New batch of records in Arizona sweat lodge case offers details of participants’ experiences

Records in Ariz. sweat lodge case offer details

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Documents released Thursday in the case of motivational speaker James Arthur Ray offer more details of the experiences of the people who participated in a deadly sweat lodge ceremony.

Ray led the ceremony as part of his “Spiritual Warrior” retreat last year near Sedona. He faces manslaughter charges in the deaths of three people who took part, and has pleaded not guilty.

The more than 50 people who were inside the pitch-black sweat lodge have offered wide-ranging opinions about Ray and his five-day event that culminated with the sweat lodge ceremony.

All could be called to testify during Ray’s trial that’s slated to begin Aug. 31. Prosecutors have identified more than two dozen others who attended past Ray-led events as potential witnesses.