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It was on Sunday May 23rd 1999 when the Over The Edge
pay-per-view was transmitting live to thousands of homes across
the nation and a packed house of 18,000 fans watching inside the
arena. In one of the worst accidents in the history of
professional wrestling, Owen Hart fell to his death from the
rafters of the Kemper Arena prior to his match against The
Godfather. That night, Owen Hart was scheduled to win the
Intercontinental title. Owen's death put the WWF/Hart family
relationship to its limits, resulting in a multimillion dollar
lawsuit against the WWF.
OWEN HART FALLS TO DEATH DURING OVER THE EDGE
PAY-PER-VIEW
- 18,000 witnesses in the Kemper Arena....what exactly
happened is still not known and we may never know. The WWF's
'super hero' is now looking down on all of us, checking if
we're 'saying our prayers, eating our vitamins, and drinking
our milk'. "This is not a wrestling angle, this was not
planned, this is real life," claimed Jim Ross from the
announce table. Owen Hart fell to his death from the rafters
of the Kemper Arena right before his match at the Over The
Edge pay-per-view. Hart was scheduled to repel down for a
spectacular entrance however something terribly wrong
occurred which led Owen to fall from the secure rope from an
estimated height of 70 feet. TV viewers did not see the
accident as a promo video was being aired at the time. Owen
Hart, 33, is survived by his wife Martha, and his 2 small
kids. He also left behind brothers and sisters, his parents,
and a lot of close friends, who were his family while on the
road with the Federation.
(Story originally published on May 23rd, 1999)
SHOW GOES ON DESPITE ACCIDENT
- While Owen Hart was on the way to the hospital, the rest
of the WWF crew continued on with the pay-per-view. Emotions
were running high backstage as well as in the ring. During a
backstage interview, Debra couldn't hold her tears and Jeff
Jarrett picked up where she left, however he was unable to
finish the interview himself. During The Rock / HHH match,
The Rock was taunting his opponent, he grabbed the mic and
said, "Owen, the Rock loves you." The two announcers Jerry
Lawler and Jim Ross tried their best to continue on as if
nothing happened, but obviously you could've heard the
difference in their enthusiasm on the microphone. Even
'Stone Cold' Steve Austin didn't look so stone cold at all
in the main event.
(Story originally published on May 23rd, 1999)
MCMAHON GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER PPV
- A very emotional Vince McMahon gave a press conference
right after the pay-per-view ended but only made a statement
and refrained from answering any questions from those in
attendance. McMahon said that it was not known if the cable
that was holding Owen just gave away or Owen released
himself accidentally. McMahon said that hopefully more
answers will be given during the RAW Is WAR show from St
Louis. "We in the World Wrestling Federation are saddened by
the tragic accident that occurred here tonight. We send our
condolences and sympathy to Owen Hart's family; his wife,
Martha; and their two very young children. We don't have any
answer as to why this happened....There is an ongoing
investigation", said the WWF owner.
(Story originally published on May 23rd, 1999)
FANS COMMENT ABOUT OWEN'S ACCIDENT
- Staff from the Kansas City Star newspaper were covering
the event at the arena when the incident happened and acted
quickly to get reaction from the fans who where at the show.
"We thought it was a doll at first," said 15-year-old Robert
McCome. "We thought they were just playing with us. We were
really shocked when we found out that it was no joke." Shawn
Gaitan, 24, who brought his 7-year-old nephew to the event,
said: "I think it's really messed up that they kept on with
the show. They could at least told us what was going on. We
worry just like the other people worry." Gaitan said he saw
Owen flying through the air; his head hit a turnbuckle and
snapped back.
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
PARAMEDICS GIVE CPR AS LAST HOPE
- Paramedics who rushed to ringside to help Owen after the
fall gave the former Intercontinental champion CPR, hoping
that it would somehow save his life. "We gave him CPR in the
ring. He was a trauma code," said Michelle Hindorff, a
paramedic and one of the first responders in the ring. The
efforts by everyone in the ring however were not enough to
save Owen's life who dropped from an estimated 70 feet up.
Owen suffered a severe head trauma from hitting his head on
the turnbuckle, and suffered a broken neck from the impact,
which is most likely the cause of his death.
