- Judge
rejects church argument
St.
Petersburg Times, Apr. 8,
2000
"In a ruling that stunned the Church of
Scientology and its lawyers, a Hillsborough
County judge said Friday that religious rights
are not a central issue in the 1995 death of
Scientologist Lisa McPherson. Circuit Judge James
S. Moody Jr. also said it is not clear whether
McPherson consented to her treatment by
Scientology staffers before she died in their
care. That question should be left to a jury, the
judge said."
- Scientology
suit for jury to decide, circuit judge says
Tampa
Tribune, Apr. 8, 2000
"In announcing his decision, Judge
James S. Moody Jr. said the case is 'replete with
factual disputes.' Resolving those disputes is a
jury's job, not a judge's, he said. Moody also
reiterated his view that the lawsuit doesn't
revolve around issues of religion. Rather, the
issue is: Did McPherson consent to be cared for
at the hotel and, if she did, did she later
change her mind?"
- Scientology's
defense impresses judge
St. Petersburg Times,
Apr. 7, 2000
"[Doug] Crow, the prosecutor, said the
consequences and bad publicity from the
prosecution do not restrict Scientologists' legal
right to practice their religion, as church
members allege. The church, he said, created its
own burden by committing crimes, namely abuse of
a disabled adult and practicing medicine without
a license. 'We believe we have the right to hold
them accountable,' Crow said. The state had no
choice but to charge the church because
Scientology staffers lied, changed their accounts
and kept shifting blame, making individual
prosecutions impossible, Crow said."
- Scientology
points to examiner's e-mail
Tampa
Tribune, Apr. 7, 2000
"Just before she backed away from
blaming Lisa McPherson's death on bed rest and
dehydration at the hands of Scientologists, the
chief medical examiner e-mailed a colleague,
pleading for help in proving the case... The
recipient of [Joan] Wood's e-mail was not
identified. But Wood sought help explaining the
absence of 'ketones' in tests of bodily fluid
taken from McPherson after her death Dec. 5, 1995."
- Lawyers
debate church's claims
St. Petersburg Times,
Apr. 6, 2000
"Scientology attorney Eric Lieberman argued
that the church staffers who cared for McPherson
were engaged in a religious practice called the
Introspection Rundown, which attempts to quiet a
psychotic person with isolation and vitamins
followed by Scientology counseling... Schaeffer
questioned the argument, saying: 'Your position
is that your people can be as negligent as they
want to be (without fear of prosecution) . . .
and that's kind of a scary proposition.' "
- Scientology
to argue for dismissal of case
St.
Petersburg Times, Apr. 4,
2000
"If Schaeffer denies the church's
request, the focus shifts to a five-week criminal
trial scheduled in October. Scientology officials
have warned they would free their lawyers to
mount an all-out defense that could end up 'harming
the credibility of many persons.' 'If we start
down that road,' church official Mike Rinder said
recently, 'the result of it is going to be bad
for the city' of Clearwater."
- Records
outline Scientology case
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 26,
2000
"The
church's strategy is reminiscent of the O.J.
Simpson murder case in 1995 when defense
attorneys meticulously picked away at the
handling of blood samples and other forensic
evidence, creating doubt among jurors. In the
McPherson case, however, the all-out attack on
the state's medical evidence is occurring well
ahead of a trial. The church's Clearwater entity
was charged in 1998 with abuse of a disabled
adult and practicing medicine without a license,
both felonies."
- Chief
judge returns to Scientology case
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 15,
2000
"Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Susan F.
Schaeffer is back to work after a medical leave
and again will preside over the criminal case
against the Church of Scientology."
- Scientologists
decry toll of criminal case
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 7,
2000
"In affidavits filed Wednesday in
Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court, many church members
said the criminal case stemming from the 1995
death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson has
prompted their non-Scientologist relatives,
friends and co-workers to question their
involvement in the church, shun them, ridicule
them or express concern about their safety."
- Pathologists
say clot killed Scientologist
Tampa
Tribune, Mar. 7, 2000
"A
few years ago, forensic pathologist Michael Baden
was a defense witness for O.J. Simpson. On Monday,
he went to bat for the Church of Scientology.
