By AP/KWMU
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – An attorney for an Illinois fighter pilot who mistakenly bombed Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in 2002 says he's not surprised the pilot lost an appeal to the Air Force.
Earlier this month, Major Harry Schmidt was found guilty of dereliction of duty.
Lieutenant General Bruce Carlson, who handed down the verdict, said in a letter of reprimand that Schmidt "acted shamefully" in the April 2002, bombing, which left four Canadians dead.
Schmidt appealed the ruling, saying the reprimand was part of a public relations campaign, not an effort to see justice done.
Monday, the Air Force announced that Carlson rejected Schmidt's appeal and said it now goes to the commanding general of the Air Force combat command for a final decision.
Schmidt is from the central Illinois town of Sherman, near Springfield.