Tuesday the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office released new police reports about the James Arthur Ray death lodge that took place in the beginning of October, 2009. For those of you that want to know the quick version – The reports do not have a whole lot of new information but rather confirm again and again my original reports of what transpired at the 2009 Spiritual Warrior retreat.
This is a perfect example of why accusations of “sensationalism” and other such nonsense do not worry me. You see, there is a lot of evidence. I’ve always thought the cops were on to James Ray, and every detail they release has done nothing but support that. While it’s nice to be backed up and proved time and again, what I really want to see are the reports taken after employees started fleeing the rapidly sinking James Ray International ship. It is said that after a ship wreck drowned victims can be found with gashes and scrapes from where other drowning people climbed up them to the surface. I rather suspect we will see a similar phenomenon with JRI employees.
The thing about the reports is this – there are a lot of them, like over a hundred. There is just no way I can condense that into one article. I’m not even going to try. Just to give you an idea of how much material we are talking about, I am only using about the first fifteen or so reports for this article.
The first thing of note I stumbled on was mention of a reporter who had snuck into the crime scene by wearing a matching Camp Verde Fire shirt and hat. "the owner [of Angel Valley] came by with a white male subject who was wearing a blue Verde Valley Fire t-shirt and matching ball cap. I had seen the subject walking through taking photographs, assuming that he worked for the Fire Dept. The property owner said that the man was an independent press photographer. The man confirmed this and said that he was leaving the property. I informed Sgt. Barbaro and Lt. Parkison of this. Lt. Parkison had been on scene for some time at this point. He ordered that the photographer be stopped and arrested for criminal impersonation. The subject was located by Sgt. Barbaro and Dep. Sutton. He was handcuffed, placed into the back of Dep. Sutton's patrol car and his cameras were taken into custody and placed into my patrol vehicle."
It’s probably a good thing I’m three-thousand miles away from Sedona, because it keeps me from having to do such risky sneaking. Of course, I probably wouldn’t have wondered around like a suspicious dolt taking pictures of everything either. I’m pretty sure Rule #1 of sneaking is “Don’t get noticed by the cops”.
Another bit I found illuminating was the report from the cop who retrieved James Ray for questioning. I’m sure I must’ve mentioned it before, but James Ray has certain patterns when dealing with opposition. One of his tactics is playing stupid and as you can see, he does it well.
"Lt. Parkison later arrived on scene. He asked me to locate James Ray and bring him down to the sweat lodge area. Deputy Sutton told me Mr. Ray was the one in charge of the group and he needed to answer some questions. The owner of the retreat grounds took me to where Mr. Ray was located. He was in his room which was located near the mess hall. Mr. Ray was in the middle of eating and I told him he needed to come to the site and answer some questions. He asked me ‘right now’ and I told him yes now. He asked if ‘Joshua’ was down at the site and if he could answer any questions we might have. He was referring to Joshua Fredrickson. I told him we needed him and asked him again to come down to the site. He put on some pants and followed me part way to the golf cart. He asked if he was going to be answering questions for a while and I told him he probably was. He then went back to his room and got his jacket. He then went with me to the site where he was contacted by Lt. Parkison."
So, just to reiterate, at this point there were two dead participants and twenty or so others who were sick or injured and James Ray was lounging around without pants, eating lunch. I know, y’all probably think I’m going to go on and on about what a stupid question “right now?” is when James Ray had just killed two people, mortally injured a third, and sent twenty or so others to the hospital, but I’m not. I’m actually going to snicker and make a crude joke about whether or not the officer could actually see the herpes on James Ray while waiting for him to put on some pants.
There were several different participants who worked in the medical field and one doctor reported “she only knew there was a nurse there because earlier that day someone offered to have a nurse look at a shoulder injury” Does that make anyone else wonder how a shoulder injury occurred? Also, while we’re on the subject, James Ray did not hire a nurse on purpose. My understanding of things is that one of James Ray’s employees just so happened to be formerly employed as a nurse, just like some of his participants just so happened to be doctors.
Many of the witness reports had the same material over and over again – the death lodge put participants in an altered state of mind, most participants had no idea it was an emergency until they were outside the structure, the people who did know made sure James Ray and staff knew as well, etc. Even the most pro-James Ray statements either admitted James Ray did nothing, or they say things that can be flat out disproved (like claims that there were safety measures in place for instance, or that nothing like this had ever happened before, etc).
