Seraphim
07-31-2003, 05:08 AM
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/2003/07/30/schmidt_court030730
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA. - A U.S. pilot who dropped a 225-kilogram bomb on Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan has had his court martial postponed until October.
Maj. Harry Schmidt's lawyer Charles Gittins said his client needs more time to decide whether to ask for a jury trial or have the judge hear it alone.
Schmidt, 38, will have to enter a plea at the next court session, set for Oct. 16.
He faces dereliction-of-duty charges that he "failed to comply with the applicable rules of engagement" and "willfully failed to exercise appropriate flight discipline over his aircraft."
Schmidt and fellow U.S. pilot William Umbach dropped a bomb on Canadian soldiers during night exercises in Afghanistan in April 2002. Four Canadians were killed and eight injured.
In a hearing earlier in the year, Schmidt said he dropped the bomb because he believed he was under attack from the Taliban.
He refused to accept punishment from a U.S. military non-judicial hearing, instead opting to by tried by court martial. If found guilty, he faces a more severe punishment by the court martial.
Written by CBC News Online staff
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA. - A U.S. pilot who dropped a 225-kilogram bomb on Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan has had his court martial postponed until October.
Maj. Harry Schmidt's lawyer Charles Gittins said his client needs more time to decide whether to ask for a jury trial or have the judge hear it alone.
Schmidt, 38, will have to enter a plea at the next court session, set for Oct. 16.
He faces dereliction-of-duty charges that he "failed to comply with the applicable rules of engagement" and "willfully failed to exercise appropriate flight discipline over his aircraft."
Schmidt and fellow U.S. pilot William Umbach dropped a bomb on Canadian soldiers during night exercises in Afghanistan in April 2002. Four Canadians were killed and eight injured.
In a hearing earlier in the year, Schmidt said he dropped the bomb because he believed he was under attack from the Taliban.
He refused to accept punishment from a U.S. military non-judicial hearing, instead opting to by tried by court martial. If found guilty, he faces a more severe punishment by the court martial.
Written by CBC News Online staff