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Assault of Nancy Kerrigan

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1994 Cobo Arena attack
Cobo Arena, the site of the attack, pictured here in 2007
LocationCobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DateJanuary 6, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-01-06)
~2:35 PM (EST (UTC−05:00))
TargetNancy Kerrigan
Attack type
Bludgeoning
WeaponASP telescopic baton
InjuredNancy Kerrigan
PerpetratorsJeff Gillooly
Shawn Eckardt
Derrick Smith
AssailantShane Stant
AccusedTonya Harding
ChargesRacketeering
Conspiracy
Hindering prosecution
LitigationHarding v. US Figure Skating Ass'n, 851 F. Supp. 1476 (D. Or. 1994)

At around 2:35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 6, 1994, American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was struck on the lower right thigh with a telescopic baton by assailant Shane Stant as she walked down a corridor in Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Kerrigan had been practicing skating on an ice rink in the arena shortly beforehand. The attack was planned by fellow American figure skater Tonya Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his co-conspirator Shawn Eckardt.[1][2][3] They hired Stant, and his uncle Derrick Smith, to carry out the attack. Gillooly and Eckardt both claimed Harding was involved in the attack and had knowledge of it beforehand. Harding denied any involvement in, or knowledge of, the attack, despite Gillooly and Eckardt's claims.[4][5]

The attack was intended to prevent Kerrigan from taking part in the ongoing 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships and the upcoming Winter Olympics, thus increasing the prospects of Harding in both figure skating events. Kerrigan could not compete in the US Championship but recovered in time to compete in the Winter Olympics. Both Kerrigan and Harding competed in the Olympics, but Harding was later banned for life from United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) figure skating events.[6]

Background

Nancy Kerrigan is an American former figure skater who, in January 1994, was about to take part in the United States Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan. Her main rival in that tournament was Tonya Harding. The attack took place just days before the tournament, and rendered Kerrigan unable to take part.[7] The Winter Olympics were also set to take place in February, where Kerrigan and Harding were likely to be the two female figure skaters representing the United States. The attack benefited Harding as it allowed her to win the U.S. Championships with ease, and could have benefited her if it had taken Kerrigan out of the Olympics.[1]

Jeff Gillooly was Tonya Harding's ex-husband.[1] At the time of the attack, the couple were together and still referred to each other as husband and wife. Shawn Eckardt, a friend of Gillooly's who was also Harding's bodyguard before the attack, had originally been hired by the figure skater after she received anonymous death threats.[8] Derrick Smith, an associate of Eckardt, was paid $6500 to carry out the attack; Eckardt had received the money from Gillooly. Shane Stant, Smith's nephew, initially planned to carry out the attack by himself and had travelled to Kerrigan's home rink in Cape Cod in late December 1993, but was unable to locate her. Stant then followed Kerrigan to the Nationals in Detroit in early January 1994. Gillooly opposed carrying out an attack in Detroit, feeling it too likely they would be caught, and instructed Eckardt to wire Stant funds to return home without carrying out the attack. Eckardt instead wired the funds to Smith, who then traveled to join Stant in Detroit.[9] Stant and Smith then planned to carry out the attack together.[10]

Attack

On the afternoon of January 6, 1994, Kerrigan was practicing for the U.S. Championships on an ice rink inside Cobo Arena. A camera crew was recording her practice session and showed her leaving the ice rink and walking through a curtain and down a hallway; the camera then cuts out.[11] Stant stated in a 2018 interview that he was standing "about a foot and a half" (around half a meter) behind the camera crew and waited for them to stop filming before he followed Kerrigan through the curtain.[12] Stant approached Kerrigan from behind, extended a telescopic baton, struck her lower right thigh and walked away. He then escaped from the arena by smashing through a locked glass door. Smith was waiting in a car outside and acted as a getaway driver. The camera crew began recording again shortly after the attack and recorded Kerrigan sitting on the floor crying surrounded by arena staff. Here, Kerrigan exclaimed the famous line, "Why? Why? Why?"[a] This footage was later broadcast around the world in news programs. Kerrigan was then carried away to a changing room by her father.[11]

Aftermath

Immediate aftermath

Harding's practice sessions at Clackamas Town Center, in preparation for the 1994 Winter Olympics, were attended by thousands of spectators and dozens of reporters and film crews.