Baden, former chief medical examiner for New York
City, appeared at a news conference in downtown
Clearwater along with Cyril Wecht, a renowned
coroner and lawyer in Pittsburgh, to share their
views about what killed Lisa McPherson."
- Scientologists
fail to budge judge
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 4,
2000
"Pinellas-Pasco
Circuit Judge Brandt C. Downey III ruled Friday
that the Church of Scientology's fears about an
unfair trial are unfounded and that he will
continue to preside in the criminal case against
it. Immediately after the ruling, Scientology
lawyer Morris 'Sandy' Weinberg asked Downey to
stop the case completely until the judge's ruling
could be appealed. Downey quickly denied the
request, advising Weinberg to be ready for a
significant hearing March 13."
- Judge
in Scientology case won't remove himself
Tampa Tribune, Mar.
4, 2000
"The
suggestion that a judge must be sympathetic to
Scientology's beliefs in order to preside over
the McPherson case is not a legitimate reason to
seek Downey's removal, Assistant State Attorney
Doug Crow argued. 'They are not entitled to
manipulate the court system to require a judge
whose beliefs match theirs,' Crow said."
- A
cry for justice
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 3,
2000
"Changing a few words on the autopsy report
does not change the tragic events that unfolded
in a darkened Scientology hotel room. Whatever
caused the blood clot that killed McPherson,
timely medical care would have given her a chance
to survive. No matter how many experts the Church
of Scientology hires or how much pressure they
put on public officials, a jury should decide if
someone committed a crime in the death of Lisa
McPherson."
- Church
wants judge removed in McPherson case
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 3,
2000
"The
Church of Scientology says it fears Pinellas-Pasco
Circuit Judge Brandt C. Downey III cannot be
impartial and is asking that he remove himself
from presiding in the Lisa McPherson case. In a
motion filed late Thursday, Scientology asserts
that several of Downey's former law partners were
active in anti-Scientology efforts in the late
1970s and early 1980s, after the church's
controversial arrival in Clearwater."
- Scientology
asks judge to leave case
Tampa
Tribune, Mar. 3, 2000
"The
Church of Scientology wants a judge to remove
himself from the criminal case stemming from the
death of Lisa McPherson. Pasco-Pinellas Circuit
Judge Brandt Downey, who in February inherited
the case from another judge, is a mental health
advocate formally associated with lawyers who
represented church critics, contend church
lawyers."
- Judge
tells Scientologists to give evidence to family
of dead woman
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 26,
2000
"The
family of Scientologist Lisa McPherson will be
allowed to see the new evidence that helped
convince a medical examiner to amend her autopsy
report on McPherson, a judge ruled Friday. Pasco-Pinellas
Medical Examiner Joan Wood filed an autopsy
report last week finding McPherson's death in
December 1995 accidental rather than undetermined,
as Wood originally reported. Medical experts
hired by the Church of Scientology provided most
of the fresh evidence and test results Wood
reviewed."
- Scientologists
'got in over their heads'
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 24,
2000
"Prosecutors
released the statements in December to buttress
their case that the church abused McPherson and
illegally practiced medicine on her. Now, the
statements loom large after a judge's ruling
Wednesday that delayed the release of the 10,000-page
investigative file on McPherson's death. In the
absence of that file, the five Scientologists
provide the most complete telling thus far of
Lisa McPherson's death and of the investigation
that followed."
- Scientologists
block release of documents
Tampa
Tribune, Feb. 24, 2000
"Defense
attorney Sandy Weinberg said the church does not
want autopsy photographs and other evidence made
public before prosecutors have a chance to ponder
dropping the charges. However, if Wood's ruling
that the death was accidental prompts prosecutors
to dismiss the case, the unused evidence will
eventually become public record as the
investigation is closed."
- For
now, file is closed
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 24,
2000
"The
investigative file on the death of Scientologist
Lisa McPherson will remain secret for the time
being, the result of a judge's ruling Wednesday.
Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Brandt C. Downey III
decided the Church of Scientology could rescind
its demand for all the evidence gathered by
prosecutors."
- Scientology's
view
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 24,
2000
"[Mike
Rinder] and [Marty] Rathbun also addressed the
shock expressed by Dr. David Minkoff, who
pronounced McPherson dead. They argued his
reaction is consistent with the suddenness of
McPherson's death from a blood clot in her lung.
