WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- Two U.S. pilots who bombed and killed Canadian troops in Afghanistan will not face courts martial, according to broadcast reports.
Maj. Harry Schmidt and Maj. William Umbach were charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and dereliction of duty for the April 2002 incident near Kandahar. They faced up to 64 years in prison if convicted.
Four Canadians were killed and eight injured in a live-fire exercise.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, the 8th Air Force commander who reviewed the case, decided both pilots should receive non-judicial punishment but not face criminal prosecution, the CBC and CBS reported.
Dick Murtha, a lawyer who represents the family of one of the slain soldiers said he expects lawsuits by some family members if they feel justice has not been done.
