Aug. 1994: Pictures taken from the video of Tonya and Jeff Gillooly's wedding night appear in the 25th anniversary issue of Penthouse magazine. Feb. 10, 1994: Harding sues the U.S. Olympic Committee to stop it from a planned hearing to discuss whether she should participate in the Olympics. "[60][61] Harding and Gillooly's separate lawyers confirmed the couple were in daily contact and cooperation with law enforcement. [45][46] Smith was interested in the deal and agreed to drive to Portland with his nephew, Shane Stant, to meet with Eckardt and Gillooly. Clickheretouploadyours, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. As the new movie I, Tonya depicts, he and Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, became suspects for the crime, and they both pleaded guilty to racketeering in their attempts to harm Kerrigan. I, Tonya movie quotes help tell the story of disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding including her rough upbringing and what led to her eventual lifetime ban from the sport. 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. Lurking in the background was Harding's self-anointed "bodyguard," Shawn Eckardt, a slovenly fabulist. June 30, 1994: Harding is stripped of her 1994 national figure skating title and banned for life from the U.S. Smith and Stant plead guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree assault and are led away in handcuffs to begin their 18-month prison sentences. On June 29, the USFSA disciplinary panel met for nine hours over two days to consider Harding's alleged role in the attack. He then escaped from the arena by smashing through a locked glass door. [16] 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. Shawn Eckhardt in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Harding speaks to the media after "Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera" in 2008. [43], On December 22, 1993, Eckardt received a call from his friend Derrick Smith who lived in Phoenix, Arizona. Still, the movie's screenwriter, Steven Rogers, made sure to interview Gillooly and others so as not to only get Harding's side of the story. Original Name. [75][76] Judge Donald Londer noted the attack could have injured Kerrigan more seriously. health (support- familywize) thank you to our united way supporters, sponsors and partners; campaign In October, she decided to reconcile with Gillooly and withdraw the divorce, saying they were still in love and seeking counseling: "I know he's changed. The whole thing created such a stir that it became a national sensation, and Eckardt was a key figure throughout the whole investation. Jan. 15, 1994: Figure skating officials meet to decide whether Harding can compete in the Olympics in February. If you or someone you know has been. Certified parachutist. "Shawn was the kind of guy you saw in high school or at the bus stop who's in his own world. Eckardt and Harding's . PORTLAND Brian Sean Griffith, the former bodyguard to Tonya Harding, has died. [11] 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. When asked whether Gillooly had ever threatened her, Harding said he had not. "That's news to me," said Joe Walther, the man who answered the phone listed in the letter. Read Mesa Tribune Newspaper Archives, Jan 16, 1994, p. 9 with family history and genealogy records from mesa, arizona 1993-1994. The events -- and the ramshackle cast or characters behind them -- fascinated and disturbed Portlanders and the nation. But circulating through Portland under Gillooly's letterhead is an undated letter of recommendation for Eckardt. Kerrigan, who was attacked in Detroit after a training session, only suffered bruising and managed to win Silver at that years games in Norway. Learn about the life of Stant today and now. Kerrigan had been practicing skating on an ice rink in the arena shortly beforehand. As the Bleacher Report explains, Stants uncle, Derrick Smith, called Stant, who was 22 at the time, in 1993 and asked if Stant would hurt somebody for money. Stant told the FBI that Smith asked him if he would take down a skater. The Bleacher Report added, A man named Shawn Eckardt called and said it would involve slicing the skaters Achilles tendon. Find 16 people named Shawn Eckhardt along with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok profiles on PeekYou - true people search. Feb. 1998: Fox Broadcasting airs the first-ever face-to-face interview between figure skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. The New York Times, which announced his death, called him Brian Sean Griffith, which Eckardt changed his name to after getting out of prison. Just six years later in Dec. 2007, Eckardt passed away in Portland, Oregon, at just 