By AP/KWMU
New Orleans, LA – A fighter pilot who mistakenly bombed
Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan last year, killing four, refuses to accept the Air Force's offer of lesser charges.
Now, Major Harry Schmidt, will face a court-martial. The 37-year-old grew up in suburban St. Louis and now lives in Sherman, Illinois.
It wasn't immediately clear what charges Schmidt will face in the military trial. The Air Force could prosecute him on
involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and dereliction of duty charges, with a possible prison term of 64 years if convicted.
Schmidt rejected the Air Force's offer that he could instead face an administrative hearing with possible punishments including a reprimand or forfeiture of one month's pay.
His lawyer said that the pilot believed he could not get a fair administrative hearing.