The reports also contain this little nugget of wisdom from James Ray, "if they let go and had their experience then they would have their experience." I’ll let you figure out what the heck that means on your own.
One participant reported blood pressure at 89/47, which is extremely low from what I understand, and that was at the hospital when they were already feeling better.
Another thing a lot of pro-James Ray (or at least not anti-James Ray) statements had in common was the long list of previous James Ray seminars they had attended. Beverly Bunn stood out from the beginning and I suspect part of the reason she was able to realize what was going on so quick was because she had only participated in the Harmonic Wealth Weekend. Here are some highlights of Beverly’s statement.
"At approximately 1045 hours, Beverly returned my call. She said she is very anxious to talk to me because after the conference call she feels she may be one of the few participants that remembered what happened."
"I asked how Beverly was doing and she said she is very frustrated because after the conference call all the other participants are not talking, or saying they do not remember. Beverly said during the conference call they were directed to only talk to people within the organization. Beverly said they had a person on the call that had no credentials but volunteered as a grief counselor. Beverly indicated that it was all very distressing."
"Beverly said she did not know anything about sweat lodges. No one asked health questions or obtained any health information from anyone participating. The only medical supplies they had on hand was a box with ace bandages and gauzes."
“"James Ray closed the door and led them in a chant. James Ray told them certain Gods were at the different gates and watching over them. She said he spoke in a different language she did not understand." Oh, good. I’ve been just hoping we could add ‘speaking in tongues’ to the list of weird crap James Ray has done.
"Beverly said during the 6th round was when things became really bad. At this time I could hear Beverly begin to cry. During this round she heard people saying so and so is not breathing and so and so won't move or respond. Beverly told me it was then a woman was drug out and appeared to be unconscious. No one else was taken out, but a few left on their own. They closed the flap starting the 7th round. It was then someone said, ‘she's not breathing; I can't get her to move’. James Ray said, ‘doors down; we will deal with it later’. Someone said, ‘I can't take it, I am hurting’. James Ray then told them to quiet down he said, ‘I'm the one talking now’. Everyone seemed to quiet and Beverly said she was concentrating on getting through. The door came open and James Ray invited everyone who had left to come back in for the last round."
"Beverly said she tried to get up and was told to sit back down. That was when she looked at Sydney [Spencer] who was still unconscious. Beverly said Sydney's eyes were rolled back in her head and she had drainage coming from her mouth and nose and was barely breathing. Beverly said she told [the other doctor/participant] they need medical help here. Beverly said she and the doctor were putting cold water on Sydney, trying to get her temperature down." the doctor then left to do CPR on Kirby and James.
"Beverly said she felt people had been brain washed."
"Beverly said she really wants everyone to know that all the participants who attended were really good people who were searching for something they thought they could find with James Ray. She said many people there had things inside them they were trying to let go of." I’m so glad Beverly keeps bringing that up, because it’s really important to remember that these are intelligent, educated, and even affluent members of our society.
"Forty one people shaved their heads to show they are willing to play full out. It was determined many participants were sleep deprived, their diets were messed with by eating a vegetarian diets, they were drinking a lot of water, and given sea salt to take a teaspoon each day. Beverly described several rounds of meditation that involved what she called breath work James Ray showed them. She felt what he showed them was hyperventilating to the point of causing visions. Beverly added that this went on for two hours with very loud music playing. Beverly said James Ray talked often about an altered state of mind. He explained that by depriving their bodies it would give them the best experience. Beverly said she had never been in such a scene where so many people were in such trouble."
Another participant talks of training for this event [Spiritual Warrior] all summer. I can’t help but wonder exactly what one does to train for such an event. Feel free to leave ideas in the comments.
A participant who was at the hottest part of the death lodge reports the following:
"After Sidney [Spencer] was taken out, James (Shore) came back in and took that spot so now it is James and Kirby (Brown) to her left. They went another round and someone said something about Kirby, she believes it was James (Shore). The participant said they decided to roll her over because she was on her back and gurgling. She said it was awful like there was fluid in her breathing, like a snotty nose and gurgling and she said it was alarming. She would not respond to roll over and James went to the other side of her trying to turn her. The participant said she took her feet while still trying to stay flat to get her up so she was no longer on her back. James was pulling on her arms and talking to her all the while she continued to gurgle. The participant said she and James were face down trying to get this done. She said the next time she saw Kirby she was now laying on her side and James was facing towards her up on his arm coaching her along and talking to her. She said at one time James opened the back so there was light, trying to get air. She said it was requested that he close it. She said he asked that Kirby needed to come out. The participant said at that point James Ray said nobody else can leave at this time."
