FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Defense attorneys in the case of a motivational speaker charged with manslaughter want his financial and business records, testimony from prior events and autopsy photographs barred from trial.
James Arthur Ray has pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter, stemming from a sweat lodge ceremony he led last October near Sedona that turned deadly.
Prosecutors have said they will call participants of past Ray-led events who became ill or were injured as witnesses during the trial that is set to begin next month.
In motions filed Wednesday, his attorneys say the supposed evidence is not relevant to the case and would only confuse jurors, generate prejudice against Ray and waste judicial resources.
Friday marks the deadline for motions to be filed. They will be heard July 20 and 21.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
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