Cole families seek to reopen Sudan lawsuit

[unhappycamper]

The families of the 17 sailors killed in the bombing of the destroyer Cole, shown here roughly two months after the ship was attacked, are seeking to reopen a lawsuit against te government of Sudan.


Cole families seek to reopen Sudan lawsuit
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 13:51:44 EST

NORFOLK, Va. — Family members of the 17 sailors killed in the destroyer Cole attack want to use a new law to help them get the more than $100 million in damages they had sought by suing Sudan.

Last July, a federal judge found that Sudan provided training and logistics that allowed al-Qaida terrorists to bomb the Norfolk-based destroyer when it was refueling in a Yemen harbor on Oct. 12, 2000.

U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar ordered Sudan to pay about $8 million for lost wages and earnings potential, saying he was prohibited by law from awarding the families money for pain and suffering.

Lawyers for the families filed court papers last week asking Doumar to reopen the case, The Virginian-Pilot reported Monday. They cited the Justice for Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Act, a law signed by President Bush on Jan. 28 that allows terrorism victims to seek punitive damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress.

“We are well within our rights to go back to Judge Doumar,” lawyer Mary Jane Hall said. “There’s no reason now why their claims would be denied.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_colelawsuit_080204/