They also played a scene from the movie The
Exorcist in which Linda Blair's character becomes
psychotic. Their point: Scientologists who cared
for McPherson faced trying circumstances."
- Church
member's death now called accident
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 23,
2000
"If
anything, Dandar said, the new eye fluid tests
show McPherson was more dehydrated than Wood
originally thought. He said his experts say that
dehydration causes blood clots, despite what
Scientology says. He also disputes the church's
theory that a bruise from McPherson's auto
accident caused her fatal blood clot. His experts
say there is no way a clot could have remained
behind her knee for 17 days without causing some
effect sooner."
- Scientologist's
death 'accidental'
Tampa
Tribune, Feb. 23, 2000
"Wood still lists 'severe
dehydration' as part of her 'final anatomic
diagnosis.' Dandar said that shows that McPherson
was mistreated at the Fort Harrison Hotel. Also,
by adding psychosis as a significant condition,
Wood has made it clear that McPherson was unable
to exercise her freedom of religion in her final
days, Dandar said."
- Judge
denies motion
Bay
News 9 (via Xenu
TV), Feb. 5, 2000
"A Pinellas County judge denied a motion the
Church of Scientology Flagship Service
Organization filed in December. The church faces
a civil lawsuit over the death of Lisa McPherson.
Judge George Greer denied the church's motion
which claimed McPherson's aunt, Dell Liebrich, is
not the official trustee of McPherson's estate."
- Judge
rejects Scientology arguments
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 4, 2000
"The Church of Scientology
said it was being sued by people who had gone too
far. It said a 70-year-old woman from Texas had
allowed the lawsuit over the death of her niece,
Lisa McPherson, to be "hijacked" by
church critics bent on destroying Scientology...
But Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George W. Greer
rejected those arguments Thursday, ruling that
Scientology has no legal interest in the estate
of Lisa McPherson, the Scientologist who died in
1995 while under the care of church staffers in
from Clearwater."
- Scientology
trial moved to October
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 22,
1999
"A
criminal trial has been delayed seven months as
prosecutors and lawyers for the Church of
Scientology find themselves mired in what is
becoming an extraordinarily complex case. The
trial now is scheduled for Oct. 16."
- Scientology
calls lawsuit fraudulent
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 17,
1999
"Ken
Dandar, the attorney for McPherson's family, said
Scientology has no legal standing to challenge
the estate. He also said it was Fannie McPherson's
dying wish that the church be sued and exposed.
At least three people witnessed Fannie McPherson
sign the document in question, he said."
- Scientology
leader named defendant in suit
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 15,
1999
"In a
ruling Tuesday that stunned the Church of
Scientology and its attorneys, a Hillsborough
County judge allowed Scientology's worldwide
leader, David Miscavige, to be named as a
defendant in a lawsuit over the 1995 death of
church member Lisa McPherson... The lawsuit also
says Miscavige's subordinates informed him of
McPherson's deteriorating condition and were
acting on his orders as she became psychotic and
was 'imprisoned' for 17 days while in the care of
Scientology staffers in Clearwater."
- Scientology:
An asset or liability for Clearwater?
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 8,
1999
"In its
effort to intimidate Minton and his followers and
to limit their right to peaceful protest, the
church showed it will spare no expense to silence
its critics... No matter how much money the
Church of Scientology brings to downtown
Clearwater, it will be impossible for it to be an
asset if it cannot control its harmful behavior."
- When
can a church be accused of a crime?
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 8,
1999
"Like the
Scientologists' lawyers, I am not keen on the
idea of charging churches with crimes. But not
many people die in a church's care because of
alleged negligence, either. I would deny the
motion to dismiss and let a jury decide the
central question of fact -- did Flag as an
institution break the law in Lisa McPherson's
death?"
- Prosecutors
argue to keep charges against Scientology
Tampa
Tribune, Dec. 8, 1999
"In a series of responses filed seven months
after church lawyers first asked that charges of
abuse of a disabled adult and practicing medicine
without a license be dismissed, State Attorney
Bernie McCabe said that Lisa McPherson was denied
proper medical attention out of greed and fear on
the part of church officials."
