John Hollar's beating death on Edmonton LRT spurs lawsuit

The parents of a man who died after a severe beating on Edmontons LRT is suing several people and organizations for not doing enough to help their son.

Brenda and Steve Hollar have launched a lawsuit against emergency workers, police officers, a transit driver, the City of Edmonton, police chief Rod Knecht and their sons accused murderer claiming $84,500 in damages.

John Hollar, 29,died two days after he was beaten on the LRT, an incident that spurred a review of LRT safety because the driver continued to the next stop after being alerted to the attack.

Court documents filed on Dec. 23 claim the ETS driver failed to take appropriate action within a reasonable time, including stopping the train or notifying passengers that there was an act of violence taking place on the train he was operating.

The statement also claims ETS of taking too long to contact emergency services for help and says police officers were too slow to respond.

The grieving parents say as a resultthey have suffered grief, mental distress and the loss of their sons guidance, care and companionship.

None of theallegationshave been proven in court.

At the time, Edmonton Transit officialssaid police were told to go to the next stop atClareview instead of the nearest,Bellevedere, inthe belief it would be easier for police to meet there due totraffic.

Jeremy Newborn has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in Hollars death.

His trial was originally scheduled for October, but was delayed over concerns about a lack of aboriginal people included in the jury pool.

That court challenge is expected to be heard in March.