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
NEWS OUTLETS PICK OWEN'S STORY
- Several news outlets across the nation picked up the story
of Owen Hart's death at the Over The Edge pay-per-view. Kris
Alvarenga, from Los Angeles, CA., said that the news was all
over their TV channels. "Channel 4, our NBC station, showed
three pictures of Owen; picture one was of the ring, and
about 7 paramedics inside. You can see Owen's head, his eyes
closed, and what appeared to be a bloody nose, as he was
strapped to the board, Jerry Lawler has his back to the
camera, and one paramedic seemed to be working on top of
Owen". He continued, "Picture two was of Owen being removed
out of the ring. You cannot see his head, however you can
see his torso. This was the most saddest of the three photos
for me personally because you clearly saw his left arm and
it was hanging limp as the board was sliding under the
bottom rope...and picture three was a shot of two referees,
one bending down attending to something, the other ref with
his arms on top of his head in disbelief."
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
STU AND HELEN HART DEVASTATED OVER THE LOSS OF THEIR SON
- The death of the youngest son of the Hart family was a
major blow to parents Stu and Helen. "I can't believe my
Owen is gone," said Helen Hart while talking to the Calgary
Sun. "I used to have nightmares about one of my sons getting
crippled from wrestling, but not this. I can't believe it.
He was my little baby, so clever and fun," she continued.
"He was the light of our lives." Stu Hart also had some
comments to do. "He was a great son," said his dad. "I have
eight boys and they're all great, but Owen was just a
wonderful fellow. Anything he wanted, he went out and got.
To me, he had to be the favorite among all his brothers and
sisters. They all loved him dearly. As a wrestler, he loved
to work hard to please the promoters and the crowds. He took
pride in showing his reliability in making wrestling a
career." He added, "He spent his time in the WWF being quite
serious about his career." Commenting on the stunt he had to
perform yesterday, he said "I know they've done it before,
but Owen was a pretty careful athlete. He doesn't take
unnecessary risks or chances," said Stu. "You know all my
kids wrestled, but it was something Owen loved from the
start," said Stu. "I remember seeing him as a teen put on
unequaled bouts beating men who weighed over 200 lbs. He
wanted to follow the footsteps of me and his brothers. He
wanted to be the best he could. I know he achieved what he
wanted. But even more than what he did in the ring, you knew
what Owen was about by the fact he had no real enemies. He
was everyone's friend and a good family man. I couldn't be
more proud of a son."
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
CNN COVERS WRESTLING TRAGEDY
- CNN.COM as well as CNN Television covered the tragedy that
happened yesterday in Kansas City where Owen Hart fell to
his death in front of 18,000 fans at the Kemper Arena during
the Over The Edge pay-per-view. WWF President Vince McMahon
- eyes filling with tears - told CNN that Owen's untimely
death "had provoked grief among the team." It is still
unclear what happened as some say that the cable snapped
while others said it appeared Hart was somehow disconnected
from it. Owen's head snapped backward when he hit a
turnbuckle and was given CPR inside the ring. The wrestler
was pronounced dead at a hospital.
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
CHRIS JERICHO POSTS COMMENTS ABOUT OWEN
- WCW wrestler 'Lionheart' Chris Jericho - a friend of the
Harts - has posted an official statement on his website
regarding the death of Owen. "I'm not going to get into the
details of this accident as I really don't care to know
them, all I know is that a friend is gone. Never mind the
fact that Owen was a great guy. Never mind the fact that
Owen was one of the greatest wrestlers the world has ever
seen. Never mind the fact that he was one of the reasons I
wanted to become a wrestler. Never mind that I went to the
Hart Bros Pro Wrestling camp, in hopes of meeting and
training with him. All that matters is that Owen Hart is
gone, never to entertain or make us smile again. This was a
terrible senseless accident and it puts everything into
perspective. Contract disputes, minor injuries, lack of a
push, don't mean squat when you compare them to a family who
will never see their father again. God bless you Owen Hart.
I know I will always respect and never forget you."
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
WCW CHAMPION KEVIN NASH TALKS ABOUT OWEN
- Current WCW Champion Kevin Nash also had some words about
Sunday's tragedy. "My deepest condolences to Owen's wife
Martha, his children and the entire Hart family. I know, if
you talk to every wrestler in the business, no one would
have anything but praise for the type of person Owen was.
Owen was a friend. I spent almost 4 years with Owen in the
WWF. No matter how long the road trips were, it seems as
though, right when everyone was about to crack, Owen would
pull a rib or some type of practical joke. And then we'd all
regain our sanity. Wrestling aside, Owen probably was one of
the best human beings I have ever met. I know his family
meant everything to him. I can only imagine the grief they
are going through right now."
