Suing the sweat lodge killer

Attorneys:  Lawsuits on way for guru Ray

By JJ HensleyAttorneys are preparing to file a pair of lawsuits against personal-financial guru James Arthur Ray by the end of the week, but the investigation into the three deaths at the sweat lodge outside Sedona could linger as authorities wait for toxicology reports on the victims.

A spokesman for the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that a final report would be delayed as detectives awaited toxicology results on the body of Liz Neuman, the final victim from the Oct. 8 incident. Neuman, 49, of Prior Lake, Minn., died at Flagstaff Medical Center on Oct. 17 of multiple organ failure, according to her attorney.

A U.S. senator from Minnesota on Tuesday called for a federal investigation into whether Ray violated any laws, including false advertising about the retreat.

Investigators have said they are focusing on Ray and anyone else involved in organizing the sweat-lodge ceremony, as they tried to determine if negligence caused the deaths.Comment:  Negligence? When Ray pushed people past their limits according to his "you must die" philosophy? When he cajoled people into staying inside although they were feeling bad? When he ignored someone who was unconscious or dying? Ray's crimes sound worse than mere negligence to me.

For more on the subject, see How James Ray Fleeced His Flock, Inside the Death Lodge, and Ray Investigated for Homicides.