40 years old. He died, apparently of natural causes, in December 2007 at age 40. Shawn Eckardt, 'I, Tonya' Image via NEON. A Portland minister, Eugene Saunders, tells investigators he's heard of tape of Eckardt, Gillooly and friend Shane M. Stant discussing the "hit.". Formerly Shawn Eckardt, Griffith served 14 months for his role in the 1994 attack on. It was later revealed that Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckhardt, were the masterminds who hired Stant to render Kerrigan incapable of competing at the 1994 Olympics. July 21, 1995: Shane Stant, Kerrigan's assailant, is released from the Santiam Correctional Institution after serving 14 months. It has a lot of people wondering: Where is Shane Stant, the Kerrigan knee-whacker, today? Stant then followed Kerrigan to the Nationals in Detroit in early January 1994. His lawyer told the judge that Stant had lived a law-abiding life since leaving prison and needed a break to achieve his dream of joining the SEALs.. Skulduggery is Shawn Eckardt's passion. He had known Gillooly since they were in the first grade at school. It was 12.55am, Saturday 27 July 1996. Rather than focus on the 1994 attack, I, Tonya instead focuses greatly on Harding's upbringing and the backstory that led up to the unbelievable pre-Olympics controversy. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Smith was waiting in a car outside and acted as a getaway driver. Harding said she understood that. He remembered Gillooly saying he would pay more money if the plot happened. Multnomah County authorities arrest Eckardt and Smith, charging them with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault. [35], Shawn Eckardt first testified about parts of the attack plot on January 12, 1994. Gillooly's attorney, Ron Hoevet, accuses Harding of conspiracy and is roundly criticized by other attorneys. Nothing materializes. He lived for more than a decade after the infamous attack plunged him into the headlines. The New York Times, which announced his death, called him Brian Sean Griffith, which Eckardt changed his name to after getting out of prison. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Gillooly replied that it was too much and said he could pay $2,000. [12] Shane Stant later testified that Harding was part of staging the death threat against herself. Gillooly said he paid Eckardt while Harding was in another room having coffee with Eckardt's mother. Harding's mother, LaVona, said she opposed the marriage: "I knew Jeff had a violent streak [] he tried to break down the door because he thought [Tonya] had gone out with another boy. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley. O.J. In I, Tonya, Tonya's life as a one-time star of . That Eckardt inflated his credentials is undeniable. Ten days later, Harding's lawyer asked the restraining order to be lifted because the couple again wished to reconcile. "[22] In summer 1991, she became engaged to mechanical engineer Mike Pliska. [30][38] On December 27, Harding phoned her friend Vera Marano, a Pennsylvania figure skating writer, saying she and Gillooly had a "bet" about where Nancy Kerrigan trained. But both reportedly have been implicated by confessions made by Eckardt and Shane Stant, the alleged hit man. [38] Stant, thinking Kerrigan would still be training at the arena, frequented the parking lot for two days and relocated his car every half hour. It's been nearly 20 years since Kerrigan was clubbed after practice in Detroit by a member of a bumbling goon squad hired by Harding's ex-husband with the hope of eliminating his former wife's top competition for the U.S. Olympic team. In reality, the. It really is a miracle, and she really is very happy.". Harding spoke about the moment she realised the American people were going to find out the truth behind the attack. July 11, 1994: Eckardt is sentenced to 18 months in prison. Before the Olympics, a man emerged from the shadows and struck her in the knee, leading to Kerrigans famous and plaintive cry: Why? Mark Eckardt Found 18 people in California, Illinois and 17 other states. He wouldnt cut anybody. Tonya Harding's bodyguard Shawn Eckardt (Paul Walter Hauser) made international headlines when he sat down with Diane Sawyer. Harding hired Eckardt as her bodyguard because his resume indicated he was an expert in counterin-telligence and international terrorism, graduated from an According to Gillooly, Harding replied, "Let's do it. [62] On January 15, Harding and Gillooly spoke with reporters, but declined to comment about the investigation. Jan. 18, 1994: Harding separates from Gillooly after meeting with investigators for more than 10 hours. 