James Arthur Ray Gets 2 Years in Prison for Non-Indian Sweat Lodge Deaths

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

"I'm so sorry"

Native Brief: PRESCOTT, ARIZONA - James Arthur Ray was sentenced on Friday to two years in prison for the three deaths he caused at a non-Indian sweat lodge ceremony in October 2009. His terms will be served concurrently.

"I see and I find that the aggravating circumstance of emotional harm is so strong and such that probation is simply unwarranted in this case," stated Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow to Ray as he imposed his sentence.

Ray was convicted in late June of negligent homicide in the deaths.

Prior to be handed down his prison sentence from Judge Darrow, Ray told the judge and victims family members he would never conduct another sweat lodge again.

“I'm so sorry. And I know that nothing I could say or do is enough,”

he said, his voice cracking and thick with emotion. "There's not one single day that passes that I don't relive the moments of that night in my life, asking what I missed, what I could have done differently. I didn't know, I didn't know that anyone was dying or in distress. I wish to God I would have. I would have stopped immediately."

The deaths occurred during a sweat lodge ceremony at the end of a "Spiritual Warrior" retreat put on by Ray. The sweat lodge was reportedly long and brutally-hot where participants became disoriented and ill, according to the "Tucson Citizen."

Ray will serve a minimum of 600 days before he is eligible for parole. His attorneys stated they would appeal the sentence.

posted November 19, 2011 7:40 am est