Created Sun 11th Oct 2009 6:54pm PST by

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,723,974)

Will anyone be criminally charged in connection with the Arizona sweat lodge deaths?

Settled as Yes

"Self-help guru James Ray was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury indictment charging him with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of three participants at an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony he organized last year."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/03/arizona.sweat.lodge.charges/index.html?hpt=T1

Background:

Background: A 38-year-old New York woman who died after sitting in a sauna-like sweat lodge at a scenic Arizona resort was an avid surfer and hiker who was "in top shape," took self-improvement seriously and had a passion for art, a family spokesman said.

Kirby Brown of Westtown, N.Y., was one of two people who died Thursday evening after being overcome in the crudely built hut during a spiritual cleansing ceremony. Authorities on Saturday identified the other victim as 40-year-old James Shore of Milwaukee, who served as director of business development at an Internet marketing company in his hometown.

Nineteen other people were taken to hospitals, suffering from burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest, kidney failure or elevated body temperature. Most were soon released, but one remained in critical condition Saturday.

Brown had no pre-existing health conditions that would have kept her from participating in an otherwise safe activity, said cousin and family spokesman Tom McFeeley. That two people died and 19 others became ill at the Angel Valley Retreat Center indicates that "something went horribly wrong."

Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh said Saturday that his detectives were focusing on self-help expert and author James Arthur Ray and his staff as they try to determine if criminal negligence played a role. Waugh said Ray refused to speak with authorities and has since left the state.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/11/national/main5377290.shtml?tag=topnews

So will anyone be charged criminally regarding the deaths, hospitalizations or somehow otherwise directly connected to the construction, operation or use of the sweat lodge? Civil construciton code violations will not count, nor will other civil legal action (i.e. law suit by families).

Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source. No news will settle as no at settlement date. May settle immediately upon news of criminal charges. Settlement date may only be adjusted if there is news that a grand jury is still investigating the matter, in which case a maximum 3 month extension will be allowed.

Forecast history %

Yes

78%

22%

Settled as Yes on Wed 3rd Feb 6:44pm PST

Activity: H$82,774
Predictions: 70
Comments: 7

Suspend date: Sun 11th Apr 11:59pm PST (2 weeks to go)
Settlement date: Wed 3rd Feb 6:44pm PST

Initial likelihoods: Yes: 30%

Action history:

Created Sun 11th Oct 2009 6:54pm PST by

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,723,974)

Settlement requested Wed 3rd Feb 4:15pm PST by

lola

: FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Leader of fatal Arizona sweat lodge ceremony arrested on 3 manslaughter charges.

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/motivational-speaker-charged-in-290558.html

Settlement requested Wed 3rd Feb 4:49pm PST by

stepher Level 12, Guru (H$31,424)

: On breaking news.... http://www.cnn.com/

Suspended Wed 3rd Feb 5:59pm PST by

mrperfkt [Admin]

: Suspended pending settlement

Settlement requested Wed 3rd Feb 5:59pm PST by

mrperfkt [Admin]

: Looks like I lost H$3000 :(

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100204/ap_on_re_us/us_sweat_lodge_deaths (market suspended)

Settled as 'Yes' Wed 3rd Feb 6:44pm PST by

sqlman [Admin]

: "Self-help guru James Ray was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury indictment charging him with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of three participants at an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony he organized last year."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/03/arizona.sweat.lodge.charges/index.html?hpt=T1

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Suspend date: Sun 11th Apr 11:59pm PST (2 weeks to go)
Settlement date: Wed 3rd Feb 6:44pm PST details

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Predictions (70)

7 weeks ago

mrperfkt [Admin]

predicted No (H$1,000 at 20%)

8 weeks ago

point0507 Level 14, Prophet (H$103,878)

predicted No (H$50 at 23%)

8 weeks ago

mrperfkt [Admin]

predicted No (H$2,000 at 18%)

10 weeks ago

shutupandeatyourcoal Level 6, Player (H$2,176)

predicted Yes (H$100 at 89%)

19 weeks ago

bigken1 Level 15, Seer (H$405,067)

predicted Yes (H$100 at 87%)

Comments (7)

imantsdimants Level 16, Oracle (H$533,495)

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/oct/15/sedona-sweat-lodge-native-american

"The sweat lodge is considered the womb of the Mother Earth, a living being, so it must breathe in order for it to participate in the ceremony.
News accounts out of Sedona indicate that New Age self-help expert James Arthur Ray's sweat lodge was covered in plastic sheeting.
As I have tracked the news stories and anecdotes of sweat lodge deaths and near-disasters, every one of them was covered with plastic sheeting or plastic tarps."

posted 22 weeks ago

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,723,974)

"I can't get her to move. I can't get her to wake up," Bunn recalled hearing from two sides of the 415-square-foot sweat lodge. Ray's response: "Leave her alone, she'll be dealt with in the next round."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33415987/ns/us_news-life/

I don't know how low the bar is for criminally negligent homocide or reckless endangerment is in Arizona, but surely his utter disregard for the welfare of folks under his guidance would speak loudly to a jury if it gets that far.

posted 21 weeks ago

slidypete Level 3, Apprentice (H$1,163)

When I read the definitions of criminal negligence, hegligent homicide, and reckless endangerment, and I read the accounts of people in the lodge and hear Shawna Brown's experience of arriving on the scene afterwards, it is difficult to see any other lens. He appears to have been completely ignorant of or intentionally ignoring signs of dehydration and lack of oxygen, not to mention the basics of how to run a sweat lodge. I read that he made this statement at his 2008 sweat lodge (where 20 people also got sick): "You will not die. You may feel like you will die, but you will not." I wonder if he repeated that statement this year.

posted 21 weeks ago

slidypete Level 3, Apprentice (H$1,163)

oh now I read the paragraph on "settling." Of course he will try to settle. But could he settle with the families, but still have the sheriff's office prosecute?

posted 21 weeks ago

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,723,974)

Sure. The Sheriff's office has an obligation to enforce state criminal law. The families have the option of filing a civil claim or not, but it's a choice either way for them.

posted 20 weeks ago

lola

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Leader of fatal Arizona sweat lodge ceremony arrested on 3 manslaughter charges.

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/motivational-speaker-charged-in-290558.html

posted 6 weeks ago

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,723,974)

Wow, a long time in coming, but from the stories I've read, well deserved.

posted 6 weeks ago