- Belief
called irrelevant in death
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 7,
1999
"In
addition to constitutional arguments, the
document filed Monday was rife with new details
about the case. It accused high-ranking church
staffers in Clearwater of misleading and lying to
police investigators and later to the public
through statements that sanitized the 'nightmarish'
details of McPherson's demise at Scientology's
Fort Harrison Hotel."
- Scientology
prompts review of death case
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 24,
1999
"Wood told reporters McPherson died slowly,
contradicting Scientology lawyers who were saying
then that McPherson's death was sudden and caused
by a staph infection. At the time, a Scientology
lawyer reacted angrily to Wood's statements,
calling the veteran medical examiner 'a hateful
liar.' Also, the church sued Wood seeking her
records in the case."
- Scientology
accuses foe in lawsuit of fraud
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 10,
1999
"In a
petition filed this week, Scientology asks a
Pinellas probate judge to remove a Texas woman,
Dell Liebreich, as the personal representative of
Lisa McPherson's estate. McPherson, a
Scientologist, died in 1995 at 36 after 17 days
in the care of Scientology staffers. Liebreich is
McPherson's aunt. Under Leibreich's direction,
McPherson's estate filed a lawsuit in 1997
alleging Scientology caused McPherson's death."
- Battles
continue in Scientology suit
St.
Petersburg Times, Sep. 14,
1999
"Also
Monday, the Tampa lawyer who represents McPherson's
family sought to expand the lawsuit for the fifth
time, this time asking that the church's top
ecclesiastical leader, David Miscavige, be added
as a defendant. Ken Dandar asserted in a motion
that Miscavige, based in Los Angeles, had final
authority over McPherson's care in Clearwater and
thus contributed to her death. Dandar says the
motion is supported by an affidavit from Jesse
Prince, once a top Scientology official and now a
critic of the church."
- Prosecutor
defends Scientology charges
St.
Petersburg Times, May 14,
1999
"But Crow
argued there was nothing religious about some of
the methods church staffers employed during the
isolation, including forcing food and medicine
down McPherson's throat, sometimes with a large
syringe as they held her down. Crow also noted
that she tried to fight her way out of isolation,
that her non-Scientologist relatives were never
notified, and that she was taken to a hospital
too late."
- Scientology
files motions to drop charges
St.
Petersburg Times, May 12,
1999
"The
Church of Scientology in Clearwater says it is
immune from criminal prosecution in the death of
Lisa McPherson and wants the felony charges
against it dismissed. In lengthy motions filed
this week, Scientology's lawyers argue that the
charges filed against the church last November 'are
both unnecessary and impermissible.' "
- Scientology
told to release notes on late member
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 16,
1999
"Moody
denied two motions Monday attempting to keep the
records secret. One was from the Scientology 'mother
church,' the Church of Scientology International."
- Scientology:
Cult or bliss?
Ventura
County Star, Feb. 20, 1999
"In
Clearwater, Fla., the Church of Scientology was
charged with felony counts of abuse and neglect
after a 36-year-old member died of a blood clot
amid accusations she was held against her will,
forcibly given food and medicine and kept from
outside medical care."
- Judge denies
Scientologists' request in suit
Tampa
Tribune, Jan. 29, 1999
"The church and individual defendants also
had argued that without a stay they could risk
criminal prosecution if they did not invoke the
Fifth Amendment in the civil case. The statute of
limitations for criminal charges that could be
brought against them over McPherson's death ends
in December. At that time they can't invoke their
constitutional privilege against self-incrimination
in the civil case."
- Church's day in
court postponed
Miami
Herald, Dec. 29, 1998
"A pre-trial
hearing scheduled for today in the criminal case
against the Church of Scientology has been
postponed indefinitely -- the church says the
case needs to be specially assigned because it's
so unusual."
- Scientologists'
reputation on trial over woman's death
Miami
Herald, Dec. 27, 1998
"Perhaps
at no time has the relationship between the
Church of Scientology and city leaders been so
delicate since the nouveau religion decided to
make this sleepy Gulf Coast town its spiritual
headquarters 25 years ago."
