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Confession kicks off $34 million Giant suit

Trial expected to last a year

Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 01/03) - A civil suit launched by the families of nine men killed in the 1992 Giant Mine bombing got off to a dramatic start Monday, as lawyers for the plaintiffs played a videotape of a teary-eyed Roger Warren confessing to the fatal blast.

NNSL Photo
Roger Warren


"I did it. I did it all by myself," said Warren during an interview at Manitoba's Stony Mountain Institution last Jan 23.

"It just about killed me... the physical effort," said Warren of his escape from the Akaitcho head frame after planting a home-made bomb at the 750-level of the mine.

The admissions came during a pre-trial discovery hearing with lawyers for the families of the dead miners.

The session was part of a $34-million civil suit launched in 1994 by the families, in concert with the Workers' Compensation Board, against a host of defendants including the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Canadian Auto Workers Union, Royal Oak Ventures and its then president Peggy Witte.

In the videotape, Warren -- who was one of nearly 260 miners on strike at the time of the blast Sept. 18, 1992 -- said he knew the bomb would kill replacement workers, something he had steadfastly denied until that point.

"Whoever happened to go by there with an ore car, that would be the end of them," he said.

"I had no feelings for the people at the time. It was pure animosity."

Warren went on to describe his victims as "faceless" and conceded he was now part of mining lore.

The confession was part of a busy opening day in the well-publicized civil trial, as lawyers representing the families of the nine dead miners presented their opening arguments.

"The defendants created an explosive environment... which lead to the deaths," said Philip Warner of Edmonton, one of two lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

"The reason we are here is because all of the defendants are stuck in denial mode."

Warner said Royal Oak and Witte created an atmosphere of "escalating violence" by hiring replacement workers during the strike and insisting the mine stay open.

He also said the company ignored repeated security breaches and didn't take the threat of violence seriously enough.

Warner also blamed the union and its leaders for promoting "an agenda rooted in violent confrontations with the company."

Where's Roger?

On Monday, lawyers for the plaintiffs outlined a long list of potential witnesses with one conspicuous absence: Roger Warren.

The issue of the convicted murderer's appearance in court was briefly addressed by lawyers for both sides, but no decision was made on whether or not he would appear.

NWT Supreme Court Justice Arthur Lutz of Calgary, who is hearing the case without a jury, offered to make the court transcripts available to Warren, pending the agreement of the GNWT.

The list of those scheduled to testify includes family members of the nine dead miners, several high profile union members and a litany of experts from forensic pathologists to psychologists.

The massive civil trial, which is expected to last up to a year, faces several procedural challenges, including how to accommodate 16 lawyers representing roughly a dozen defendants. At one point, nine defence lawyers objected -- in sequence -- to a request brought forward by the plaintiffs. "Is that all," joked Lutz.

The justice also urged all those in the courtroom to remain civil throughout the proceedings.

"Long trials can wear down the most stalwart and stoic among us.

"Do your best to exercise the greatest respect towards witnesses and the bench."

The trial is taking place on the fifth floor of the YK Centre in a specially built courtroom which will cost the GNWT roughly one $1 million dollars to operate over the next year.