Motions in sweat lodge case seek to limit evidence
Attorneys for a self-help guru facing manslaughter charges stemming from a fatal sweat lodge ceremony want to limit the trial’s testimony and evidence to the 2009 event that led to three deaths.
James Arthur Ray’s lawyers filed motions this week asking a judge to suppress self-help videos their client made after the October ceremony near Sedona.
They also want to prohibit testimony regarding what Ray, his volunteers or staff said or did following similar ceremonies, any opinions on whether Ray is guilty or innocent, and testimony of emotional distress from the families of the deceased.
Ray has pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter. His attorneys claimed some of the evidence prosecutors want to admit is barred by law, while other evidence is irrelevant to the case; would prejudice their client; violate his constitutional rights; or impair the jury’s objectivity.