- Scientologists
get to question critics' backer
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 24,
1997
"[Judge
Moody] also said he was 'disturbed' about an
effort by one Scientology corporation to use an
unrelated bankruptcy case in California to
question Minton about his role in the McPherson
case."
- Scientology
promises a long fight lies ahead
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 16,
1998
"[Scientology
attorney Lee] Fugate indicated that the stream of
motions by Scientology would be 'complex' and 'voluminous'
and would require 'a significant number of
hearings and significant hearing time' that might
burden the current judge on the case, Timothy
Peters."
- Church
pleads innocent to criminal charges
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 1,
1998
"By now,
the church and its lawyers 'probably know 95
percent of what there is to know about the case,'
said Clearwater defense lawyer Michael Cheek. If
a defendant doesn't need to see the prosecutor's
evidence, Cheek said, omitting the discovery
motion can be a way to keep that evidence sealed
and out of the public eye."
- The Life & Death of a
Scientologist
Washington
Post, Dec. 6, 1998
"Beginning Nov. 18, 1995,
Scientology staffers -- following Hubbard's
regimen for dealing with psychotic members --
kept McPherson isolated in that room 24 hours a
day, refusing to speak to her, trying to force-feed
her, plying her with vitamins and herbal
concoctions and injecting her with sedatives,
according to several accounts that are now part
of court records. She furiously resisted: She
pounded the walls, tried to escape, attacked a
staffer with a potted plant. In her delirium,
records say, she defecated on herself and drank
her own urine."
- Former
Scientologist shares familiar tale of force-feeding
St.
Petersburg Times, Dec. 5,
1998
A former
Scientologist from Denmark said Friday that he
helped force bread, fruit and liquids into the
throat of an unconscious woman as part of an
effort help her recover from a mental breakdown.
Karsten Lorenzen's detailed account at a news
conference held by a group of Scientology critics
resembles the experience of Lisa McPherson, as
documented by state investigators and Clearwater
police.
- State
takes middle road against Scientology
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 23,
1998
"He
eventually chose a third option, say Heyman and
other lawyers who know the state attorney and are
familiar with the workings of his office. McCabe
took what they described as an eminently safe and
practical middle course that resulted in two
felony charges against the Church of Scientology's
main operating entity in Clearwater."
- Of
right, wrong and a so-called church
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 22,
1998
"The
usual rules of the game require that I withhold
judgment on the charges of criminal neglect and
practicing medicine without a license that were
filed against the Church of Scientology on Nov.
13 by Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe
in connection with McPherson's death in 1995. But
the good guys finally struck back at that
collection in Clearwater of the glassy-eyed, the
robotic and the rich."
- Scientology's
new tack
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 20,
1998
"While
that is a more rational reaction than a shrill
attack on an accuser, church officials cannot
wipe the slate clean so easily. A skeptical
public still wonders: What has changed inside the
Church of Scientology that will save the next
Lisa McPherson?"
- Better than
nothing - for now
Tampa
Tribune, Nov. 16, 1998
"McPherson's death was an 'accident'?... An
'accident' is when you spill coffee down your
pants. An 'accident' is not allowing a sadly
disturbed young woman to rot to death for 2 1/2
weeks."
- Scientology
responds with surprising calm
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 15,
1998
"Faced
with charges Friday that it neglected and
unlawfully practiced medicine on one of its
members, Scientology's outward response has been
calm and measured. Church officials speak not of
fighting, but of finally 'resolving' the 3-year-old
fallout caused by Lisa McPherson's death and 'moving
on.' "
- Scientology
charged in member's death
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 14,
1998
"The
Church of Scientology in Clearwater has been
charged with criminal neglect and practicing
medicine without a license in the 1995 death of
Lisa McPherson, the mentally disturbed
Scientologist who turned to outsiders for help
before church officials intervened and placed her
under their care."
- McPherson's
death incites web protests
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 14,
1998
"Scientology
critics from Copenhagen to San Francisco walk the
streets carrying signs that question the Dec. 5,
1995, death of McPherson in Clearwater. Some of
those critics will be in Clearwater on the
anniversary of her death again this year to
picket Scientology buildings."
- Hubbard's
teachings guide treatment of mental illness
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 14,
1998
"Hubbard
taught that the psychotic person is a 'potential
trouble source' who is connected to forces
opposed to Scientology. People who behave as
psychotics are 'unethical' and 'immoral,' he
wrote."
