Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh

Toronto (CP24), Mar. 12, 2007 ~ Canadian Soldier Charged In Death Of Comrade In Afghanistan

It's an unusual charge in an unusual war. One Canadian soldier is accused of manslaughter in the death of another while both were on duty in Afghanistan.

The incident happened August 9th as Master Cpl. Jeffrey Scott Walsh (left) was in a Jeep on a relatively routine patrol near Kandahar. The allegations are that a gun belonging to another solider, Master Cpl. Robbie Fisher, somehow went off in the vehicle, and the single shot hit Walsh. He died from his injuries.

Fisher is based in Shilo with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment. He's facing one count of manslaughter and one count of negligent performance of duty. The charge in this incident immediately follows another suspicious death of a Canadian soldier last week. Cpl. Kevin Megeney, a reservist with the 1 Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highlanders, died when a bullet suddenly came through his tent in Kandahar last Tuesday.

Army officials have refused to say much about what happened, beyond acknowledging that there wasn't any enemy engagement at the time of his death. But Megeney's family insists they were told it was a 'friendly fire' incident. It's not clear if any charges will be laid in his case. The body of the 25-year-old was returned to Canada on Friday.