1476 (D. Or. [30] Gillooly assured her Eckardt knew people who could carry out the attack, and they could abort the plot if they did not like Eckardt's plan. "But unless you really know him, you don't how deep that rabbit . On August 25th I will attempt the Block Island Challenge. He knew his nephew, Shane Stant, was currently unemployed so Smith told him about his conversation with Eckardt. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. [35] He said that in early December 1993, Harding phoned him after the 1993 NHK Trophy competition and was upset about her placement. [6][7] Later, both a grand jury[8] and a disciplinary panel from the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA)[9] found further evidence of Harding's involvement during the planning and execution phases. In mid-December 1993, Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the competition. Gillooly said he could pay $6,500 for this plan and wanted to know what they could do. Claire Ferguson, president of the USFSA, decided not to suspend Harding's membership before a hearing took place. The hitman was Shane. [38], He arrived at 11 a.m. to the meeting held at Eckardt's home office, knocking on the door with Stant letting him in. Eckardt did not know where exactly Stant was and told Gillooly that Smith needed more money. Gillooly said he felt "pretty good" about the meeting and thought Smith was competent. [38], Shortly after Eckardt had spoken on the phone with Derrick Smith, he visited Gillooly and Harding at their home and quoted $4,500 to execute the plot. Simpson led police on the most-watched car chase in history. Harding initially denied all knowledge of the attack,[4][5] but soon accepted a plea agreement admitting to helping cover up the attack after the fact. Shane Stant Today: Where Is the Nancy Kerrigan Attacker Now? They're a warm-up act for the night's main event, pitting Mike Tyson against Clifford Etienne at The Pyramid arena in Memphis, Tenn.a"Tyson wins with a powerhouse punch, knocking out Etienne in 49 seconds. Gillooly and Eckardt both claimed that Harding was involved in the attack and had knowledge of it beforehand. When asked about her finances, Harding said she had one bank account which was currently $109 overdrawn. The film stars Margot Robbie (who also produced the film), Sebastian Stan, and Julianne Nicholson. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, Harding, still under investigation by Oregon authorities, finishes eighth, Harding pleads guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution. "[a] This footage was later broadcast around the world in news programs. [78], On March 16, Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution as a Class C felony offense at a Multnomah County court hearing. Harding said that Gillooly phoned her one hour later asking her to pick him up. Gillooly said only her right leg needed to be disabled, her landing leg; he claimed to have previously verified this with Harding. 2007, Eckardt passed away in Portland, Oregon, at just 40 years old. But the year began with headlines and newscasts, tabloids and talk shows blaring one name familiar to Oregonians: Tonya Harding -- good girl gone bad. [30] According to Gillooly, Eckardt then wondered aloud what would happen if Nancy Kerrigan were to receive a threat. TV Shows. The questions are being debated by lawyers and law-enforcement officials as the investigation continues. He was 40. Death. [30] She was also asked about her relationship with Gillooly and replied she still considered him her husband. He then phoned Harding asking her to pick him up. Formerly Shawn Eckardt, Griffith had changed his name since the attack. 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. We've played chess together.". Eckardt plays an important role in the movie I, Tonya, and that's because he played a big part in the investigation that followed Kerrigan's assault. Gillooly first stated that the gun had fired when he was carrying it. Eckardt then set up the attack on Kerrigan with a hit man, Shane Stant, and Derrick Smith, Stant's uncle. Further investigation revealed that Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt had paid Stant $6,500 to eliminate Kerrigan from Olympic consideration. Griffith died . Movies. [20] They married on March 18, 1990. When Kerrigan hosted Saturday Night Live in 1994 after the Winter Olympics in which the figure skater ended up winning the silver medal Chris Farley and Rob Schneider parodied Eckardt and Gillooly, respectively. It could not be confirmed if Gillooly wrote the letter, however. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The biographical black comedy was directed by Craig Gillespie using a screenplay by Steven Rogers. 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