Wed, May 25, 2005



Lawyer wants lawsuit tossed

'Trying to put religion on trial' By KEVIN MARTIN, CALGARY SUN

The shunned Jehovah's Witness who is suing his former church over the death of his teenage daughter is trying to put the religion on trial, a lawyer argued yesterday.

David Gnam, who is also named as a defendant, said the lawsuit of Lawrence Hughes, and affidavits filed in support of the action, should be tossed from court.

He told Justice Patricia Rowbotham the sworn affidavits contain hearsay from other disgruntled former Jehovah's Witnesses, and aren't proper.

"The rantings of former church members are entirely irrelevant," Gnam said.

"Not only is it irrelevant, but it is scandalous and oppressive.

"The plaintiff wants to put the religious beliefs of all Jehovah's Witnesses on trial."

Hughes is seeking nearly $1 million in damages over the Sept. 5, 2002, death of his daughter, Bethany, 17, from leukemia.

The girl, who had earlier fought forced blood transfusions which were approved by her father, opposed the medical treatment because it violated her religion.

Along with Gnam, lawyer Shane Brady, some church members, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada, some doctors, medical institutions and the province are defendants.

The girl's mom, Arliss Hughes, had also been named, but the father dropped his action against her yesterday, saying she wasn't responsible for his daughter's death.

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