No Charges in Death of Wrestler Hart
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Criminal charges will not be filed in the death of professional wrestler Owen Hart, who fell to his death during an aerial accident.
Jackson County prosecutor Robert Beaird said Friday there is no basis for an involuntary manslaughter charge against the rigging coordinator.
``Such a charge requires that there be a substantial and unjustifiable risk of death, that the risk was disregarded and that the disregard was a gross deviation from what a reasonable person would do under the circumstances,'' he said.
Hart, known as The Blue Blazer, fell from a cable May 23 while being lowered into the ring at a World Wrestling Federation event at Kemper Arena.
The 34-year-old wrestler fell 78 feet when his harness release opened early. The impact ruptured Hart's aorta, and he bled to death.
Hart's widow and children filed a wrongful death lawsuit in June against the WWF, the city and 11 others. The lawsuit contends the device that the 230-pound Hart wore the night of the accident was grossly inadequate.
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