Although James Arthur Ray still faces manslaughter charges for his role in the deaths of three spiritual sweat lodge attendees, a civil lawsuit invoking his company’s name has been settled. The families of James Shore, Kirby Brown and Liz Neuman sued sweat lodge owners Michael Hamilton and Amayra Hamilton in civil court. The plaintiffs contended that the Hamiltons were experienced enough to know that something was terribly wrong during with their deceased relatives during a sweat lodged hosted by James Arthur Ray. Although Liz Neuman did not succumb to her injuries until a week later, all three deceased parties would still be alive today if the Hamiltons has contacted emergency services, says the defense.
The families of the deceased sweat lodges attendees say that the Hamiltons were fueled by greed. James Arthur Ray has a long history of pushing his ‘clients’ to their physical limits, and the Hamiltons were likely well aware of his reputation and practices before agreeing to let him use their facilities. The sweat lodge was heated to a much higher temperature than is medically recommended before it was filled over the maximum capacity by people who had flown from all over the world to attend. Numerous event organizers reportedly complained of the conditions to both Ray and the Hamiltons. Reportedly, Ray demanded that the sweat lodge continue even after participants began to pass out. The civil case was settled on behalf of the deceased victims’ families for an undisclosed sum, and the criminal trial involving James Arthur Ray continues in Arizona.
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