Over two years after the sweat lodge tragedy, James Arthur Ray was (finally) sentenced today. You may remember that James Arthur Ray conducted a “Spiritual Warrior” seminar in Sedona, Arizona where Kirby Brown, age 38, James Shore, age 40, and Liz Neuman, age 49, died following his “sweat lodge ceremony”. The trial began in March of this year and lasted well into June.
On June 22, 2011, an Arizona jury of eight men and four women took eight hours to find James Ray GUILTY of three counts of NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE.
It is now November 18, 2011 and Judge Darrow finally gave James Ray his sentence: 3 two-year terms to run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $57,514.12 to the victims' families and pay a fine of $20,000.
The sentencing hearing began today with the Victim Impact Statements. As you can image, hearing from the family members of the victims was heart breaking. From accounts of people who were in the courtroom today, James Ray kept his eyes focused ahead, not looking at the families.
The most gut-wrenching statements came from Kirby Brown’s mother and father. Ginny Brown spoke directly to James Ray much of the time and her testimony took her on an emotional rollercoaster. Her most memorable statements were:
"I believe you've helped many people Mr. Ray."
"My daughter did not CHOOSE to go unconscious in a tent..."
"He (James Ray) saw unconscious people being dragged out in front of him and did nothing!""
"Why Kirby?"- Ginny asked another participant "She was just forgotten."
"Please take him (James Ray) off the market. Please!"
"Does he (James Ray) still not realize that it was TOO DAMN HOT. When there was chaos he was impotent and did nothing!"
"Kirby played full on her entire life!"
The statement I will remember the most, however, came from Kirby Brown’s father, George Brown:
"I had to go pick up her (Kirby’s) ashes. I carried her in my arms once again."
He described James Ray as "the killer guru who is harmonically bankrupt".
James Arthur Ray was given the opportunity to make a statement to the Judge and victims’ families. He apologized through tears and spoke a lot about how the last two years had affected him. I think it is safe to say many people believe it was “too little, too late”.
Judge Darrow said that he believed he (James Ray) was helping people and people believed they were being helped. He also said that it's not likely James Ray would present a danger to society; however, the victims’ trust was violated.
James Ray was allowed to sit back down at the defendant’s table after he received his sentencing- unlike Dr. Conrad Murray who was handcuffed immediately and taken away following the trial of Michael Jackson. The cameras were shut off before James Ray was led off to prison.
My wish is for the victims’ families to begin to heal from this tragedy. I wish them happiness, love, and laughter. They were the brave ones today!
THANKYOU for taking the time to read my article! I hope that you took away some bit of wisdom or new idea.
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