Canadian army retiree on trial for actions on active service

(Frédéric Pepin/Radio-Canada)

RDBewsnow reports that:

A reservist who allegedly made a racial slur towards a civilian kitchen worker and struck his superior officer is facing a court martial today in Nova Scotia.

Retired Cpl. Garett Rollman is pleading not guilty to two charges of "conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline," and to the charge of striking a superior officer in February 2016, when he was still an active member, in Aldershot, N.S.

During opening statements, the defence asked for the case to be adjourned to give time to find Earl Smith, who the military defence lawyer said was the sergeant who Rollman allegedly struck.

The military prosecutor said Smith has left the military and he could not be located.

The trial proceeded regardless.  There is more robust reporting here and here.

I doubt there would have been a court-martial prosecution in the U. S. military for such an offense.  U.S. retired military personnel are subject to court-martial jurisdiction for offenses committed while on active duty.  But the practical and other administrative needs make it difficult to recall a retiree and proceed with such a case.  That said, there is currently one type of case where retirees are being considered for recall--military sexual assault.