Charlottetown court martial wraps up, some charges dropped

Testimony wrapped up Tuesday in court martial proceedings in Charlottetown against army reserve Capt. Todd Bannister.

Bannister, who has been suspended as commanding officer of the Charlottetown cadet corps, is accused of making inappropriate sexual remarks to female army cadets. He has pleaded not guilty.

Two of six charges were withdrawn Tuesday after the prosecutor told court there's no reasonable chance of conviction on the charges. They related to an incident in which cadets posed at Charlottetown armouries in their prom dresses.

The charges were dropped because of new information that came to light last week. Prosecutor Major M. E. Leblond did not say what that information was.

Bannister still faces charges in connection with allegations that he asked a female cadet for sex on two occasions

The prosecution and defence made closing arguments and the decision is now in the hands of the judge. 

If he's convicted Todd Bannister could face jail time, he could be released from the military, or he could receive "less punishment."

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