This is James Ray’s Mugshot. Look at the disdain he has on his face. I guess he just isn’t thinking positively enough or he wouldn’t have to wear the colors of a con.

A great story about the trial of James Ray is at Indian Country News here:

Self-help guru James Arthur Ray says it was all a tragic accident when his followers began collapsing one by one in a sweat lodge at his retreat, with three of them dying. As unfortunate as the ordeal was, he says the participants knew about the risks the ceremony presented.

Prosecutors say it’s a blatant case of manslaughter by a man who recklessly crammed dozens of people in a 400-square-foot sweat lodge and chided them for wanting to leave, even as people were vomiting, getting burned by hot rocks and lying lifeless on the ground.

The two sides will be on display in coming months now that prosecutors have charged Ray with manslaughter in a case that could send him to prison for more than 35 years. The 52-year-old Ray said nothing during his first court appearance last week, and his lawyer entered a not guilty plea.

Any evidence of illnesses at prior Ray-led events, cover-up or lying about incidents and testimony that Ray ignored signs of medical distress would bode well for prosecutors.

A detailed investigation found previous injuries at Ray-led events, and witnesses said Ray ignored growing signs that the ceremony had gone terribly wrong.

Should the case go to trial, testimony is expected to include cult experts, medical professionals, psychologists, American Indian sweat lodge leaders, former Ray employees and participants of various Ray-led events.

The ceremony was intended to be almost a religious awakening and the highlight of Ray’s “Spiritual Warrior” retreat. About halfway through the ceremony, people began feeling ill, vomiting and collapsing. Three people who never regained consciousness died at hospitals – Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, N.Y.; James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee; and Liz Neuman, 49, of Prior Lake, Minn. Eighteen others were hospitalized.

It would be interesting to see whether the jury is influenced by any claims of brainwashing. The sweat lodge participants had endured five days of fasting, sleep-deprivation and mind-altering breathing exercises before the ceremony began.

For now, Ray remains in an Arizona jail on a $5 million bond – a figure his attorneys want lowered because Ray has no criminal history. He faces three to 121/2 years in prison on each of the three manslaughter charges if he’s convicted, with probation being an option.

How is it that the cult leader who believes so deeply in the laws of attraction finds himself attracted to the possibility of serving a century behing bars?

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