Kovco death irresponsible and self-inflicted: jury

"The jury at the inquest into the death of Private Jake Kovco in Iraq two years ago has found the soldier died of an irresponsibly self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The six member jury has taken a day to reach its verdict. The jury was unable to say whether or not the soldier was aware of the possibility his pistol was ready to discharge.
The three men and three women of the jury heard more than seven weeks of evidence.
They were asked to consider six possible verdicts, ranging from the finding that Pte Kovco committed suicide to an open verdict.
Lawyers for three other soldiers, the Commonwealth and the counsel assisting the coroner all recommended the jury find Pte Kovco accidentally shot himself after forgetting that his gun was loaded.
At Glebe Coroners Court in Sydney, Private Kovco's mother Judy shook her head as the verdict was read out. Her lawyer had asked for an open verdict.
Outside the court, Judy Kovco said the jury had returned the wrong verdict, but refused to say any more to reporters. ..."

Read the full article from ABC News here.