Sweat Lodge Probe Includes Hundreds Of Interviews

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — An investigation into the deaths of three people who were overcome at a sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona is expected to be forwarded to prosecutors next month.

Until then, Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh says his office will have no further comment.

Authorities are treating the deaths as homicides and say self-help guru James Arthur Ray is the primary focus of their probe. Others also are being investigated.

Ray led the sweat lodge ceremony on Oct. 8 as part of his five-day "Spiritual Warrior" retreat near Sedona. Ray says he's hired his own investigative team to determine what went wrong.

Waugh says investigators are working diligently on hundreds of interviews with people who were involved in the retreat or any of Ray's past events.

Comments

[jimtasks]

This website is looking for people who have experience with James Arthur Ray or JRI

http://sweatlodgeinvestigation.com/

[KIVPossum]

I want to see him exposed and put out of business. But can not see a homocide in it. From my understanding the people walked in voluntarily and were not held against their will.

[Dhammi]

More than 18 people in a sweat lodge is criminal in itself. Every native American I have asked about this agreed. Usually there are about 15 participants in a small (womb) lodge. What was JAR thinking? My guess is $$$$$$$$$$­$$$$$$$$$$­$. He was the 'leader' - he has to take responsibility.

[Nishnabe]

Folks, Couple of things to consider. The only real legal precedent for criminal charges is child neglect when parents refuse treatment to their children because of religious beliefs. But these were adults who willingly entered the sweat house. The other thing is the corruption of native beliefs as only being about "the spiritual warrior," the margin or boundary of human endurance as being the source of enlightenment. Homicide requires intent, or neglect, and the point of Ray's corruption of native philosophy is to push the limits of human ability to withstand the "rituals" he runs. Prosecutors would have to prove that he was doing the ceremony wrong, and knew it was a corruption of native ways. Don't get me wrong, he deserves to be exposed and prosecuted, but it will be a tough row to hoe.

[WarOnErrorism]

CRAZY. Some of these people paid at least $10,000 for a life changing experience courtesy of this guy who must be extremely charismatic if nothing else. There IS good news for the rest of you who don't have $10,000 to transform your life via an expensive retreat to a sweat lodge in Sedona. I have decided to reveal an ancient secret passed down through many generations: we call it "the herb." The rules are simple, "puff, puff, pass." Watch your troubles melt away as you soon understand life via the magical view brought to you by the finest cannabis. Not crazy enough? Smoke it up and watch Baraka. :-)

[bulfinch]

No one can say it wasn't life-changing for the 18.

[WarOnErrorism]

TOUCHE :-)

[jan4insight]

I can't wait until they indict him!

[f0rTyLeGz]

Charismatic leaders of cults are responsible for their sheep!