Here's another comment from the WSJ with focus on the vexed question of how much government regulation is required or necessary to prevent the likes of JAR killing his customers. It is of interest as I understand the latest Native American legal effort to protect their ceremonies from such exploitation has recently failed.

[sedonacityofrefugees.blogspot.com]


'A number of Native Americans from around the country attended the Ray trial--some for just a few hours, others attended every court session. Native Americans formed a group called the Eagle Feather Council and were the first to sue Ray over his incorrect use of the sweat lodge that caused three people to die. The suit asked for $5 million that was to be distributed to the Native American Ceremonial Educational Fund. '


The WSJ article highlights the difficulties of making legislation for this area finishing with a quote:

[online.wsj.com]

" Americans ought to take guidance from what Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson wrote in 1944: "The price of freedom of religion . . . is that we must put up with, and even pay for, a good deal of rubbish."


I guess we are entitled to expect that 'a good deal of rubbish' is not interpreted as carte blanche to visit death and destruction on your paying customers trusting bodies and minds.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2011 12:57AM by Stoic.

And a splendidly sarcastic round-up from Anorak about the New Age Nimrod, James Ray, which reveals the surprising gossip that prior to the sweat-tent debacle both Larry King and Oprah were tussling over who was to give JAR his own prime-time TV show to spread his gospel of Harmonic BS.

So that explains the resounding silence from that quarter, they were both holding their breaths at such a narrow escape from backing completely the wrong Nimrod. (Nimrod had a bit of a reputation as an apostate: [en.wikipedia.org])

[www.anorak.co.uk]

Well, another mistrial motion is on the books, not yet ruled on. This one concerns the disputed tape, which was entered into evidence. Ms Polk has said that she played a one minute bit in the aggravation hearing that was not played previously in court, which strictly speaking she should not have done without specifying that it was a bit previously unheard by the court.

The defence has requested a vacation of the July 25 sentencing date, with no alternative date suggested.
Common delaying tactics, there, I think.

More on the mistrial motion:

[www.dcourier.com]

Ninety eight pages, read them (or not, if you value your brain cells), ---98 pages of the defence attempt to spend more of the Arizona tax-payers money in boring us to oblivion by demanding a new trial for James Ray.

[apps.supremecourt.az.gov]

They must know where he has stashed the remaining cash and have determined to siphon off the last drop with their endless flogging of a dead horse. Or perhaps it is an attempt to drag this out forever, in the hope that the cumulative attrition will cause the world to lose interest and let DeathRay walk to scam another day.

The prosecution is now on trial, according to the defence team, wasn't that the OJ strategy in an otherwise unwinnable case?
It seems that they are after a mistrial, with retrial barred as the best outcome for the currently convicted felon.

There are rumours that the July 25th date has been vacated for a date in mid-August, but as yet no confirmation. The judge probably needs a holiday to brace himself before tackling this 98 page whinge about what a victim of the 'gubment' poor old Mr Ray is.

Funny, that, how the dead and injured people seem to have got lost in the shuffle of playing 'who's the victim here.'



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2011 02:01PM by Stoic.

"Judge delays sentencing in sweat lodge deaths case," from the WSJ.

[online.wsj.com]



'Defense lawyers representing James Arthur Ray have said they need more time to gather evidence that could help lessen Ray's sentence.'


Obviously, not enough of those 'testimoanials' coming in attesting to the great spititual good that DeathRay and the 'contributions to society' that he has made.

Perhaps most of his customers are doing the math and concluding that the thou$ands they shoved in his direction haven't shown much return on investment----apart from the humiliation of being conned, the deaths and countless injuries, the people whose fragile sense of self-worth was so thoroughly undermined in the interests of JAR buying himself a mansion in Beverly Hills and a hot-shot (?) legal team from LA.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2011 08:42PM by Stoic.

SD(author) has a legal degree. His take on the retrial:

[saltydroid.info]



SD (author) said:
The retrial thing is dumb. There has been a pending motion for some kind of dismissal for two years. And likewise :: they’ve used every available stall tactic. That was the plan … that remains the plan.

This motion … like all the rest … is not really worth talking about.

Personally though :: I’d take the retrial. The second trial could be half again as long … and they’d get the manslaughter convictions.

And hey maybe for the second trial we could get a judge capable of comprehending that seizures :: unconsciousness :: and punching people … are all signs of imminent risk of death.

~~~~~

'It’s like the trial has already been focused grouped … second trials are always way better.

Blagojevich.'



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2011 08:48PM by Stoic.

Here's a quick round-up on the sentencing from an Arizonan blogger: 'Whats Next for Guru James Arthur Ray'


[camillekimball.blogspot.com]

DeathRay himself obviously thinks he's in with a chance of 'business as usual' as after a three week hiatus he is back on twitter rallying the troops to the Harmonic BS cause.

[twitter.com]:

'Mastery is the willingness to embrace both pleasure and pain in the pursuit of purpose'

In his case though it only ever involves his pleasure and others pain.

James Arthur Ray - i used to call him Arnold - anyway since he has lost favor,
his form assocaite, Micahel Beckwith (Agape International our of L.A.) is now joining up
with next Yogi Bhajan wann-be - Joseph Michael Levry.

Marta, on the other thread you mentioned someone appearing at a summer solstice event---where you referring to James Ray making an appearance or was it the other guy?