Richard Green

Canadian Private Richard Green was killed in Afghanistan on April 17, 2002 when two U.S. planes dropped an unauthorized laser-guided bomb on the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. The infantry was participating in a training exercise which involved firing anti-tank and machine-gun rounds.

On September 11, 2002, the U.S. pilots, Majors Harry Schmidt and William Umbach[?] were officially charged with 4 counts of negligent manslaughter, 8 counts of aggravated assault[?], and 1 count of dereliction of duty[?]. As of May 17, 2003, no decision had been made by U.S. Lt.-Gen Bruce Carlson[?] on whether the Schmidt and Umbach will be court martialed.

In February of 2003, Green’s mother, Doreen Coolen, filed a wrongful death claim against the U.S. government. Her claim argued the pilots acted recklessly when they dropped the 225-kilogram bomb.

However, lawyers representing Coolen were informed by the United States that (under the Foreign Claims Act[?] in the U.S.) Afghan legal codes would have to be applied in the case against the U.S. government.