"The participant remembers thinking James (Shore) was so incredible helping Kirby. She said James Shore did ask to have Kirby moved. She said James (Shore) just put it out there (the statement that Kirby needed assistance) in a matter of fact tone. She said it was late in the process and they were pretty weak. She thinks James Shore said, we need help over here. She believes James Ray said the ceremony was going to continue, that no one else can leave at this point we have to close the gate. She said the gate was open when she (Kirby) was having this problem. I asked if everyone else could see Kirby and she said she didn't know because Kirby was a person away from her."
This is where I fell asleep at my keyboard last night, sobbing over the loss of two people I will never have the chance to meet. All accounts indicate that James Shore knew exactly how dangerous it was to go back into the death lodge, but he did it anyway to try and save Kirby Brown. James Shore died a hero’s death while James Ray, one of the only able-bodied people left, didn’t lift a finger. James Shore was alive and talking right up until the end of the last round. He probably would have survived if he and Kirby hadn’t been left in the death lodge.
Again, this is only a fraction of the reports. I will be bringing more to you frequently and often as I go through them. Also, many of you have noticed James Ray is leaving flaming bags of crap on his website again, this time in the guise of something he refers to as “whitepapers”. They are a waste of time, featuring such arguments as ‘Well, no one has ever been criminally charged in a sweat lodge death before, so why start now?’ The answer, of course, is something along the lines of ‘because no one ever did it on purpose before, nitwit.’ If you desperately want a summary that cuts right to the heart of these whitepapers, please see this video explanation.
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Comments
Cassandra - had you had a chance to know James Shore - and he to know you - you would be fast friends. He was a deeply caring, loving, enchanting, funny, intelligent, and independent man.
I haven't cried since the day after I found out about his death... that is, until I read this piece of yours. We all loved him very, very much.
Cassandra,
You write well. Your sense of loss over two people you never met is touching, and anybody who can read this without shedding a tear of their own, well, they may be missing something.
Looking for your next installment...
Thank you, Cassandra, for shining a bright light on the heroes there that day, trying so hard to undo the damage Jimmie Ray inflicted. And no one was a greater hero than James Shore, who most likely lost his life in his efforts to save others. Such a shame that Mr. Shore thought Jimmie Ray could teach him anything worth learning... And such a joke that Jimmie Ray thought he could teach Mr. Shore anything worth knowing. Rest in peace James, Kirby, and Liz. You are all loved, cherished and remembered. And may Jimmie Ray rot in ---- well, you know...
Thank you AGAIN Cassandra you are working hard and spending alot of time for a great cause....you are taking the facts and weaving them in a time line that really brings it into focus.This guy is the most uncaring person I've ever heard...a true Sadist.People are being hauled off by the coroner,and hes chowing down after orchestrating the whole thing.And I imagine had quite a (sorry for crudeness)HARD ON for having pulled it off (maybe WHY his pants were off)Really worked up an appetite huh???Then as the story goes......(my version)he jumps in his golfcart and leaves the property and all his belongings behind!,and goes back to California!!!leaving Kirby and others to be admitted to the hospital as "JANE DOES" WHERE were the fredricksons after people were being put in medi vac helicopters,ambulances,HEARSES,they didnt give them their names,much less Hold their hands, whist they were loaded onto a gurney!ANY EVENT where there is a business transaction($9,000.)IS obligated to provide info
Amazing how James Ray was found by police, eating alone in his room, when all around him a catastrophe of his own making was unfolding. People were dead, dying and suffering profoundly and the sheriff's office had the gall to want to question him WHILE HE WAS EATING? Couldn't they wait until he was finished? Why didn't they take the brush-off and go talk to "Joshua" again. After all, just because he presided over death and serious injury requiring law enforcement, fire department, ambulances and air-ambulances... that doesn't give the deputy the right to interrupt the Master while he was taking care of participants in his own way; by feeding his face, isolated far away from the disaster he created.
Anyone who remotely gave a damn wouldn't have disappeared to his room to eat, rather he would have been on scene helping (for real) and comforting people, until the very last person left the scene, whether by ambulance or otherwise.
No jury will excuse this.
