A decorated Canadian Forces officer was hailed by a military prosecutor for his "integrity and honour" Thursday even as he pleaded guilty to negligent performance of duty.
Maj. Christopher Lunney, 42, had to pause to compose himself several times as he told a court martial of his shock and remorse over the friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan that took the life of Cpl. Josh Baker and wounded four others.
"I can offer no words of regret or apology that will address their loss," a tearful Lunney said of the Baker family.
Lunney's was the first of three courts martial resulting from the February 2010 training incident at a range northeast of Kandahar, when an explosive Claymore mine packed with 700 steel balls raked a Canadian Forces platoon.
The agreed statement of facts entered with his guilty plea may hint at the defence that will be mounted when two other soldiers under Lunney's command are tried on charges of manslaughter in relation to Cpl. Baker's death.
