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James Ray jailed for Arizona sweat lodge deaths | James Ray jailed for Arizona sweat lodge deaths |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A self-help author is facing two years in prison for the deaths of three people at an Arizona "sweat lodge". | A self-help author is facing two years in prison for the deaths of three people at an Arizona "sweat lodge". |
James Ray was convicted in June of negligent homicide and will serve three sentences concurrently. | |
The deaths occurred at the Angel Valley Retreat Center, 115 miles (180km) north of Phoenix, in October 2009. | The deaths occurred at the Angel Valley Retreat Center, 115 miles (180km) north of Phoenix, in October 2009. |
Ray said at the hearing he would have stopped the ceremony if he knew people were in distress. He accepted blame for causing pain to the victims' families. | |
The families of the three victims - Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman - had pleaded for the maximum nine-year sentence. | The families of the three victims - Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman - had pleaded for the maximum nine-year sentence. |
Plea for forgiveness | |
Ray has been given three two-year sentences, to be served concurrently, and will pay more than $57,000 (£36,000) in restitution. | |
He begged for forgiveness and asked the judge to grant him probation in order to care for his ailing parents and put his life back together - a request that the judge denied. | |
"At the end of the day, I lost three friends, and I lost them on my watch. Whatever errors in judgment or mistakes I have made, I'm going to have to live with those for the rest of my life. | |
"I truly understand your disappointment in my actions after, I do. I'm disappointed in myself. I don't have any excuse," Ray told the court. | |
Authorities took custody of Ray immediately after the hearing finished, although his parents and brother - who were with him at court - said they hoped they would have a chance to see him afterwards. | |
Ray's defence lawyer Luis Li said his client would probably appeal, but added: "We just hope the process of healing can begin and the victims' families can find some peace." | |
'Spiritual warrior' | 'Spiritual warrior' |
Sweat lodges are typically used by American Indians to rid the body of toxins by pouring water over heated rocks in the structure. | Sweat lodges are typically used by American Indians to rid the body of toxins by pouring water over heated rocks in the structure. |
Emergency services were called to the sweat lodge after some of the 50 people at the event reported they were having difficulty breathing. | Emergency services were called to the sweat lodge after some of the 50 people at the event reported they were having difficulty breathing. |
Two people fainted during the ceremony and died later the same evening. A third participant died a week later after failing to wake up from a coma. | Two people fainted during the ceremony and died later the same evening. A third participant died a week later after failing to wake up from a coma. |
Eighteen people were taken to hospital reportedly suffering from illnesses ranging from dehydration to kidney failure. | Eighteen people were taken to hospital reportedly suffering from illnesses ranging from dehydration to kidney failure. |
Prosecutors said a reasonable person would have stopped the "abomination of a sweat lodge" when participants began showing signs of distress about halfway through the ceremony. | Prosecutors said a reasonable person would have stopped the "abomination of a sweat lodge" when participants began showing signs of distress about halfway through the ceremony. |
Ray, who has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King Live, had rented the centre for his five-day "Spiritual Warrior" event. | |
Reports said some of the participants had paid up to $9,000 for their stay at the retreat, which also reportedly included a 36-hour fast. |