Afghanistan: Canadians in Action

[milnews.ca]

Deliberations begin in Semrau court martial

What is the man's defence? A mercy killing of someone who was "98%" dead already?

A little bit of catching up: he was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of dishonourable conduct - this from the Canadian Forces:

In summary, the military panel reached the following verdict:

Not guilty: Charge of Second-degree murder, contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code;

Not guilty: Charge of Attempting to commit murder with a firearm (alternative to the Charge of Second Degree Murder) - contrary to Section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to Section 239(1)(a.1) of the Criminal Code;

Guilty: Charge of Behaving in a disgraceful manner – contrary to Section 93 of the National Defence Act; and

Not guilty: Charge of Negligent performance of a military duty - contrary to Section 124 of the National Defence Act.

The sentence will be determined at a later date.

Reader's Digest of defence, from the Toronto Star:

Shaky recall, sloppy investigators and conflicting accounts of what happened on an Afghan battlefield almost two years ago mean an army captain should not be convicted of killing a wounded, unarmed Taliban fighter, the officer’s defence team argued Wednesday ....

So far in the sentencing hearing, the then-TF Commander (saying his view represents that of the chain of command) is calling for Semrau to be kicked out, while a subordinate says he was a good officer. On the plus side, from one of the media accounts:

.... His commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Kevin Cameron of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont., said he would have no reservations about accepting Semrau back into his unit ....

Max punishment under S.93 NDA: "imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment".

[JMA]

A little bit of catching up: he was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of dishonourable conduct - this from the Canadian Forces:


Reader's Digest of defence, from the Toronto Star:


So far in the sentencing hearing, the then-TF Commander (saying his view represents that of the chain of command) is calling for Semrau to be kicked out, while a subordinate says he was a good officer. On the plus side, from one of the media accounts:


Max punishment under S.93 NDA: "imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment".

Sentencing delayed until 21 September. Link

[JMA]

Capt. Robert Semrau dismissed from the Forces

A Canadian soldier has been kicked out of the army—but spared a stint in prison—for shooting a severely wounded insurgent on the battlefields of Afghanistan two years ago. Capt. Robert Semrau, whose controversial case sparked a nationwide debate about the ethics of mercy killing in a war zone, stood at the front of a packed courtroom Tuesday morning as a military judge announced his punishment: a demotion in rank, and dismissal from the Forces.

Been there, faced that situation (on a number of occasions), the bottom line is you can't play God yourself nor allow your soldiers to do so. He should count himself lucky.