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Jury selection underway in lawsuit alleging Anaheim GM Murray threw chair, injured woman

Bob Murray

Anaheim Ducks newly named Executive Vice President & General Manager, Bob Murray, takes questions from the media in Anaheim, Calif. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008. Murray has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Ducks. They have made the playoffs in each of those seasons, including a Stanley Cup title in 2007. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Damian Dovarganes

On Monday, jury selection began in a lawsuit claiming Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray injured a woman by throwing a chair after a playoff-ending loss in 2009.

The suit was filed by Rachel Paris, with the alleged incident occurring near the end of Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals (in which Detroit beat Anaheim, 4-3.)

More, from the Detroit Free Press:

Paris, then 55, of Plymouth, a contract broadcast producer, said Murray, 54, became enraged and hit her with a high-backed bar stool, knocking her to the ground.

Her lawyers said the attack was so vicious, it caused Paris to urinate blood and tore cartilage in her left shoulder, requiring surgery, among other injuries.

They said she was fired after her boss told her not to notify police because he was fearful of losing his broadcasting contract with the Wings.

“She’s lost her house, she’s lost her car and she hasn’t been able to work,” Paris’ lawyer, Mayer Morganroth of Birmingham, said Monday. He said Paris suffered debilitating injuries that have prevented her from working.

Murray’s lawyer, Steven Potter of Auburn Hills, said the accusations are bogus: “We’re confident that the jury will make the right decision after they hear all of the evidence.”

In May 2009 -- shortly after Anaheim’s loss to Detroit -- Helene Elliott of the LA Times wrote a story highlighting the incident:

Paris, who wouldn’t disclose which media outlet employed her during the game, believed Murray vented his frustration at her because she had been rooting for the Red Wings.

“I was taken to the boards by Bob Murray and survived the hit. I felt like I was cross-checked and I didn’t even have the puck,” Paris told the website [MyFoxDetroit.com], which said she declined to file a formal complaint.

Murray denied throwing the chair at Paris.

“It was a complete accident,” he told The Times on Friday. “I’ve spoken with her and cleared it all up.”

Paris went on to file the lawsuit in Mar. 2010.