Updated - Court points to army shortcomings as soldiers are acquitted of Gunner Psaila's death

Two soldiers have been found not guilty of the involuntary homicide of Gunner Matthew Psaila in a training exercise in Chadwick Lakes. Lt Christian Vella and Lance Bombardier Marvic Peregin were acquitted after a long trial. Gunner Psaila had drowned under a bridge in February 2009. COURT: INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED Magistrate Audrey Demicoli said there was no evidence that the accused had acted negligently. She said it was fundamental to understand that the accused were not the ones who had actually planned the exercise. They were only the persons charged to conduct the exercise by those who had planned such exercises for several years. The accued were only the supervising directing staff, tasked with ensuring that the exercise went according to plan. The accused had taken with them all the equipment made available to them by the AFM and they had no discretion or authority to request more equipment. Nor did they have any discretion or role with regard to the qualifications of the instructors or health and safety officers made at their disposal. INABILITY TO SWIM The court said it was also of the view that the incident could have been avoided had Gunner Psaila informed his...