NSSW: Kovco's roommate denies a pistol was ever pointed at him

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
NSSW: Kovco's roommate denies a pistol was ever pointed at him

A Baghdad roommate of Private JAKE KOVCO .. who told a military inquiry a soldier jokingly
pointed a pistol at him .. now says he can't remember any such incident.

Lance Corporal RAY JOHNSON was in the closed barracks room in Iraq where Private KOVCO
was fatally shot in the head with his own pistol on April 21 2006.

He was giving evidence today at Glebe Coroner's Court in Sydney .. where he was asked
about information he gave to a military investigator soon after the shooting.

Corporal JOHNSON confirmed he'd told investigators he'd seen .. at least once .. a
soldier mockingly pointing a pistol at another soldier and pulling the trigger of the
unloaded weapon.

However under cross-examination today by BRUCE LEVETT .. counsel for Private KOVCO'S
mother JUDY .. Corporal JOHNSON said he could not recall the incident.

He denied he was covering up the incident out of loyalty to fellow soldiers.

Corporal JOHNSON and Lance Corporal ROB SHORE were both in the closed room where Private
KOVCO was shot.

Both men say they did not see the fatal incident and nobody else entered the room before
the gun was fired.

A military board of inquiry found Private KOVCO accidentally shot himself while skylarking
with his pistol.

Corporal JOHNSON told the inquest today that was what he believed had happened.

Corporal SHORE is due to give evidence this afternoon at the inquest before Coroner MARY JERRAM.

AAP RTV pc/sg/wjf/bart

KEYWORD: KOVCO (SYDNEY)

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