On January 11, Ann Schatz interviewed Harding for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon. Schatz asked if she had considered whether someone she knew had planned to attack Nancy. Harding answered, "I have definitely thought about it. No one controls my life but me...if there's something in there that I don't like, I'm going to change it."[13][14][15] Harding also confirmed she had spoken with FBI agents in Detroit and again in Portland.[16] On January 13, Eckardt and Smith were arrested.[17][18] On January 14, the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) made a statement on whether Eckardt's arrest affected Harding's Olympic placement: "We will deal only with the facts."[19][20] Harding and Gillooly's separate lawyers confirmed the couple were in daily contact and cooperation with law enforcement.[21] On January 15, Harding and Gillooly spoke with reporters, but declined to comment about the investigation.[22] On January 16, Harding's lawyer held a news conference in which he read a statement denying Harding's involvement in the attack on Kerrigan.[23][24] Harding left her home that evening to practice figure skating with her coaches, where she spoke with reporters and performed a triple Axel.[25][26][27]

USFSA disciplinary panel

On February 5, 1994, the disciplinary panel of the USFSA stated reasonable grounds existed to believe Harding had violated the sport's code of ethics.[28] Harding's admitted failure to report about an assault on a fellow competitor, supported by her FBI transcripts, led to her being formally charged with "[making] false statements about her knowledge". The USFSA also recommended that she face a disciplinary hearing. Claire Ferguson, president of the USFSA, decided not to suspend Harding's membership before a hearing took place. If she had been suspended, she likely still would have competed at the Olympics after filing suit, seeking an injunction against the USFSA, and asserting her rights under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978.[29] The panel examined evidence including the testimonies of Stant and Smith, Harding and Gillooly's telephone records, and notes found in a Portland saloon trash bin on January 30.[30] Harding was given thirty days to respond.[31]

Grand jury indictment

Harding arriving at Portland International Airport amid a crush of reporters after the 1994 Olympics.

On March 21, 1994, a Portland grand jury issued an indictment stating there was evidence Harding participated in the attack plot. The indictment concluded more than two months of investigation and witness testimonies from Diane Rawlinson; Harding's choreographer Erika Bakacs; freelance figure skating writer Vera Marano; and Eckardt's college instructor and classmates.[32][33][34][35] It stated there was evidence Harding fraudulently used USFSA-provided skating monies to finance the assault. It also read that Harding, Gillooly, Eckardt, Smith, and Stant agreed to "knowingly cause physical injury...by means of a dangerous weapon." The grand jury foreman said the evidence implied Harding as "involved from the beginning or very close." She was not charged in the indictment due to the terms of her March 16 plea agreement.[36][37]

Sentences

On February 1, 1994, Gillooly's attorney negotiated a plea agreement in exchange for testimony regarding all involved parties in the attack. In July, he was sentenced to two years in prison after publicly apologizing to Kerrigan – even though, he said, "any apology coming from me rings hollow."[35][38] Gillooly and Eckardt pleaded guilty to racketeering, while Stant and Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree assault.[39][40] Judge Donald Londer noted the attack could have injured Kerrigan more seriously.[41] Eckardt died in 2007.[42]

On March 16, Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution as a Class C felony offense at a Multnomah County court hearing. She and her lawyer, Robert Weaver, negotiated a plea agreement ensuring no further prosecution.[43] Judge Londer conducted routine questioning to make certain Harding understood her agreement, that she was entering her plea "knowingly and voluntarily." Harding told Londer she was. Her plea admissions were knowing of the assault plot after the fact, settling on a cover story with Gillooly and Eckardt on January 10, witnessing payphone calls to Smith affirming the story on January 10 and 11, and lying to FBI.[44][45] Law enforcement investigators had been following and videotaping the co-conspirators since January 10, and knew about the payphone calls.[46][35][47] Harding's penalties included three years of probation, $100,000 fine, and 500 hours community service. She agreed to reimburse Multnomah County $10,000 in legal expenses, undergo a psychiatric examination, and volunteered to give $50,000 to the Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) charity. Oregon sentencing guidelines carried a max penalty of five years imprisonment for the offense.[48]