- Butterworth
offers his help with Scientology death case
St.
Petersburg Times, Oct. 20,
1998
"Florida
Attorney General Bob Butterworth has offered 'the
complete services of my office' to help
investigate the 1995 death of Scientologist Lisa
McPherson. Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie
McCabe has been reviewing evidence and conducting
his own investigation since December, when the
Clearwater Police Department and Florida
Department of Law Enforcement recommended
criminal charges."
- Doctor
settles his part of wrongful death suit
St. Petersburg Times,
Sep. 15, 1998
"McPherson
has become the subject of World Wide Web sites
where Scientology critics have published autopsy
pictures and copies of the care notes taken by
Scientologists in the days before she died.
Critics also picket Scientology centers all over
the world with McPherson's picture and
accusations that Scientology killed her."
- Scientologists
fighting to keep files secret
St.
Petersburg Times, Aug. 6,
1998
"Dandar alleged after Wednesday's hearing
that Scientology has destroyed the files of other
parishioners to avoid their release in other
legal cases. He also said that Scientology has
used sensitive information in parishioner files
to further its own ends, such as threatening
members."
- The
Secrets of the Universe
Wall
Street Journal, Feb. 24, 1998
"Earlier
this month, German police searched five Munich
locations of the sect after the suspicious death
of a cult member. In Clearwater, Florida, a young
woman mysteriously died after being held at a
Scientology hotel. Maybe Mr. Clinton could send
down Janet Reno for an investigative weekend in
her old neighborhood."
- Scientologists
are seeking a mediator
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 28,
1998
"The
church has been saying for more than a year that
a police investigation into the 1995 death of
Scientologist Lisa McPherson amounts to
harassment. In December, after thousands of
Scientologists picketed police headquarters,
church officials began complaining more broadly
of a 20-year "pattern of discrimination
" by Klein's department."
- Death
of a disciple puts Scientology in the dock
Sunday
Times [UK], Jan. 18, 1998
"After
years of reassuring locals that there was nothing
sinister about its multi-million-dollar property-buying
sprees, the church may be forced to defend its
claims to religious respectability in both the
criminal and civil courts."
- Scientology
faces glare of scrutiny after Florida parishioner's
death
New
York Times, Dec. 1, 1997
"But the
image of a healthy young businesswoman slipping
into dementia and dying inside the Church of
Scientology's landmark building here has
rekindled deep suspicions in this serene
retirement community, which for two decades has
been the unlikely spiritual headquarters of one
of the world's most-debated churches."
- Scientology
records at center of probe
St.
Petersburg Times, May 16,
1997
"Church
of Scientology members took daily notes about a
woman who died after 17 days at a church retreat,
and those records are now in the hands of law
enforcement officials who are deciding whether to
prosecute church representatives."
- Troubles
dogged "medical liaison"
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 22,
1997
"A Church
of Scientology staff member who helped care for
Lisa McPherson shortly before her death is a
medical doctor whose practice in Arizona was
restricted after two hospitals raised questions
about her use of prescription drugs."
- Examiner
lied, Scientology lawyer says
St.
Petersburg Times, Mar. 1,
1997
"In
addition to her remarks about cockroaches, Wood
told reporters that McPherson had gone without
fluids for five to 10 days and that she was
unconscious for 24 to 48 hours before her death."
- A quiet paranoia
settles in Clearwater
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 23,
1997
"Since
the Scientologists have a weird reputation when
it comes to the kind of help they offer people -
think of Lisa McPherson, the woman who died while
in their alleged care in December 1995 - I
figured it would be smarter to leave under my own
power. As I walked out, the woman was still
punching away at her phone."
- Family
sues Scientology in '95 death of woman
St.
Petersburg Times, Feb. 20,
1997
"The
Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office
concluded she died of blood clotting brought on
by 'bed rest and severe dehydration.' Later,
medical examiner Joan Wood said McPherson went
without fluids for five to 10 days, was
unconscious for up to two days before her death
and probably was bitten by cockroaches."
- Dispute
over Scientologist's death
St.
