wbmd wrote:elliott70 wrote:
George Pelawa, Mr. Hockey and a legend.
For all you young hockey players, drive safe.
And don't drink & drive!!
And not just the young hockey players.
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Jury awards $9.5 million in wrongful death case
By William C. Lhotka
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/28/2007
Former NHL defenseman Rob Ramage
(AP)
UPDATE:
A jury in St. Louis County Circuit Court awarded $9.5 million this afternoon in a wrongful-death trial involving former St. Louis Blues hockey star Rob Ramage.
Ramage, 48, of Chesterfield, and National Car Rentals of Canada are the defendants in the case brought by the family of the late Keith Magnuson, a Chicago business executive and former Chicago Blackhawks defensemen and head coach. Advertisement
Magnuson, 56, was a passenger in a rental car driven by Ramage when Magnuson was killed in a head-on collision in suburban Toronto on Dec. 15, 2003. Magnuson was survived by his wife, Cynthia, his son, Kevin, and his daughter, Molly. Ramage was drunk when the crash occurred, authorities said.
The jury deliberated about two hours before returning its verdict for the Magnuson family, and against Ramage and National Car.
In closing arguments, the attorneys for Magnuson's family, Grant Davis of Kansas City, and Dan Kotin of Chicago, had suggested a range of compensation to the family for Magnuson's death of $25 to $33 million(cq).
Beth Boggs is the attorney for National Car, which is equally liable in the case as Ramage, even though its only role was renting Ramage a car. Boggs said a verdict of $2.5 millon in economic and non-economic damages would fairly compensate the Magnuson family.
Scott Harper, Ramage's attorney, made a brief statement teling the the jury at the end of the case: ``Rob accepts responsbility for the death of Keith Magnuson and awaits your verdict.''
Ramage didn't attend the four-day trial in the court of Judge Gary M. Gaertner Jr. Ramage was convicted last month in Ontario of impaired driving causing death and four other charges. He could get up to 15 years in prison at his sentencing on Jan. 17.
OUR EARLIER STORY:
Former Chicago Blackhawks winger Cliff Koroll told a jury in St. Louis County Circuit Court this morning about his lifelong relationship with the late Keith Magnuson, a former Blackhawks teammate, who died in a car crash in suburban Toronto four years ago.
Koroll testified today in the wrongful death suit by the Magnuson family against former St. Louis Blues defenseman Rob Ramage, 48, of Chesterfield. Magnuson was a passenger in a rental car driven by Ramage on Dec. 15, 2003. Ramage has been found guilty in a criminal trial in Ontario and could get up to 14 years in prison at his sentencing on Jan. 17.
Both Koroll and Magnuson grew up in Saskatoon, Canada, and competed or played together in several sports. Koroll said he went to the University of Denver on a hockey scholarship, and a year later, so did Magnuson. The hockey team won the NCAA national championship when Koroll was a senior, and, again, a year later, when Magnuson was a senior.
Both played for the Blackhawks for 11 years. Magnuson was an All-Star defenseman. Records show Koroll scored 208 goals in 814 games. Magnuson became head coach of the team upon his retirement in 1980 and Koroll then retired and served as his assistant coach.
Koroll, 61, now a Chicago business executive, gave the eulogy at Magnuson's funeral. He told the jury today that Magnuson was a devoted husband to his wife, Cynthia, and a doting father to his son, Kevin. and his daughter, Molly.
Hockey stars Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita got Koroll and Magnuson active in charitable work when the young players joined the team, and no hockey player has done more for hospitals, the Special Olympics and other charities over the years than Magnuson, Koroll said.
The Magnuson family is seeking a seven-figure verdict. Their attorneys allege Ramage was drunk when the Dodge Intrepid he was driving crossed the center line of a highway and struck two vehicles. Magnuson was killed instantly. Ramage and three others survived.
Ramage has been absent from the courtroom. Defense attorneys -- National Car Rental of Canada has also been sued -- withheld their opening statements until the plaintiffs are finished.
