Prosecutors seek gag order in sweat lodge case
Attorneys for a motivational speaker charged in the deaths of three people during an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony wasted no time going on the offensive after his arrest last week.
James Arthur Ray's lawyers appeared on "Larry King Live" and granted interviews to other national media outlets to counter prosecution claims that he was responsible for the deaths at a ceremony he led in October.
The push didn't go unnoticed, with prosecutors filing a request for a case gag order that has yet to be ruled on.
Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk argued the order would limit pretrial publicity that could taint the jury pool. She wants the order to include Ray's employees, his attorneys and their staff, staff and attorneys in the county attorney's office and employees of the county sheriff's office.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"Nothing is more vital to a just and accurate outcome of this case than ensuring that the evidence is presented in a venue controlled by the rules of evidence rather than in the court of public opinion," Polk wrote in her request.
Ray's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. They said in court documents that they would file a formal response this week.
They also asked that the prosecutors' motion be heard Friday, when they also plan to argue for a reduced bail.
Ray faces three counts of manslaughter and is being held at in a Yavapai County jail on a $5 million bond. His attorneys have called the deaths a tragic accident and said Ray is not guilty.
Prosecutors contend Ray recklessly crammed more than 50 participants of his "Spiritual Warrior" event into a 415-square-foot sweat lodge and chided them for wanting to leave, even as people were vomiting, getting burned by hot rocks and lying on the ground.
Public records show a pattern of illnesses at Ray-led events that he largely ignored. If convicted, Ray faces up to 12½ years on each count of manslaughter with probation being an option.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)