Native peacekeeper unfit for trial

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A military panel ruled a peacekeeper from CFB Petawawa, a Canadian Native soldier accused of torturing and murdering a Somali teenager, is not fit to stand trial.

Psychiatrists testified Master Corporal Clayton Matchee suffered severe brain damage from a suicide attempt and would not understand the proceedings against him. Matchee, 28, was found hanging in his bunker after his March 1993 arrest in Somalia. The suicide attempt left him with spastic limbs, severe co-ordination problems, an inability to concentrate, limited short-term memory and slurred speech.

Matchee was one of six military men charged in connection with the beating

death of 16-year-old Shidane Abukar Arone. Pte. Elvin Kyle Brown was convicted of manslaughter and torture, dismissed from the military with disgrace and sentenced to five years in prison for his part in the beating. He plans an appeal.

Sgt. Mark Boland pleaded guilty to negligent performance of duty for failing to stop the fatal beating of Arone and received a 90-day sentence.

Sgt. Perry Gresty was found not guilty of two counts of negligent performance on duty. He admitted to falling asleep in the command post during the beating.

Maj. Anthony Seward will face court martial May 9 on charges of negligent performance of duty and causing bodily harm.

Pte. David Brocklebank, charged with torture and negligent performance on duty, will go to trial Oct. 11.

A statement of circumstances read into the record during Boland's trial detailed Matchee's involvement in the beating.

"Master Cpl. Matchee systematically beat Arone in the face, ribs and feet with the baton, a metal bar, his fists and his boots," read the statement.

Matchee will be re-evaluated every two years to determine if he is able to face trial. His lawyer said Matchee is the only one who could really tell what happened during the youth's beating.