Will Truth Justice and the American Way Ever Touch James Arthur Ray

Over two years after three people died ::: James Arthur Ray's Pre sentencing hearing is finally upon us. The way this trial has bobbed and wobbled every which way ::: through half truths ::: outright lies ::: and shouts of abuse ::: I thought I'd take a moment to ramble on a bit about how I feel about JAR's trial, the constitution and what all of this means to me.

Everyone has their take on things, which is why communications between people are rarely simple.  In bad situations communication becomes outright contentious.
Some concepts are universal. 

1. Abuse :: of ANY kind :: is a bad thing.
2. Causing people (physical, emotional, sexual) harm :: is a bad thing.
3. Standing by and doing nothing while people are suffering or dying :: is a bad thing.
4. Stealing from others :: is a bad thing.
5. Lying to others :: is a bad thing.

The American Founding Fathers felt strongly enough about the above mentioned beliefs to issue a Declaration of Independence from Brittan and draft the U.S. Constitution.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

IMHO James Arthur Ray would seem to believe he's a bit more equal than most (translation: he's special and has special needs).  Sadly he also appears comfortable pursuing "Life, Liberty and Happiness" any way he can, regardless how many people he takes down in the process.  I can't help wondering what the Founding Fathers would think of Modern America ::: more specifically ::: James Arthur Ray and his blatant abuse of the American judicial system.

James Arthur Ray has lied to, and stolen from, countless people.  He has bankrupted a number of businesses and ruined the good names of various people and organizations.  His actions have physically maimed dozens and contributed to the deaths of at least 4 people ::: that we know of.

James Arthur Ray sat back and allowed his defense team to abuse, malign and verbally attack victims and witnesses alike ::: all in the name of protecting his name ::: his honor and his special needs.  Playing full on ::: with such a selfish and ugly winner-takes-all mentality ::: that at times it made me feel physically ill while listening to the trial.

To say James Arthur Ray is bad person would be a gross understatement.  But then what do I know, I'm just a fat ugly slob ::: a nobody in James Arthur Ray's world.  James Arthur Ray told me I'd never be anything but a fat slob and a looser if I didn't put myself in debt to attend his seminars. 

Now supposedly bankrupt, his professional reputation in tatters ::: James Arthur Ray stands convicted of negligent homicide X 3.  He and his lawyers have been doing everything in their power to stall any sort of justice for the dead.  Just how much jail time (if any) he eventually receives is ultimately up to the judge.

If you listen to the talking heads ::: James Ray is a kind hearted caring soul who should get probation. 

If you listen to the media ::: no one really knows what happened except the dead. 

Certain harsh voices (you know who they are) lawyers who will remain nameless for this post, and delusional JAR fans ::: all of whom are a little too quick to happily blame anyone and everyone ::: BUT ::: James Arthur Ray for the events at Spiritual Warrior 2009.  To hear them talk ::: the dead died because of their own stupidity.

FYI ::: the dead died because of James Arthur Ray's actions (or rather lack thereof) ::: a byproduct of his unbridled greed, arrogance and avarice.  They died because they trusted in a man who could not be trusted ::: and NEVER SHOULD BE TRUSTED AGAIN.

In the end ::: Jail time ::: or NO Jail time ::: the fruits of James Arthur Ray's actions will follow him until his dying day.  No amount of fame, wealth or adoration can remove the stain James Arthur Ray's actions have etched upon his soul.

I'm talking about an indefinable something which exists in the honorable among us.  Something once lost ::: which is nearly impossible to replace.  The thing which grants us peace, spiritual grounding, and the ability to navigate the world secure in the knowledge of right and wrong.

In case you're reading this James ::: I've long forgiven you for any of the ugly words you hurled at me so many years ago.  Forgiveness being a gift I've granted myself.  I'm letting you go, secure in the knowledge that the universe takes care of us all.

I pray God you reconnect with your spiritual self ::: take responsibility for your actions ::: and finally make ammends to all those harmed by your actions.  If there's any goodness left inside you ::: NEVER offer yourself up as a life coach or mentor again.

As always ::: my prayers are will the families and the numerous victims of James Arthur Ray.  I hope time grants peace and closure to those who were injured, scared or lost loved ones to the actions and/or inactions of JAR at his worst.
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"Our life is frittered away by detail ::: simplify, simplify.
      Henry David Thoreau

13-1102.  Negligent homicide; classification

A. A person commits negligent homicide if with criminal negligence the person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child.