Second disciplinary panel meeting

On June 29, the USFSA disciplinary panel met for nine hours over two days to consider Harding's alleged role in the attack.[49] On June 30, chairman William Hybl stated, "By a preponderance of the evidence, the panel did conclude that she had prior knowledge and was involved prior to the incident. This is based on civil standards, not criminal standards...bank records, phone records – the way they came together to establish a case." The panel decided that pertinent FBI reports, court documents, and Harding's March 16 plea agreement presented "a clear disregard for fairness, good sportsmanship, and ethical behaviour."[50] Harding chose neither to attend nor participate in the two-day hearing. Weaver said the decision disappointed her but was not a surprise, and that she had not decided on an appeal.[51][52] Harding was stripped of her 1994 U.S. Championship title and banned for life from participating in USFSA events as either skater or coach. The USFSA has no dominion over professional skating events, yet Harding was also persona non grata on the pro circuit. Few skaters and promoters would work with her, and she did not benefit from the ensuing boom in professional skating after the scandal.[53]

The attack and the scandal surrounding it was depicted in the 2017 film I, Tonya with Margot Robbie playing Harding, Ricky Russert playing Stant, and Caitlin Carver playing Kerrigan.[54]

The attack was mentioned in Weird Al Yankovic’s song "Headline News", a parody of the Crash Test Dummies hit "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".[55]

The penultimate episode of the animated comedy Futurama, "Stench and Stenchibility", features a devilish 6-year-old girl named Tonya (voiced by Tara Strong; a reference to Harding), who is the opponent of Bender Rodriguez (John DiMaggio) in a tap dancing competition held by Randy Munchnik. As Bender attempts to sabotage her performance by filling her tap shoes with tacks in the locker room, Tonya catches him in the act, and breaks his leg with a nightstick in a similar manner to the attack on Kerrigan.

Notes

  1. ^ Some newspapers, such as the New York Daily News, misquoted Kerrigan as saying "Why me!?". This sentence cannot be heard on the clip filmed by the camera crew.

