Women Testifies Against Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray Regarding 2009 Bar Stool Incident
By jer
Back in the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, you might recall a story making headlines stating that Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray was involved in a press box “incident” in which it is alleged that he threw a bar stool in frustration after a game winning goal by the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks were eliminated from the playoffs that night, and the bar stool apparently struck Rachel Paris, an employee working as a TV stage manager at Joe Louis Arena who was in the press box with Murray. At the time, Paris declined to file a formal complaint or criminal charges, and Murray told the Los Angeles Times that “It was a complete accident. I’ve spoken with her and cleared it all up.”
The story made headlines again in 2010 when it was discovered that, a year after the incident, Paris had decided it was time to file a lawsuit against the Ducks’ GM. She finally got her day in court yesterday (August 15th), giving her testimony to witnesses.
From the Detroit Free Press, as reported on Puck Daddy:
"“He said, ‘I’m so sorry. This was an accident,’ ” she testified.“‘You and I both know that this was no accident,’ ” Paris said she replied.Paris said she suffered a debilitating shoulder injury, headaches, back problems, chipped teeth and other problems that cost her her stage manager job at sporting events. She said the job paid up to $550 per event. Her lawyer, Mayer Morganroth of Birmingham, said she lost her house, car and job because of the assault."
Paris is asking for an award in excess $75,000 to cover her injuries (which she claims later caused her to lose her job, house, and car), though at the time of the incident she declined any medical treatment.
"Murray’s lawyer Steven Potter told jurors that Paris was exaggerating her injuries, as the defense has videos showing her carrying groceries for three miles and lifting a 2.5-gallon gas can with her “debilitated” left shoulder."
The trial is expected to conclude early next week, and Murray is set to testify. It’ll be intereting to see how this trial unfolds.
Jer is not ready to face any lawsuits. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.