- 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 18, 1995
to December 5, 1995 did knowingly, willfully or
by culpable negligence abuse or neglect Lisa
McPherson, a disabled adult and in doing so
caused great bodily harm.
Your Affiant
learned through the above-mentioned investigation
that Lisa McPherson was a long-term member of the
organization known generally as the "Church
of Scientology." She had initially become
involved many years ago in her home state of
Texas and had moved to Clearwater in late 1993
when her employers, who are also Scientologists,
moved their business there. During the two years
preceding her death, Lisa spent more than $70,000
for courses, services or auditing at the CSFSO,
located at the Ft. Harrison Hotel in downtown
Clearwater, and in various other buildings in the
immediate Clearwater area. Your Affiant states
that at approximately 5:50 p.m., on November 18,
1995 Lisa was involved in a minor traffic
accident in Clearwater, Florida. McPherson, who
appeared to be uninjured, talked briefly with
Paramedic Bonnie Portolano and EMT Mark Fabyanic
before moving her car out of traffic. The
paramedics then noticed that Lisa had taken off
all of her clothes and was walking past them down
the street naked. Portolano stopped Lisa and
brought her back to the van and, because of her
actions and conversation, became concerned for
Lisa's psychological well-being. Lisa consented
to be taken to Morton Plant Hospital, which was a
short distance away. Portolano estimated Lisa's
weight at over 150 lbs. Your Affiant is aware of
this information by reading the investigative
reports of the officers involved and the
transcript of taped interview of paramedic
Portolano given to Clearwater Detective Suddler
and the transcript of her deposition given in a
related civil case.
Your Affiant
learned from reviewing the hospital records
relating to Lisa's stay and from reviewing police
reports or transcripts of taped interviews of
Portolano, attending Physician Flynn Lovett, and
psychiatric nurse Joe Price that shortly after
Lisa's arrival, a number of Scientologists
including several high level CSFSO officials
showed up at the emergency room and asked to be
with Lisa. Despite the fact that Dr. Lovett felt
that Lisa was in need of psychological treatment,
Nurse Price did not believe McPherson met the
criteria for involuntary hospitalization. Lisa
was allowed to check out against medical advice
and leave with other members of the CSFSO, who
had promised to care for her. Your Affiant
further learned that Lisa remained at the Ft.
Harrison Hotel until the evening of December 5,
1995. On that date at approximately 9:30 p.m.,
Lisa arrived at Columbia HCA New Port Richey
Hospital in New Port Richey, Florida, a location
in Pasco County approximately 20 miles and 45
minutes north of where she had been staying at
the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater, Pinellas
County, Florida. Lisa was not breathing and had
no heartbeat at the time she arrived. Despite
extensive efforts, she could not be resuscitated.
Your Affiant was present during and has reviewed
the transcript of the sworn testimony of Dr.
Minkoff. Dr. Minkoff, the attending physician at
Columbia HCA New Port Richey Hospital, who is
himself a Scientologist, pronounced Lisa dead. He
testified he had spoken to Janice Johnson around
seven p.m. on December 5, 1995 about the
possibility of Lisa being driven to the hospital
for evaluation and treatment, but was shocked at
her "horrific" appearance. She appeared
to be severely dehydrated and had abrasions or
bruises on her body which he believed to be
septic petechiae.
As a result of
Lisa's death and notification of the Pinellas
Pasco Medical Examiner's Office, police were
contacted and a criminal investigation was begun.
An autopsy performed by Dr. Robert Davis (formerly
employed as an associate medical examiner in
Pinellas and Pasco Counties) revealed an embolism
of the left pulmonary artery which partially
obstructed blood flow going from the heart to the
left lung for oxygenation. The right pulmonary
artery was unobstructed. A thrombus located
behind the knee in the left popliteal vein
appeared to be the source of the pulmonary
embolus. The autopsy photos showed that Lisa
displayed the physical indicia of significant
dehydration. Your Affiant has been advised by
Chief Medical Examiner Joan Wood that subsequent
laboratory tests performed on the vitreous eye
fluid from Lisa's body confirmed that Lisa was
severely dehydrated.
