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Requests made by “spiritual warrior” James Arthur Ray and his lawyers to subpoena emergency workers who responded to the Sedona sweat lodge that left three people dead and dozens injured, was quashed by a Yavapai County judge.
Ray and his attorneys sent 10 subpoenas to various emergency responders, hospital staff, and members of the coroner’s office, but prosecutors in the case argued that Ray’s attorneys disregarded the rules of discovery in a criminal case and that much of the information they were requesting already has been disclosed.
On Monday, Yavapai County Judge Warren Darrow granted the prosecution’s request to have the subpoenas thrown out.
Ray faces three manslaughter charges in connection with the “self-help” retreat he held in Sedona last October.
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Three people died after participating in the event, which included spending extended periods of time in a jerry-rigged sweat lodge that prosecutors say was poorly ventilated, and filled beyond capacity.
If convicted on all counts, Ray faces up to 40 years in prison.
