More on Hart Lawsuit
At 9:01 a.m. yesterday, Calgary time, Martha, Stu and Helen
Hart filed a 118-page wrongful death lawsuit against 13
defendants, charging unsafe equipment was used, no proper
training was given and no special precautions were taken for the
stunt ending the life of wrestler Owen Hart.
The suit -- being argued by Kansas City lawyer Gary C. Robb, who
won $350 million US in a helicopter crash lawsuit -- also claims
safety was consciously ignored so wilder stunts could be done to
attract bigger pay TV and ticket dollars.
The suit calls the conduct of the defendants "wanton,
willful, callous, reckless and depraved."
Owen's widow, Martha, made an impassioned plea before reporters.
"Make no mistake. Wrestling is a show and it's fake.
Professional wrestling has become a showy display of graphic
violence and sexual themes and ever more dangerous stunts,"
said a tearful Martha.
"Owen has died and there is nothing I can do to bring him
back. But one hope above all is that his death will not be in
vain. I believe those responsible should be held accountable
under the law."
Those sued include the World Wrest-ling Federation, its parent
company Titan Sports, WWF chairman Vince McMahon and Vince's
wife, Linda McMahon, who's also WWF president.
Other defendants are designers and manufacturers of the stunt
equipment used by Owen, four riggers who worked on the stunt and
the City of Kansas City, which owns the Kemper Arena where Owen
fell to his death May 23.
No dollar figure is set for the lawsuit, though Robb will ask a
Kansas City jury for what is "fair and reasonable."
Fair and reasonable could hit $500 million, say several informed
Sun sources.
Robb says Owen was placed in a "makeshift contraption"
high above the ring and the wrestler unintentionally set off the
release cord while adjusting his cape, worn as part of his Blue
Blazer costume.
Robb says a movement of Owen's shoulder caused a slight 6 lbs. of
"pull tension" triggering the release cord sending Owen
hurtling to his death eight storeys below.
The lawyer, among the most famous trial attorneys in America,
says the equipment was wrong for the stunt -- a hook attached to
Owen Hart's vest is usually used in the rigging of sailboats and
Owen's release cord was taped on with duct tape.
At the news conference, family members did most of the talking.
Bret spoke of Owen as the only good thing about the WWF, Helen
talked about how much she missed her son, the baby of the family.
But Martha, looking at once feisty and frail at a table draped in
black, occupied centre stage. You knew this was a time and place
she could not have imagined.
Martha spoke of her children growing up without their dad, she
talked about her own loneliness, how she missed Owen and how good
Calgarians and people in Kansas City had been.
There was a black and white photo of Owen and the kids sitting on
the table as she spoke. It was crystal clear who is the bad guy
in Martha's mind.
"The WWF has deliberately chosen to promote profit at the
expense of the safety of its performers," she said, raising
her voice.
Martha spoke once again about how horrified she was when they
hauled Owen's dead body out of the ring and continued the show.
"It demonstrates the mindset of the WWF and Vince
McMahon."
And so it ends. For now.
The family says it will say no more, except in court. The WWF
have yet to defend itself in the press.
Martha, her voice softening, thanks Owen's fans throughout the
world and speaks for her dead husband.
"Owen would have been so moved. He has touched so many
lives."
Armed police stood outside the doors where the Hart family held
the briefing. A spokesman for the family said security was tight
because the family feared fans as well as WWF employees might try
to interfere with the event.
(By RICK BELL -- Calgary Sun)
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