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
WCW TRIBUTE TO OWEN HART
- Despite wrestling for the competition, World Championship
Wrestling held a tribute to Owen Hart both on their WCW.COM
website and as well on Monday Nitro. "We are shocked and
saddened by this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers
are with Bret Hart and the entire Hart family," read the
statement on WCW.COM. During Nitro, a 3 ring bell salute was
done before the show started, and some wrestlers even put a
black armband to show respect.
(Story originally published on May 24th, 1999)
RAW IS OWEN
- RAW Is WAR was transformed in a tribute to the late Owen
Hart yesterday as wrestlers and officials wore black bands
which read either "Owen Hart" or "OH" throughout the show. A
10 bell salute kicked off the show with the whole roster on
top of the RAW ramp. Wrestlers were told that they don't
need to wrestle if they don't feel like it. Taped segments
from various WWE Superstars and officials highlighted the
show as each of them spoke candidly about Owen Hart. The
show finished with Stone Cold Steve Austin popping a beer as
Owen's tribute image displayed on the Titan Tron in the
background.
(Story originally published on May 25th, 1999)
HART FAMILY ON THE TODAY SHOW
- Bret Hart, his mother Helen and Owen's wife Martha were
all on the morning edition of the Today Show on NBC this
morning. While Bret did most of the talking, his mom and
Martha spent the whole time pretty much crying. Bret said
that Owen hated the Blue Blazer gimmick and feels that the
stunt they did on the PPV was a way to "get their ratings
up." Owen's wife Martha revealed how Owen told her that he
didn't want to do the stunt and she didn't want him to be in
that position either.
(Story originally published on May 25th, 1999)
FUNERAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED
- A private family service will be held at McInnis &
Holloway's "Park Memorial Chapel" on Monday, May 31st at
11:00AM. Everyone is welcome to gather around the Funeral
Home to pay tribute to Owen Hart, but services inside the
Chapel are private.
(Story originally published on May 25th, 1999)
HUGE RATINGS FOR RAW
- RAW Is WAR had monster ratings for the Owen Hart tribute
show on Monday. The first hour did a 7.2 while the second
did a 7.1 for a composite rating of 7.15. Nitro's first hour
got a 4.4, the second hour a 3.6 and the third hour a 3.4
for a composite of 3.5.
(Story originally published on May 26th, 1999)
DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF OWEN REQUESTED TO BE SENT TO
HOSPITAL
- The family of Owen Hart decided that any donation in
the memory of him should be sent to the Alberta Children's
Hospital. The Calgary Sun is reporting that tons of people
called for more information. "I've gotten calls from
Petersburg, Florida and Quebec," said Alberta Children's
Hospital Foundation administrator Gail Slater. "This could
go on for weeks and months, even." An announcement on the
WWE website as well as on RAW encouraged fans to send their
donations to the city's hospital. The Hart-hospital
relationship dates back to 1996 when Matthew Annis, the
13-year-old grandson of legend Stu Hart, succumbed to the
so-called flesh eating disease. Owen's wife, Martha said,
"Owen was always supportive of the children's hospital -
it's something we can never afford to lose."
(Story originally published on May 26th, 1999)
BULLDOG VOWS COMEBACK
- Owen's former tag team partner and brother-in-law Davey
Boy Smith the British Bulldog said that he will make a
comeback to the squared circle in memory of Owen. The
Bulldog revealed that recently he was asked by Owen to get
back to the ring and revive their tag team. "He wanted me to
go back, so I'll try my hardest to fulfil his wish," said
Smith, who is still recovering from a serious injury
suffered during a bungled trap door stunt in a WCW ring last
September. "He was like a brother to me - we stayed in the
same rooms, we drove, flew and ate together," he told the
Calgary Sun. "I was tagged-teamed with Owen longer than
anyone within the federation."
(Story originally published on May 26th, 1999)
COSTUME TO BLAME IN OWEN'S DEATH?
- New reports are suggesting that Owen's fall from the top
of the Kemper Arena might have been caused by his feathered
costume catching on his release cord, authorities said.
Police spokesman Floyd Mitchell said that at this point in
time it is believed that his quick release was activated
either by being tangled in his costume or by Owen pulling it
by mistake. His harness was attached to the rope with a
metal ring. He had a release mechanism similar to a
parachute release. Hart was supposed to pull on it when he
was just above the mat and drop into the ring.
