Canadian soldier found guilty of drugging colleagues with cannabis cupcakes during live-fire exercise
A military judge has found a Canadian soldier guilty of drugging her comrades with cannabis cupcakes during a live-fire training exercise, calling her actions "shockingly unacceptable."
Bombardier Chelsea Cogswell was found guilty Wednesday on nine charges, including eight charges of administering a noxious substance and one charge of behaving in a disgraceful manner, in the first trial of its kind for the Canadian military.
Cogswell was operating a mobile canteen during Exercise Common Gunner, a major live-fire drill involving up to 150 personnel in July 2018 at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick.
During two videotaped statements, Cogswell told military police that she baked a dozen chocolate cupcakes for her fellow soldiers but denied adding any cannabis to them.
Five soldiers who provided urine samples tested positive for marijuana while the wrapper from one of the cupcakes also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
Several soldiers testified to a chaotic scene on the firing line as intoxication quickly took hold.
One gunner wandered aimlessly in front of a howitzer, staring at the trees and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Another soldier, who comrades described as typically health-conscious, sat eating Doritos and chain-smoking cigarettes. Others fell on the ground in laughter.
The court heard that a gunner tried to load an artillery round into a weapon while the shell’s protective end cap was still in place. Another testified that he improperly set a timing fuze, which controls how far down range an artillery shell will explode.
A soldier slipped and fell off an ammo box while trying to load her gun. Another testified to nearly crashing his military truck into another vehicle while his passenger testified to the cartoonish appearance of the scene around them.
'SIGNIFICANT HARM' AND 'POTENTIAL DEATH'
Prosecutor Maj. Max Reede argued that Cogswell’s actions recklessly introduced serious risk into an already risky training scenario, and violated the integrity of her colleagues, including a member who had been in recovery from substance use for several years.
Defence lawyer Ian Kasper argued the military police were negligent in their investigation and he denied the charges against Cogswell, who pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Military Judge Cmdr. Sandra Sukstorf agreed with the prosecution in her finding, saying Cogswell’s actions introduced "significant harm" and "potential death" into the exercise.
Cogswell, who did not testify at the hearing, told police she had a prescription for medical marijuana at the time of the incident. Recreational marijuana was still outlawed in July 2018, three months before the federal Cannabis Act legalized its use and possession.
Cogswell has served in the army’s regular forces since June 2011. She became a qualified artillery gunner in 2013 and was promoted to the rank of bombardier in 2015.
A hearing to decide her sentence will begin in New Brunswick on Nov. 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.