OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/21/13 -- Commander Peter Lamont, Military Judge, has sentenced Major Darryl Watts to a reduction in rank to Lieutenant and a severe reprimand, in relation to a training incident that occurred on a weapons range in Afghanistan, in February 2010.

On December 4, 2012, a General Court Martial found Major Watts guilty of three charges:

--  guilty of one count of unlawfully causing bodily harm under section 130
    of the National Defence Act contrary to section 269 of the Criminal Code
    of Canada; and

--  guilty of two counts of negligent performance of a military duty under
    section 124 of the National Defence Act;

The training incident resulted in the death of Corporal Joshua Baker and in bodily harm to four other soldiers. At the time of the incident, Major Watts held the rank of Captain and was the platoon commander responsible for overseeing the platoon's training activities. It was alleged that range safety procedures were violated in relation to the planning and execution of activities on the range that day.

In relation to the same incident, Warrant Officer (retired) Paul Ravensdale was also charged. On February 14, 2013, a General Court Martial found him guilty of four of the six charges he faced. His sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin on March 4, 2013, in Shilo, Manitoba.