The Marshall County Coal Company et al v. Oliver et al

Filing 21

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Robert E. Murray, Murray Energy Corporation, The Harrison County Coal Company, The Marion County Coal Company, The Marshall County Coal Company, The Monongalia County Coal Company, The Ohio County Coal Company. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Law in Support, # 2 Affidavit - Heather Santini, # 3 Affidavit - John Klayko, # 4 Affidavit - Robert E. Murray)(kac) (Motion was filed in Marshall County Circuit Court on 6/28/2017) (Judge Bailey's Chambers Notified)

Case 5:17-cv-00099-JPB Document 21-4 Filed 06/30/17 Page 1 of 3 PageID #: 908

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARSHALL COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
THE MARSHALL COUNTY COAL COMPANY, et al.
Plaintiffs,
Civil Action No.:
JOHN OLIVER, et a!.

Judge:

I 7-C-l24

Cramer

Defendants.
AFFIDAVIT OF ROBERT E. MURRAY

(

I, ROBERT 13. MURRAY, being duly sworn, state as follows:
I.

I make this Affidavit based on personal knowledge and the facts attested to in this

Affidavit are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
2.

1 am 77 years old, I have been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a

chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal disease of the lungs which impairs my ability to
oxygenate my bloodstream. My doctors have told me that, as a result of this disease, my life
expectancy is significantly reduced, to approximately two years, absent aggravating factors that
could shorten it further.
3.

I rely on an oxygen tank to survive and my doctors have told me that 1 need a

transplant to replace both of my lungs. My doctors have also told me to reduce my stress,
because significant stress could exacerbate my pulmonary fibrosis, further damage my heart and
lungs, and further shorten my life.
4.

The John Oliver Show segment about me that aired on June 18, 2017 has resulted

in one of the most stressful periods of my life, perhaps exceeded only by the tragedy of the
collapse of the Crandall Canyon Mine in 2007.

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5.

The things that were said about me and the way I was mocked and lied about in

front of millions of people was a terrible thing that I would not wish on anyone. To know that
the world has been falsely sent the message that you are a villain and that you should be laughed
and despised would be a hard thing for anyone. And then to receive emails and phone calls filled
with hate, even wishing death upon me, is even more difficult to bear, as it would be for anyone.
6.

Given that I was falsely portrayed to the world as a despicable man, and in light

of all the hate that has been spewed at me since, I fear for my safety. I have increased my
personal security measures, but I do not feel that I can be made safe when I do not know who
among the anonymous millions that have seen that show are the ones that wished me harm or
may actually harm me.
7.

I have also had increased trouble breathing. While 1 relied heavily on my oxygen

tank before the show, this week I have had to increase the oxygen flow settings to 6.5 liters per
minute, well above what was necessary for me to lIrnction previously. Since the show, I have
also had to use my oxygen tank nearly full-time, with only short breaks. I recently appeared on
Fox Business and had to keep my oxygen close, inhaling oxygen right up to the time of airing

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and then immediately after.
8.

1 have also been unable to work at the same level I could before the show. Unlike

before, I now have had no choice but to cut meetings short so I can lie down and rest.
9.

This past week, when I arrived home from work, I could barely put one foot in

front of the other.
AFFIANT FURTHER SAYETH NAUGHT.

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