Petersburg Times, Jan. 23,
1997
"In a
phone interview Wednesday from Los Angeles,
Abelson said of Wood: 'Liar. Liar. Liar. Liar.
Liar. Hateful liar. That's what she is.' "
- Church:
Cops planted false story
The
Tampa Tribune, Dec. 17,
1996
"In a
statement released Monday, Scientology officials
claim the police 'planted a false story in The
Tampa Tribune for the express purpose of creating
hate and prejudice against the Church of
Scientology.' ''
- [The article
which broke the story]
Mystery
surrounds Scientologist's death
Tampa
Tribune, Dec. 15, 1996
"Police
have questions about McPherson's death.
Detectives wanted to talk with Scientology
employees Suzanne Schnuremberger, Ildiko Cannovas
and Laura Arrunada, but were told by the church
that all three had left the country. They are
still being sought for questioning."
|
| |
State
of Florida v.
Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization |
- The
state's response to CSFSO's motion to dismiss
FL
v. CSFSO
"All of the criminal acts leading to Ms.
McPherson's death occurred on property under the
exclusive ownership and control of the defendant.
Among the chief actors were several of the
defendant's own directors, its Medical Officer,
members of its internal security force, various
staff members of the defendant, and even its
librarian. Several of the corporate actors
literally laid their hands on the late Ms.
Lisa McPherson in the course of the perpetration
of the crimes with which the defendant has
been charged."
- Witness Affidavit
Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement, Nov. 13, 1998
The FDLE's
initial summary of the case, filed as part of the
criminal indictment.
- Felony Information
State Attorney's Office, Nov. 13, 1998
Also filed as part of the indictment,
this document details the felonies alleged by the
state.
- Report
of Autopsy
Medical
Examiner, Dec. 6, 1995
An image of a photocopy of the document.
Estate
of Lisa McPherson v.
Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization |
- First
Amended Complaint
Nov.,
1997
"The manner in which Church of
Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc.
established itself on Clearwater and the manner
in which Scientology has conducted itself is a
long pattern of conduct that demonstrates this
organization's resentment for the law, authority,
the courts and the general public. The history of
deceit, deception, fraud, and illegal acts not
only in Clearwater and the USA but around the
world, trace back to the mind of Hubbard and his
paranoid siege-mentality."
- "Babywatch"
Logs
Nov.
18 (?) - Dec. 5, 1995
Notes kept by the Scientologists who
were "caring for" Lisa.
COUNTY COURT OR CIRCUIT
COURT - CRIMINAL DIVISION
PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
WITNESS
AFFIDAVIT
STATE
OF FLORIDA
V.
CHURCH
OF SCIENTOLOGY,
FLAG SERVICE ORGANIZATION, INC.
BEFORE ME, A
NOTARY PUBLIC, personally appeared Special Agent
A. L. Strope of the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement, who being duly sworn says:
Your Affiant is a
sworn Special Agent with the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement Office and has been so
employed for the past ten years. In January of
1997 your Affiant was assigned to assist the
Clearwater Police Department in their
investigation into the 1995 death of 36 year old
Lisa McPherson. Your Affiant has read through the
initial police reports of the investigating
officers, reviewed transcripts of taped
interviews of witnesses, reviewed medical records
relating to Lisa McPherson from Morton Plant
Hospital and Columbia HCA New Port Richey
Hospital in New Port Richey, reviewed autopsy
photos and the report of the autopsy of Ms.
McPherson, has also personally interviewed
numerous witnesses and was present at numerous
sworn statements of subpoenaed witnesses taken by
the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office.
Based upon these sources, your Affiant has
reasonable grounds to believe that from
approximately November 18, 1995 up to and
including December 5, 1995 that the Church of
Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., an
active Florida Corporation, (herein after
referred to as CSFSO), did unlawfully and
feloniously engage in or attempt to engage in the
illegal, unlicensed practice of medicine, to-wit:
the diagnosis, treatment, operation or
prescription for any human disease, pain, injury,
deformity or other physical or mental condition
or did act in this state as a medical doctor in
violation of Florida Statute, Section 458.327 (1995).
Your Affiant further has reasonable grounds to
believe that the CSFSO, an active Florida
Corporation from approximately November 1 | |
OCCUPIED CLEARWATER