The Judge said the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
Frederick, Md (KM) “Disappointed” is the reaction from the Kristen Renee Foundation following a decision by a US District Court Judge on Thursday dismissing its 750-million-dollar wrongful death lawsuit against Fort Detrick. Judge Catherine Blake said the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
“We are completely heart-broken and feel for the 1800 cancer victims and the 2800 families who have buried loved ones,” said Randy White, the founder of the Kristen Renee Foundation and former Frederick resident, in a statement. “This is a huge crush to the KRF team and the citizens of Frederick.”
The suit was filed in August, 2015, against Fort Detrick by people who believed their loved ones were affected by the Army’s disposal of hazardous waste at Area B, which is located near Shookstown Road, Rocky Springs Road and Kemp Lane. The plaintiffs contend that many of their family members and other relatives contracted cancer, and, in a majority of cases, died from the disease.
The Kristin Renee Foundation issued this statement following the judge’s decision: “We do not feel the judge appreciated the importance of certain directives in evidence in the case. We cannot sit back and accept without review by appellant court. There are too many victims, too many people who have died and too many still out here who are sick to allow the Defense Department to avoid stepping up to the plate. We are not getting our day in court, and we deserve our day in court. The victims deserve their day in court.”
As for the future, the organization says: “We are considering our options. We may either ask the judge to reconsider, or we will go to appeal.”