  

B. An offense under this section applies to an unborn child in the womb at any stage of its development. A person may not be prosecuted under this section if any of the following applies:

1. The person was performing an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on the pregnant woman's behalf, has been obtained or for which the consent was implied or authorized by law.
2. The person was performing medical treatment on the pregnant woman or the pregnant woman's unborn child. 
3. The person was the unborn child's mother.

C. Negligent homicide is a class 4 felony.
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13-3623. Child or vulnerable adult abuse; emotional abuse; classification; exceptions; definitions

A. Under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:

1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 2 felony and if the victim is under fifteen years of age it is punishable pursuant to section 13-705.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 3 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 4 felony.

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13-203. Causal relationship between conduct and result; relationship to mental culpability

A. Conduct is the cause of a result when both of the following exist:

1. But for the conduct the result in question would not have occurred.
2. The relationship between the conduct and result satisfies any additional causal requirements imposed by the statute defining the offense.

 B. If intentionally causing a particular result is an element of an offense, and the actual result is not within the intention or contemplation of the person, that element is established if:

1. The actual result differs from that intended or contemplated only in the respect that a different person or different property is injured or affected or that the injury or harm intended or contemplated would have been more serious or extensive than that caused; or
     
2. The actual result involves similar injury or harm as that intended or contemplated and occurs in a manner which the person knows or should know is rendered substantially more probable by such person's conduct.

C. If recklessly or negligently causing a particular result is an element of an offense, and the actual result is not within the risk of which the person is aware or in the case of criminal negligence, of which the person should be aware, that element is established if:

1. The actual result differs from the probable result only in the respect that a different person or different property is injured or affected or that the injury or harm intended or contemplated would have been more serious or extensive than that caused; or
     
2. The actual result involves similar injury or harm as the probable result and occurs in a manner which the person knows or should know is rendered substantially more probable by such person's conduct.

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B. Under circumstances other than those likely to produce death or serious physical injury to a child or vulnerable adult, any person who causes a child or vulnerable adult to suffer physical injury or abuse or, having the care or custody of a child or vulnerable adult, who causes or permits the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult to be injured or who causes or permits a child or vulnerable adult to be placed in a situation where the person or health of the child or vulnerable adult is endangered is guilty of an offense as follows:

1. If done intentionally or knowingly, the offense is a class 4 felony.
2. If done recklessly, the offense is a class 5 felony.
3. If done with criminal negligence, the offense is a class 6 felony.

C. For the purposes of subsections A and B of this section, the terms endangered and abuse include but are not limited to circumstances in which a child or vulnerable adult is permitted to enter or remain in any structure or vehicle in which volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are found or equipment is possessed by any person for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug in violation of section 13-3407, subsection A, paragraph 3 or 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a violation committed under the circumstances described in this subsection does not require that a person have care or custody of the child or vulnerable adult.

D. A person who intentionally or knowingly engages in emotional abuse of a vulnerable adult who is a patient or resident in any setting in which health care, health-related services or assistance with one or more of the activities of daily living is provided or, having the care or custody of a vulnerable adult, who intentionally or knowingly subjects or permits the vulnerable adult to be subjected to emotional abuse is guilty of a class 6 felony.

E. This section does not apply to:

1. A health care provider as defined in section 36-3201 who permits a patient to die or the patient's condition to deteriorate by not providing health care if that patient refuses that care directly or indirectly through a health care directive as defined in section 36-3201, through a surrogate pursuant to section 36-3231 or through a court appointed guardian as provided for in title 14, chapter 5, article 3.
2. A vulnerable adult who is being furnished spiritual treatment through prayer alone and who would not otherwise be considered to be abused, neglected or endangered if medical treatment were being furnished.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Abuse", when used in reference to a child, means abuse as defined in section 8-201, except for those acts in the definition that are declared unlawful by another statute of this title and, when used in reference to a vulnerable adult, means:
   (a) Intentional infliction of physical harm.
   (b) Injury caused by criminally negligent acts or omissions.
   (c) Unlawful imprisonment, as described in section 13-1303.
   (d) Sexual abuse or sexual assault.
     
2. "Child" means an individual who is under eighteen years of age.
     
3. "Emotional abuse" means a pattern of ridiculing or demeaning a vulnerable adult, making derogatory remarks to a vulnerable adult, verbally harassing a vulnerable adult or threatening to inflict physical or emotional harm on a vulnerable adult.
     
4. "Physical injury" means the impairment of physical condition and includes any skin bruising, pressure sores, bleeding, failure to thrive, malnutrition, dehydration, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, injury to any internal organ or any physical condition that imperils health or welfare.
5. "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that creates a reasonable risk of death or that causes serious or permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb.
6. "Vulnerable adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a mental or physical impairment.