North Dakota prosecutors said Tuesday they plan to pursue state misdemeanor charges against three former Northwest Airlines pilots convicted on federal felony charges of flying while intoxicated.
State's Attorney Bob Hoy said as far as he's concerned, jury selection is still on for Monday. But he was quick to point out the case could be delayed or settled without a trial in the next few days.Attorney Bruce Hanley, who represents convicted crewman Joseph Balzer, said he was planning to talk to Hoy in hopes of reaching a resolution without a trial. Hanley said neither he nor Balzer wants further publicity and thinks Hoy should simply drop the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Balzer, 34, Antioch, Tenn., was the flight engineer on a March 8 Northwest flight from Fargo to Minneapolis. He, pilot Norman Prouse, 51, Conyers, Ga., and co-pilot Robert Kirchner, 36, Highland Ranch, Colo., were found guilty on federal charges Monday in Minneapolis.
The three were found to have been under the influence during the flight the morning after they had spent a night of drinking in a Moorhead, Minn., bar. They face a maximum of 15 years in prison but likely will be sentenced to a shorter term. No date has been set for sentencing on those convictions.
Each pilot is charged by the state with flying while intoxicated and flying within eight hours of drinking alcohol. Each count is punishable upon conviction by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.