James Arthur Ray wants new trial in sweat lodge deaths
By FELICIA FONSECA, Associated Press
CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (AP) - Attorneys for a self-help author convicted of negligent homicide want a new trial based on what they say was a pattern of prosecutorial misconduct.
Prosecutors say any errors they made during James Arthur Ray's trial were unintentional and did not affect the jury's verdict.
The two sides are set to outline their arguments before a judge Tuesday in Camp Verde.
The defense submitted its motion for a new trial in mid-July, weeks after a jury found Ray guilty of three counts of negligent homicide. Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman died following a sweat lodge ceremony Ray led near Sedona in October 2009.
Ray's attorneys say he was deprived of his constitutional rights, while prosecutors say the record doesn't support the defense allegations.
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