Posted on 11/12/2002 7:44:46 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
TORONTO (Reuters) - A Canadian judge threw out a claim by a 9-year-old hockey player who said an opposing team's hockey coach had threatened to put a "bounty" on his head, according to a legal advisor to the family.
John Bijelic had launched the small-claims suit against Peter Higley, seeking $6,400 for, among other things, "intentional infliction of mental suffering."
During three days of testimony, the boy said Higley, 35, had said he was going to put on a bounty on him and carry it out himself.
But in a north Toronto courtroom Thursday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Pamela Thomson called the case a "sad mess," saying the boy's fear was more a product of the actions of his parents, who should have reassured him he was not in danger, local newspapers reported.
"I do think that the courts have to find some way of protecting children from adults engaged in hockey who go out of control, as Mr. Higley did in this case," Harry Kopyto, legal adviser for the Bijelics, told Reuters.
"An appeal is under active consideration."
The lawsuit garnered heavy media attention in hockey-crazed Canada, where thousands of children play the sport and fights and arguments among parents at minor league games is a hot-button issue.
Newspapers said Higley admitted he lost his temper after his son was punched in the stomach during the traditional post-game handshake, but he told the court he never said anything about a bounty.
Higley has said that while he initially though Bijelic had thrown the punch, he later decided it might have been someone else.
During three days of testimony, the boy said Higley, 35, had said he was going to put on a bounty on him and carry it out himself.
Huh? So the coach was going to pay himself a bounty to kill this kid?
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