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.