(Story originally published on May 27th, 1999)
AUTOPSY RESULTS
- Results from the autopsy on Owen Hart indicate that a
chest trauma was the cause of death. Owen fell from 70 feet
above head first and landed on his chest on one of the
turnbuckles and then bounced inside the ring. Although he
didn't die on impact, he passed away while he was en-route
to a local hospital.
(Story originally published on May 27th, 1999)
SUPERSTARS, FANS SAY GOODBYE TO OWEN HART
- Thousands of fans and many wrestlers from WWF and WCW said
their final goodbyes to Owen Hart this morning in Calgary.
Three huge buses with signs "Owen You Will Always Be In Our
Hearts" carried former wrestling partners of Hart. Nine
police officers on motorcycles escorted the Hart family who
arrived in several cars. Hollywood Hogan arrived in a white
limousine. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and his wife Colleen
were invited to the funeral. Also invited was country music
singer Colin Raye. The pallbearers were the brothers of
Owen, Keith, Ross, Wayne, Bruce, Smith and Bret. Although
there were thousands of fans for the ceremony, the
open-casket service was invitation-only because the chapel
seats 300 people only. Not a lot WCW superstars attended,
due to no permission from the federation. Vince McMahon paid
all the flight tickets to his employees to fly to Canada for
the funeral.
(Story originally published on May 31st 1999)
HOGAN COMMENTS AT OWEN'S FUNERAL
- Former heavyweight champion Hollywood Hogan this morning
attended the Owen Hart funeral along with several other
wrestlers in Calgary. "Hopefully something good will happen,
wrestling's gotten way too over the top", commented Hogan.
"Ted Turner won't let us do all the crotch grabbing stuff",
he continued. In regards to Vince McMahon, he said "I hope
he learns a lesson from this horrible accident, he has a
good heart - I hope he follows his heart."
(Story originally published on May 31st 1999)
MCMAHON REFRAINS FROM COMMENTING AT FUNERAL
- Yesterday morning tons of wrestling fans, along with
wrestling superstars joined the Hart family and friends in
saluting Owen Hart for the last time, in Calgary Canada.
People like Hollywood Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Chris
Benoit, The Undertaker etc all were present for the
ceremony. Rick Bell of the Calgary Sun newspaper tried to
have a small interview with WWF owner Vince McMahon. "Don't
say I have no comment. Don't tell the people I said that
because I didn't. I have a lot to say and I will say it. I
promise you that. But this is not the time to do it. Not
now. Not today. I'm not here for that. Give me a few days.
Give me to the end of the week. Then we'll talk," he said.
(Story originally published on June 1st 1999)
MARTA HART PROMISING 'DAY OF RECKONING'
- "I'm a very forgiving person and I'm not bitter or angry,
but there will be a day of reckoning. This is my final
promise to Owen, and I won't let him down." Those are the
exact words Martha Hart said yesterday morning during the
funeral of her late husband Owen. Many people are blaming
Vince McMahon for what happened to the Canadian wrestler,
but no one can blame anyone before all the facts are in.
"Whoever is responsible for what happened to Owen will be
held accountable," brother Bret said. Both Bret and Martha
appeared on Larry King Live yesterday for a 7 minute
segment. She again said that the day of reckoning will come.
The legendary host asked if she can further explain what she
means, but Martha said that authorities wouldn't let her,
and has no comment about her quote. It's very interesting to
say that the coordinator for last Sunday's stunt with Owen
Hart, is the same coordinator that helps Sting whenever he
comes down for the rafters.
(Story originally published on June 1st 1999)
TRANSCRIPT FROM LARRY KING LIVE
- A full transcript from Bret Hart and Marta Hart's
appearance on the Larry King Live show can be downloaded
from here.
HART FURIOUS OVER FUNERAL FOOTAGE
- Last Monday on RAW, the WWF showed footage of the Owen
Hart funeral, and according to Martha Hart, they showed it
against her wishes. Martha talked to WWF owner Vince McMahon
directly several times, and asked him repeatedly not to show
any footage from the funeral. "I feel exploited and violated
by it, I was completely repulsed by it," said Hart to the
Calgary Sun yesterday. "I said it because I dislike their
show and (airing funeral footage) is self-serving,"
continued Martha. "Not only did they disrespect me, they
didn't care. Now there's nothing I can do." Martha continued
to say to the Calgary Sun that there was a big heart with
"Owen Hart" written on it, and it had the WWF logo on the
side. Martha said she was disgusted and told them to get rid
of it. "The WWF should be totally denounced for what they
did," she said. "Owen was not a tacky, sleazy wrestler and I
didn't want the footage aired on a WWF show." She clearly
stated "It's like war." She added that Vince McMahon didn't
pay for Owen Hart's funeral, but she did.
