006.

Master Cpl. Robbie Fraser of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regiment (PPCLI), was charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of negligent performance of duty.

[GMMAC]

As background:

Soldier killed in accident had just returned to Afghanistan
Master corporal believed in mission to rebuild country
~ Donald McArthur, The Windsor Star, Thursday, August 10, 2006

Military probes deadly mishap
~ Donald McArthur, CanWest News Service, Thursday, August 10, 2006

[GMMAC]

PING!

[fanfan]

Sidebar.
Apparently, one of our heroes was beaten up in a bar in Morrisburg last Friday, by 4 thugs that have been in trouble before.

I'm trying to find more info. on it, and will post when I get some.

[GMMAC]

Did a quick search & didn't find anything but, who knows if I missed some unlikely key word when it comes to local news, eh?

However I can tell you, as kid who grew up near Base Ortona back when it was Central Command for the Canadian Army, exceedingly harsh "Barracks justice" is definitely coming to the perps involved - if same hasn't already been delivered.

The victim could be the biggest, mouthiest jerk in his outfit but hard & fast Military tradition dictates that the attack was against his uniform whether or not he was wearing it at the time.

... & God help them if they took on an NCO - the bar itself will be gone.

[Clive]

Here is the Canadian Press/Sun Media version:

Cdn soldier charged in comrade's death

CFB SHILO, Man. (CP) - A Canadian soldier has been charged with manslaughter in the death of one of his comrades during a patrol in Afghanistan last August.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service charged Master Cpl. Robbie Fraser, based in Shilo with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment, with one count of manslaughter and one count of negligent performance of duty.

The charges under the National Defence Act come in relation to the shooting death of Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh during a routine patrol outside Kandahar last Aug. 9.

Walsh's father Ben, who lives in Regina, says he was told his son was seated beside the driver of a G-wagon when another soldier's gun discharged from inside the jeep, hitting his son with one fatal shot.

Officials at the base in Shilo confirmed the accused soldier is back at his home base but said it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter before it goes to trial.

Earlier this month, another Canadian soldier was killed by an apparent accidental discharge, this one inside his tent on the base in Kandahar.

[fanfan]

He's a master corporal.

NCO, right?

AND, he received the Medal of Military Valour, the third ranking medal behind the Victoria Cross, on February 20th, this year.

There better be justice.

Grrr.

[exg]

Do you have a name? If it was the other way around--one of our soldiers beating up a civilian, you bet the media would be all over it.

[fanfan]

Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald from Morrisburg, Ontario.

[exg]

MCpl_Collin_Ryan_Fitzgerald, receive the Medal of Military Valour.