Iraq soldier homicide probe

The first Australian military death in Iraq has been totally bungled by the government and military.
The death of Private Kovko has set off an alarming series of events.

The latest is the announcement of a homicide investigation into his death.

THE NSW homicide squad has been called in to investigate the death of Private Jacob Kovco as the mystery surrounding Australia's first military fatality in Iraq deepens.

Private Kovco's body - at first misplaced to the anguish of the Kovco family and the great embarrassment of the Government and the military - was to arrive at 6.30am today in Sydney, where his grieving widow, Shelley, and family were waiting.

The latest military explanation: Private Kovco was typing on his laptop computer when it slipped off his lap, landing on the pistol and causing it to fire.

"He died in Iraq. He died as part of a military mission for which the Government and me - I in particular - accept full responsibility." Prime Minister Howard, lest he forgets!

UPDATE:

In a revelation contradicting information released by the military and the Government, soldiers in Iraq claim Kovco was alone when he was shot.

The Defence Department and the Howard Government initially said Pte Kovco was in a room with two other soldiers at the time of his death.

A source close to the troops said: "His two mates were in the next room and found him after the shot went off."

The NSW Police State Crime Command has been ordered to conduct an investigation and the body be passed to the State Coroner John Abernethy when it arrives in Sydney today.

The coroner said: "The NSW coroner expects to assume jurisdiction in relation to any inquiry into his identity . . . and manner and cause of death."

Defence chiefs have been accused of pre-empting the inquiry by labelling the death a "tragic accident".

MORE:
Doubts about the circumstances of Private Kovco's death continued to be aired yesterday when the former head of Australia's military, General Peter Cosgrove, was asked on radio whether, in his 40 years of military service, he had seen a pistol such as Private Kovco's self-detonate. He replied: "Weapons tend not to self-detonate."