James Ray Trial Blog, Day 10: Information is Power
Information is power. Limited information is dangerous.
That’s what I keep thinking as I watch this trial unfold. James Ray’s lawyer, Luis Li, told the jury in his Opening Statement that Angel Valley burned the sweat lodge within 48 hours of the incident. I remember being on a conference call of James Ray’s just five days after the event in which Barb Waters (a Dream Team member) talked about the closing ceremony to the event and 
about the healing power of burning the sweat lodge.
Every person there was given a match to help light the fire to destroy the sweat lodge. James Ray thanked Barb for summarizing the event and apologized for not being there (he left town hours after the sweat lodge).
So while I watch the trial, and listen to the commentators on InSession, I keep waiting for the evidence to surface. There was a reference to that conference call in court this week, so it’s probably a matter of time. Or perhaps it’s a matter of 509(b)(2) so some other legal clause that binds the proceedings in Camp Verde, AZ.
Even when the truth comes out, it can be shaded (or not properly illuminated) by the lawyers involved. Stephen Ray suffered a coma due to his injuries in the sweat lodge. He doesn’t know how he got out of the tent. He woke up 2 or 3 days later in the hospital. He remembers saying “I’ve got to get out of here,” verbalizing the so-called “runner’s wall” he has experienced in marathons and triathalons. Defense Attorney Truc Do clarified that he didn’t specify that he has physical discomfort or other symptoms of illness. And several times she referred to his foggy/blurry memory, as if it happened due to a ragweed allergy.
The truth is Stephen Ray is a very likable witness. Soft spoken, in shape, doesn’t seem like he would hurt a fly. He takes care of himself and seemed like the kind of reflective person than could have benefitted by the teachings of a responsible mentor.
Today he has lost most of his sense of smell and taste. His memory sometimes suffers, as the defense has ironically used in its favor.
This prosecution witness has enabled the defense to score points in its several hours-long cross examination. As with all other witnesses, defense attorneys showed him the waiver that he had signed upon his arrival at Angel Valley. The fact that waivers do not apply in criminal situations – and that the only 3 waivers in question in this case are those of Kirby and James Shore (and if Liz Neuman signed one at all) – is never mentioned to the jury, at least not yet.
The defense keeps going back to the “poison theory”; in Stephen Ray’s testimony they cited two doctors reports that said he appeared to be a victim of poisons and not heat stroke. But the other 298 pages of his medical record were not presented as evidence. Li, in his opening, mentioned that the tarps were stored in a shed that contained rat poison. That hearsay statement is not yet in evidence, yet hints of poisoning are sprinkled in throughout.
That’s where reasonable doubt comes in.
So the prosecution needed to score some points that the defense claimed this morning. Sheila Polk and Bill Hughes, the prosecutors, also have to try a case within a case, that these people died, and were injured, from something other than poison or other theories that pop up during the trial.
Only members of the jury know whether anyone “scored points” today. But in three months, when the jury convenes, will they even remember the subtleties of law or the highlights of anyone’s testimony.
Later in the day, Lou Caci was called to the stand as a prosecution witness. Again, I found myself thankful that Lou was well dressed, articulate and composed. In my mind, it’s helpful that participants were strong, successful, ambitious people. But I don’t know if it’s helpful to the case, or to my cousin’s legacy. I do not want her remembered as a cult member; a freak who shaved her head (she cut it short, not bald). So personally I’m glad to see well-spoken, well-dressed people take the stand.
Lou’s testimony was difficult to hear. Liz Neuman’s death reminded him of the death of his brother and father (who died of cancer, according to his testimony) due to the way she was breathing in the lodge. He questioned why he returned to the sweat lodge after burning his forearm about halfway through. He wondered on the stand why he didn’t say anything about Liz’s struggles.
The prosecution is trying to get testimony included that James Ray was close enough to hear of Liz’s struggles; that testimony continues tomorrow.
But for tonight, I’m reminded that death and loss (of lives and long friendships) are all over this case. No matter what happens in this trial, Lou Caci will always wonder why he returned to the tent and then why he didn’t get Liz help sooner.
This trial — this Spiritual Warrior event — contains a lot of loss and pain. I hope the truth set us all free of that. But sometimes I doubt it will