(Story originally published on June 2nd 1999)
MCMAHON REPLIES TO MARTHA HART'S COMMENTS
- Vince McMahon replied to Marta Hart's comments that
were published on the Calgary Sun. Below is his statement.
For the record, giving Martha Hart the benefit of the
doubt in her time of grieving, I spoke to Martha after the
death of Owen on approximately five occasions. At no time
during any conversations did she ask me not to show footage
from Owen's funeral.
However, in fairness to Martha, she did indicate to Carl
DeMarco (President of Titan Promotions --Canada, and,
longtime Hart family friend) at one time, that she would
prefer that the World Wrestling Federation not show the
funeral footage.
However, in a subsequent conversation, DeMarco explained to
Martha that since she invited all other media to the funeral
services and even to the burial, it would only be
appropriate that the WWF show footage of Owen's funeral so
that Owen's fans could say goodbye.
Giving Martha Hart the benefit of the doubt, she may have
forgotten that she changed her mind and addressed the
situation with DeMarco and not me. I don't know why Mrs.
Hart would publicly raise the issue of who paid for Owen's
funeral. It was the WWF's expressed intention to Rob
Wintonick of the McInnis and Holloway Funeral Home to pay
for all funeral expenses.
However, unbeknown to us, Mrs. Hart directed the funeral
home that she would pay certain expenses. Incidentally, the
WWF also paid for items such as: Limousine services,
transportation of the body, flowers, service folders, video
screen, public address system, buses, signage for buses, arm
bands, catering, housekeeping, lawn cleanup, ladies and
men's clothing, sunglasses, hairdressing, obituaries, a
Canadian flag.
The WWF also paid $152,200 US for transportation expenses
for WWF talent and personnel.
Also, your article stated that Mrs. Hart instructed our
flowers to be removed from the funeral home. Enclosed please
find a rendering from our creative department to the local
florist.
In the funeral home, our flowers were indeed present.
However, the WWF logo had been removed and Owen's initials,
OH, stood in its place. I can only assume this was at Mrs.
Hart's request. It is unfortunate that Mrs. Hart feels
violated in any way, although her grief, which we share, is
understandable. Out of respect for Owen and the wonderful
human being that he was, I do not want to engage Martha
Hart's allegations in a public forum.
I simply am writing so that you will have the facts.
Vince McMahon
Chairman, World Wrestling Federation
(Story originally published on June 5th 1999)
HART FAMILY SUING THE WWF
- We were expecting this to happen any moment. The Hart
Family will launch a multi million dollar lawsuit against
WWF owner Vince McMahon and his company next week. 4 lawyers
are representing the Harts, including Pamela Fischer of
Pipella and Co. "There will be a worldwide press conference
on Tuesday in Kansas City," she explained. Contacted by the
Toronto Sun staff, Vince McMahon said, "I don't know
anything about it, I'm not going to engage Martha, it's such
a sensitive subject." In the meantime criminal
investigations are still going on, and could bring a charge
of involuntary manslaughter under Missouri law. Maj. Gregory
Mills of the Kansas City Police Department said, "I have
some concerns that the material was the right stuff to use
to lower a (large) man." Of course, to press charges,
investigators must provide enough evidence to prosecutors,
and all evidence must point to one person. "We also need to
find out who decided to use that equipment and why,"
continued Mills. According to a crime lab in Kansas City,
Owen Hart fell at a speed of 80km/h, hitting the turnbuckle.
(Story originally published on June 12th 1999)
THE LAWSUIT
- The full lawsuit - 45 pages of it - of Marta, Stu and
Helen Hart suing Vince McMahon, World Wrestling Federation
and associated parties at the Over The Edge pay-per-view can
be read here.
OWEN HART LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT CONFIRMED
- After months of fights, the Owen Hart case between the
World Wrestling Federation and the Hart family is finally
settled, and the motion was confirmed yesterday by a
Missouri judge. Calgary Sun reporter Eric Francis reports
that as soon everything was confirmed, Martha Hart took her
two children to the same arena where Owen Hart died in May
of 1999. "I wanted them to see where their father died
because over the years I didn't want them to look back and
have any questions unanswered," said Martha with tears in
her eyes.
(Story originally published on November 8th 1999)
STU HART ON RAW?
