A4

The Canadian Press

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

SYDNEY, N.S. - Master Cpl. Matt Morse had just finished a 12-hour shift and was taking off his flak jacket inside the tent he shared with members of his platoon when he heard a jarring sound.

"We heard a pop and it sounded like a nine-millimetre (pistol)," Morse said in testimony Thursday at the court martial of Cpl. Matthew Wilcox. "We weren't too sure if anyone was hurt until I heard, 'Oh my God, where is your TCCC bag?'"

The voice Morse heard was that of Wilcox on the other side of a large plywood divider that separated the large army tent into two rooms.

Wilcox was looking for help and searching for the tactical combat casualty care bag - a sort of first-aid kit used in times of major injury.

Cpl. Kevin Megeney, 25, died in the shooting in Kandahar on March 6, 2007.

In testimony last week, the military trial was told that Wilcox and Megeney were playing a game of "quick draw" in their tent when Megeney was shot.

Wilcox, 23, of Glace Bay, N.S., is a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highlanders. He's charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death and negligent performance of duty in Megeney's death.

Morse, a member of the West Nova Scotia Regiment, was stationed outside the tent after the shooting to keep a close eye on Wilcox. He said he tried to comfort him by saying Megeney was still alive when he was rushed to hospital.

Morse said Wilcox was visibly upset, walking around aimlessly and crying.

"He was milling around. He was throwing rocks. He was very upset," he said. "He muttered, 'I can't believe that happened.' "