Military trial of Canadian soldier in killing of Afghan insurgent begins in January
Posted at Canwest News Service
Published December 21, 2009
OTTAWA — The trial of a Canadian soldier accused in the shooting death of a wounded insurgent in Afghanistan last year will begin in January.
Court martial proceedings against Capt. Robert Semrau will begin on Jan. 25, 2010 in Gatineau, Que., according to a news release Monday from the Department of National Defence.
Capt. Semrau faces charges of second-degree murder, attempt to commit murder, behaving in a disgraceful manner, and negligently performing a military duty.
It’s alleged Capt. Semrau fired two shots into a “severely wounded” unarmed Taliban insurgent on Oct. 19, 2008, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Court heard Capt. Semrau was commanding an operational mentor and liaison team with Afghan soldiers on a 26-kilometre sweep when they were ambushed.
After U.S. Apache attack helicopters were called in and the assault was defeated, Afghan soldiers found a dead Taliban fighter beside another who was severely wounded.
Capt. Semrau is serving with the 3rd Battalion at CFB Petawawa, according to the Canadian Forces. His court martial trial will be heard by military judge Col. Mario Dutil and a panel of five military members.
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Michael Waddington is a court martial lawyer – court martial attorney that defends military personnel worldwide as well as deployed civilian contractors subject to the UCMJ. He defends Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and civilian contractor court martial cases. He has successfully defended military personnel as a court martial lawyer Army Navy Marine & Air Force court martials in Germany, England, San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait, Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Yokota, and throughout the United States.