That's what gets me also..All the people that went to the hospital as John and Jane Does!! Poor Liz Neuman's daughter had to call around to the various hospitals to see if her Mother might be there as she had no word from her after the Sweat Lodge and only then after having to describe her Mother to everyone finally located her!!How awful is that to have to try find your own Mother in a circumstance like that.. Where was MR Wonderful at that time? He cared so much that he just left all those poor people to fend for themselves..
It's true, the other bloggers ARE jealous of how awesome y'all are, thanks for the comments ;)
According to Wikipedia ...
"A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that often addresses issues and how to solve them. White papers are used to educate readers and help people make decisions. They are often used in politics and business, and technical subjects. In commercial use, the term 'white paper' has also come to refer to documents used by businesses as a marketing or sales tool."
So, have these "white papers" ...
* addressed issues and how to solve them? I'm sure JRI and his minions thinks so; for the rest of us, no.
* educated readers and help people make decisions? Oh yeah; these papers clearly show the lengths JRI will go to be found completely blameless in this tragedy.
* been used by a business as a marketing or sales tool? Bingo! Case in point: pp. 4-5 in the "facts" section, Mr. Ray's background is discussed, (including the footnote stating that he's 5 hours short of a college degree - what a guy). This is followed by "JRI Programs and Philosophy."
Where are the interview transcripts posted? I would really like to read them directly. Thanks
Some of the things you have said are quite valid, however, you discredit yourself by not checking all the facts. It's too bad you don't have more important things to write about.
A section of the statement that Counsel to James Arthur Ray, has released:
"The facts are that Mr. Ray was not the one who was responsible for the design, construction or maintenance of the sweat lodge."
This is stated as if the sweat lodge itself was responsible for the deaths and injuries of the people inside of the lodge!!! What a cowardly and irresponsible statement to make!
Time and time again, James Ray proves the one and only thing he truly cares about. He could be helping the victims, the families, and making things right, but he's too busy wasting loads of money and time covering his own tail.
Small clarification: The nurse was a volunteer not a member of Ray's paid staff. According to the hilarious, disgraceful and incriminating "whitepapers" Ray especially agreed to let her volunteer because of her nurse qualifications. And she was specifically stationed outside the lodge. No one knew she was a nurse.
Actually the white papers show clearly that participants were expected to fend for themselves and for each other. They clearly state he didn't know anything was wrong, and argue that was not his job to know that people were dying right in front of him. It was dark after all. And he probably had his mind on that party they'd planned. And he'd missed lunch.
I noted one of the participants said she had done groups before with Ray and felt safe with him. She did the group in which Colleen Conaway died. I wonder if she would've done the death lodge if Ray and his team hadn't thrown a party instead of informing the group one of them was dead, and dealing with it properly.
Warrior you can find the links to the interviews over on Rick Ross Forum.Page 40 of the James Ray thread..
Some of us feel this is a very important subject and we are VERY glad that Cassandra has taken the time from her busy schedule to write about this. There are only about 4 or 5 sites to get good info on this subject.The ones I know about are, the Salty Droid(ya gotta love him,)The Examiner (Cassandra),Terry Hall at Bizsayer and at the Rick Ross Forum.Cosmic Connie also occasionally blogs on this subject also, as does Duff..
Hmmm, according to his Harmonic Wealth Book, pg 266: "Oxygen is the most important nutrient in the body. Think about it: You can go weeks without food, days without water, but only minutes without oxygen."
If only he could have remembered that while conducting the "sweat lodge"
Cassandra, you are my hero! I'm so glad to have found a legitimate archive with updates regarding this Scandal! Although, it's been a while since you've written about it. Any more inside scoop? I'm dying for more!
The white papers are without substance - VERY WEAK! If this is the best that James Ray and his entourage could come up with, he is looking at serving MANY MANY years in prison! Even reading them as a lay person causes one to feel embarrassment for the lame statements and ridiculous perspectives that are offered.
That being said, I thank you Cassandra, for bringing all of this info. to us, but advise you to stay with the facts and evidence, which borders on the unbelievable even without your biting commentary.
Your statements such as the one below are not complimentary to your articles, and cause some of us to wonder if you have a personal axe to grind with Mr. Ray. Consider removing statements suchs as the one below in your future articles (because they smack of immaturity and overkill);
'I’m actually going to snicker and make a crude joke about whether or not the officer could actually see the herpes on James Ray while waiting for him to put on some pants.'
Dragonfly, you are a twat.
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