OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 09/14/12 -- Commander Peter Lamont, a Canadian Forces military judge, has sentenced Major Christopher Lunney to a reduction in rank to Captain and a severe reprimand in relation to the death of Corporal Joshua Baker and the injury of four other soldiers.

The incident occurred on a training range in Afghanistan in February 2010. At the time, Maj. Lunney was the Officer Commanding Stabilization Company A, a sub-unit of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar.

General court martial proceedings against Maj. Lunney began on September 13, 2012, in Gatineau, Quebec. At the court martial, Maj. Lunney pleaded guilty to negligent performance of a military duty. Two other charges of negligent performance of a military duty and two charges of breach of duty with respect to explosives were withdrawn.

In June 2011, the Canadian Forces National Investigative Service charged two of Major Lunney's subordinates, Major (then Captain) Darryl Watts and Warrant Officer (retired) Paul Ravensdale, in relation to the same incident. In February 2012, the Director of Military Prosecutions preferred charges against each member; however, their courts martial have not yet been convened.