Yellowknife (Dec 16/04) - Widows of the nine men killed Sept. 18, 1992 by the bomb set in Giant mine by Roger Warren during a long and bitter labour dispute have been awarded more than $10.7 million in damages

The 419-page decision by Supreme Court Justice Arthur Lutz was released today. Closing arguments in the civil suit wrapped up in May. Testimony in the case began in September 2003 in a specially-built $1 million courtroom.

Lutz ruled the likelihood someone would be killed in the violent dispute was great.

"It is ludicrous to advance a view, as Royal Oak persisted in doing, that no reasonable person viewing these scenes at Giant was able to appreciate the foreseeability of a death."

He also rejected suggestions that controversial mine owner Peggy Witte should be held personally liable.

"(Peggy) Witte, on the evidence before me, like (Royal Oak director William) Sheridan, did not step outside her corporate governance box and, accordingly, will not bear any personal liability," wrote Lutz.

Lutz ruled that Warren should be held 26 per cent responsible for the deaths.

The rest of the blame went to other defendants, Royal Oak -- 23 per cent ‚ and Canadian Auto Workers National ‚ 22 per cent.

• Pinkerton's: 15 per cent
• Government of the Northwest Territories: nine per cent.
• Allan Shearing and Harry Seeton: two per cent each.
• Tim Bettger: one per cent.
• Sheila Fullowka received the largest portion of the damages: $2,196,233.41.
• Bonnie Lou Sawler: $1,549,831.61.
• Carlene Dawn Rowsell: $1,440,428.
• Judit Pandev: $1,245,148.89
• Doreen Hourie: $1,128,723.59
• Doreen Vodnoski: $1,115,499.34
• Karen Russell: $1,013,132.47
• Tracey Neill: $978,471
• Ella May Carol Riggs: $64,204.63
• Jim O'Neil was also suing for damages and was awarded $586,736.44.