References

  1. ^ a b c Swift, E. M. (February 14, 1994). "Anatomy of a Plot". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "Flashback: Kerrigan & Harding". ESPN. 2003-11-19. Archived from the original on 2011-05-30. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  3. ^ Longman, Jere (1994-02-06). "Sports: Whole World is Watching". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  4. ^ Hamilton, William (January 15, 1994). "Three Held in Assault on Kerrigan". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Janofsky, Micheal (January 15, 1994). "Third Suspect Arrested by F.B.I. In the Attack on Olympic Skater". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  6. ^ Brennan, Christine (July 1, 1994). "Harding Stripped of Title; Banned for Life". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Brennan, Christine (January 8, 1994). "Injured Kerrigan Withdraws From Olympic Trials". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  8. ^ Wildt, Tanya (14 December 2019). "Who is Tonya Harding's former bodyguard Shawn Eckardt?". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  9. ^ "How plot was born, unraveled". Detroit Free Press. 2 February 1994. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Ice-skater's former husband gives himself up". The Independent. 20 January 1994. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  11. ^ a b Nancy Kerrigan Attack - Raw Footage - January 6, 1994. YouTube. IntersportChicago. January 3, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Man Who Attacked Nancy Kerrigan in 1994 Apologises: "I'm a Different Person". YouTube. Inside Edition. January 18, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Bruscas, Angelo; Clever, Dick (Jan 13, 1994). "Husband, bodyguard implicated in attack – Police 'close' to arrest in Kerrigan case" (TIFF). Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 137, no. 12. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  14. ^ Haight, Abby; Vader, J.E. (1994). Fire on Ice. p. 99. ISBN 9780525575313. Retrieved August 12, 2018. 'I just wish people would see that, you know, I'm out there trying just as much as everybody else is, and it's just really sad. It's sad that there's that kind of people out there.' And she once again expressed her fierce determination. 'No one controls my life but me,' Harding said.
  15. ^ Ann Schatz's 1994 interview with Tonya Harding at KOIN. KOIN 6. January 11, 1994 Excerpt of Tonya Harding claiming that she doesn't know how Nancy Kerrigan came to be attacked from 0:56
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  17. ^ Long, James; Hogan, Dave (January 14, 1994). "Sheriff's deputies arrest Tonya Harding's bodyguard & another man". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
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  20. ^ Brennan, Christine; Walsh, Edward (January 14, 1994). "Rival's Bodyguard, One Other Arrested in Assault". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  21. ^ Haight, Abby; Vader, J.E. (1994). Fire on Ice. p. 100. ISBN 9780525575313. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018. On Thursday, January 13, Dennis Rawlinson, Harding's lawyer (and husband of Tonya's coach), said that she would have plenty to say. The next day, a statement was issued: "Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly are meeting today with their lawyers...[They] have cooperated with law enforcement
  22. ^ Wilstein, Steve (Jan 16, 1994). "Harding chances called 'grim' – New witness says skater knew of plot" (TIFF). Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 137, no. 15. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  23. ^ Wilstein, Steve (Jan 17, 1994). "Harding says she's innocent – 'Tonya is shocked & angry'" (TIFF). Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 137, no. 16. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  24. ^ Swift, E.M (January 24, 1994). "On Thin Ice". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  25. ^ 3Axel1996 (January 1994), "Tonya Harding Saga Part 7", Paramount Domestic Television – via YouTube →Hard Copy report showing footage of Harding speaking with reporters on January 15, 1994; cut to footage of Harding training with her coaches late on January 16, performing a triple Axel from 5:17{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  26. ^ "Harding's ex-husband faces arrest" (TIFF). Santa Cruz Sentinel. Vol. 137, no. 17. Associated Press. January 18, 1994. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "Pieces falling together in Kerrigan attack case". The Journal Times. Associated Press. Jan 18, 1994. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  28. ^ "Harding's Disciplinary Charges". Scribd. February 5, 1994. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  29. ^ Longman, Jere (Jan 28, 1994). "Harding to Get Olympic Spot but Inquiry Continues". New York Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  30. ^ Crossman, Matt (Dec 19, 2013). "Harding-Kerrigan 20 Years Later: Remembering the Stunning Attack". The Evidence in the Dumpster. Bleacher Report, Inc. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  31. ^ Longman, Jere (Feb 6, 1994). "Harding Ordered To Appear At Hearing". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  32. ^ Brennan, Christine (Jan 21, 1994). "Bodyguard Says Harding Knew of Plot". Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  33. ^ Long, James; Hogan, Dave (March 17, 1994). "Harding found guilty of hindering investigation". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  34. ^ Bruscas, Angelo (Feb 4, 1994). "Records Indicate Harding Lied About Phone Calls". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  35. ^ a b c Balzar, John (Feb 2, 1994). "Ex-Spouse Pleads Guilty & Implicates Harding". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  36. ^ Howard, Johnette (March 22, 1994). "Jury: Harding in on Plot". Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  37. ^ "Indictment Says Harding Involved in Kerrigan Plot". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 22, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  38. ^ "Gillooly Sentenced to 2 Years in Jail". New York Times. Associated Press. July 14, 1994. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  39. ^ "Kerrigan Attacker & Accomplice Sent to Jail". New York Times. May 17, 1994. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  40. ^ Muldoon, Katy (Jan 6, 2014). "20 years later: highlights in a timeline". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
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  42. ^ "Former guard dead". Chicago Tribune. Dec 17, 2007. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  43. ^ Howard, Johnette (March 17, 1994). "Harding Admits Guilt in Plea Bargain, Avoids Prison". Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  44. ^ Buckley, Stephen (Feb 2, 1994). "Gillooly Pleads Guilty, Says Harding Approved Plot". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  45. ^ "Harding's ex-husband says she helped to plan attack – Attorney: 'What Did Tonya Know And When?'". Orlando Sentinel. Feb 2, 1994. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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  47. ^ Janofsky, Michael (Feb 1, 1994). "Lawyer for Skater's Ex-Husband Says He Has Tied Her to Attack". New York Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  48. ^ Balzar, John (March 17, 1994). "Harding Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Justice. Olympian resigns". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
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  52. ^ Brennan, Christine (July 1, 1994). "Harding Stripped of Title; Banned for Life". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  53. ^ Hamilton, Scott; Benet, Lorenzo (1999). Landing It: My Life on and off the Ice. ISBN 1575664666.
  54. ^ Dargis, Manohla (6 December 2017). "Review: 'I, Tonya.' I, Punching Bag. I, Punch Line". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  55. ^ McDonald, Patrick (December 1, 1994). "Magical Music". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved May 1, 2013. (subscription required)
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