- Rumors have been spreading around that the Canadian legend
Stu Hart will be appearing on RAW Is WAR tonight which is
live from Calgary, Alberta Canada. The once strong
relationship between the Harts and the WWF went to pieces
when Owen Hart died in the ring on May of 99 live on
pay-per-view. Now that the settlement lawsuit has been
cleared, it's hoped that the relationship between the two
will once again be successful. Several sources are reporting
that WWF will be honoring Hart
tonight on the broadcast if everything goes fine between the
two parties.
(Story originally published on May 28th 2001)
HART FAMILY MEMBERS COMMENT
- The rumored appearance of Stu Hart on WWF TV tonight
on RAW Is WAR has bothered a Hart family member, Martha, the
wife of the late Owen Hart. "If anyone from the Hart family
were to go to the show it would be disrespectful and
disgusting," said Martha in the Calgary Sun which was
re-printed online at SLAM! Wrestling. Smith Hart said he
would be at ringside, while father Stu who in the article
said he still hasn't been invited said, "I haven't been
officially invited yet, if he wants me to be
introduced...I'd say, 'please, Vince, if you get a chance,
just for old times' sake, give me a plug.'" Also in the
article, Martha said that she talked to Bret to see if he
will be a part of it too, and Bret said he would never have
anything to do with the WWF again.
(Story originally published on May 28th 2001)
ANOTHER TWIST IN THE WWE VS MARTHA HART LAWSUIT
- WWE, Inc., was given a green light to sue Lewmar Inc.,
- makers of the trigger-latch shackle used in Owen Hart's
stunt - after a Missouri judge ruled that the Harts and
attorneys Robb & Robb engaged in fraud during the trial.
Martha Hart dismissed Lewmar Inc., and others from the
lawsuit after she wanted that only WWE pay the price for
what happened to her husband during the then-WWF
pay-per-view in 1999. The Judge said that there is enough
evidence that shows the Robb & Robb attorney firm and their
client - in this case the Hart family - "'engaged in fraud,
collusion and/or tortuous conduct' in connection with a
settlement that was reached with one of the defendants." A
trial is set for September pitting WWE vs Lewmar Inc., and
WWE can ask for part or the full amount of the settlement
which was $18 million. Lewmar has nearly $50 million in
liability insurance coverage but one of Hart's attorneys
said that even if they had $1 billion in insurance, Martha
didn't want a nickel from them, she wanted only money from
WWE as she felt they were the only people responsible.
(Story originally published on January 23rd 2003)
WWE LAWSUIT STARTS AGAINST LEWMAR INC.
- The Business Journal newspaper in Kansas City is running a
story about the WWE lawsuit against Lewmar Inc., the
British-based company makers of the trigger-latch shackle
that was the cause of Owen Hart's death in May of 1999. Even
though WWE settled with the Hart family outside court for a
total of $18 million, the case got a twist and the judge
gave the green light for WWE to sue Lewmar, who were cleared
from any wrongdoing by Martha Hart. WWE are looking for the
same sum of $18 million from Lewmar. Case is expected to
last up till five weeks.
(Story originally published on September 8th 2003)
MORE ON THE WWE LAWSUIT AGAINST LEWMAR INC
- The Kansas City Star has an article online regarding the
WWE lawsuit against Lewmar Inc., whose trial started
yesterday. Sixteen jurors with four alternates will be
deciding if Lewmar should be held responsible for the death
of Owen Hart. Local attorney Craig O'Dear from Bryan Cave
LLP is representing World Wrestling Entertainment in this
case. "The evidence will show that it was defectively
designed and defectively manufactured," he said in the
opening statements.
(Story originally published on September 9th 2003)
WWE SETTLES LAWSUIT WITH LEWMAR, INC.
- The final chapter in the death of Owen Hart was closed
yesterday as World Wrestling Entertainment and Lewmar, Inc.,
- makers of the harness and equipment which was used on Owen
Hart in 1999 - reached a deal and settled out of court. The
judge placed a gag order on both parties to keep them from
talking about the settlement in public. Jurors interviewed
outside the courthouse said that they called for Lewmar to
pay WWE $9 million, half of what WWE paid to the Hart family
to settle their case. After the case was over, jurors got
their checks from the judge and met with the lawyers of both
parties before posing for some pictures. One of the jurors
was later seen getting an autograph from Linda McMahon, who
was present during the whole trial as WWE's corporate
representative.
(Story originally published on October 1st 2003)
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