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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sweat Lodge Victim's Family Holds Ray Responsible
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The daughter of a Prior Lake woman who died after an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony said she wants the man who led it behind bars.
Authorities are investigating the Oct. 8 ceremony at a retreat near Sedona, Ariz., led by motivational speaker James Arthur Ray. Three participants died and 18 were hospitalized after the sweat lodge ceremony.
"I would like to honestly see him behind bars. I think that what he did was negligent and resulted in the deaths of three people," Liz Neuman's daughter, Andrea Puckett, told KARE-TV in Minneapolis. "I would like to see him not doing his work anymore, I don't think he should do this to other people."
The family intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Ray soon. Ray's attorney, Brad Brian, told The Associated Press that all the participants were fully informed of the health risks that could be posed by sweat lodges — and said Ray was not responsible for the design or maintenance of the lodge in question.
"None of this changes the reality that this was a terrible accident, but we hope everyone will resist a rush to judgment until all of the facts are known," Brian said.
Neuman, 49, died more than a week after the ceremony at a Flagstaff hospital. The other two victims died at a hospital the night of the ceremony: Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y., and James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee.
In all, between 55 and 65 people took part in the sweat lodge ceremony, the highlight of a five-day program at the private retreat near Sedona. Participants and law enforcement officials previously told The Associated Press that the two-hour ceremony degenerated into chaos as people became sick, but were encouraged by Ray to stay inside for the entire time.
Neuman's relatives said she faithfully followed the teachings of Ray, an author whose "Spiritual Warrior" program encouraged participants to realize their potential. Puckett said her mother, who had attended previous retreats led by Ray, had become a leader in his organization.
"She always comes back rejuvenated and ready to tackle life," Puckett said. But, she added, her mother "trusted Mr. Ray to lead the sweat lodge appropriately."
She said Ray didn't call the family until a day after her mother died.
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