Your Affiant is
further aware from talking to Chief Medical
Examiner Joan Wood that she has concluded after
viewing the body during autopsy, reviewing
autopsy photos, reviewing subpoenaed records kept
by Lisa's "caretakers" at the Ft.
Harrison Hotel and consulting with forensic and
clinical experts that Lisa's dehydration was so
severe that she would have been symptomatic for
days and virtually unresponsive for more than 24
hours prior to her death. Dr. Wood believes that
the embolism occurred as a result of the
dehydration and Lisa's resulting lethargy and
immobility. Dr. Wood does not believe that sepsis
(a condition resulting from the presence of
pathogens and their toxins in the blood) was a
significant factor in Lisa's death. Lisa's body
weighed only 108 pounds at autopsy. Dr. Wood has
further indicated that the dehydration was so
severe and life threatening that in itself it
constituted great bodily harm.
Your Affiant
states that he has reviewed police reports and
transcripts relating to the initial investigation
of Lisa McPherson's death including the taped and
transcribed interviews of Alain Kartuzinski and
Janice Johnson, both of whom were employees/paid
staff members of CSFSO. In these interviews, done
in May of 1996, both Kartuzinski and Johnson
portrayed Lisa as simply a guest at the hotel who
was there to "rest." Janice Johnson's
original statement to the Clearwater Police
detectives also indicated that "they"
were not attempting to treat her (Lisa McPherson's)
mental or physical problems, "that is not
the point of Scientology, the church does not do
that"; she suggested that if they had felt
Lisa had serious mental problems, they would have
taken her to the hospital to be evaluated, but
because she had been checked out at Morton Plant
and found not to be a danger to herself they'assumed
she was all right, She said Lisa was just upset
but was "with it." She also claimed
that Lisa was taking an herbal supplement on her
own, that no one in the Medical Liaison Office
would make recommendations of that kind. Thus,
the statements minimized the severity of Lisa's
mental illness, and omitted both their individual
and the "Church's" involvement in Lisa
being watched on a 24 hour basis, being kept
isolated from any other sources of medical or
psychological help, in not allowing Lisa to leave
her room, and in medicating her without her
consent or appropriate medical intervention.
As the
investigation continued, however, and the cause
of death became publicly known, your Affiant
became aware of and reviewed records supplied
under subpoena by the Church of Scientology and
was also present when numerous employees of CSFSO
gave sworn testimony. Your Affiant, as a result,
became aware that Lisa had been severely
psychotic by at least the second day of her stay
and continued to be psychotic until her death;
she was viewed by her caretakers as someone who
was unable to care for herself, talk coherently
or make logical decisions; she was watched by
employees on a round-the-clock basis, was
intentionally isolated by employees who removed
the phone from Lisa's room and avoided talking to
her or in her presence, never attempted to
contact Lisa's next-of-kin, repeatedly prevented
Lisa from leaving the premises, and held Lisa
down for periods of as much as an hour because
she became violent or self-destructive. Your
Affiant also learned that employees attempted to
treat Lisa's condition by inducing sleep and, in
order to accomplish this, medicated her without
her consent and without appropriate medical
supervision or authorization. All CSFSO employees
were represented by counsel and had refused to
give sworn testimony before the State Attorney's
Office until they were granted use immunity
pursuant to Chapter 914. Your Affiant states that
he has reviewed records subpoenaed from CSFSO,
and was present during the testimony of CSFSO
employee and custodian of records Glenn Steilo
who indicated that the Ft. Harrison Hotel is
owned by CSFSO, and that all the caretakers,
Medical Liaison Office employees and Alain
Kartuzinski, with the possible exception of
Sylvia DelaVega are staff members and paid
employees of the CSFSO.
Andrea Sprecher
testified in your Affiant's presence that she was
approached by Alain Kartuzinski and told to
assign Janice Johnson (who was employed by the
CSFSO in the Medical Liaison Office) to assist
full-time to the task of taking care of Lisa
McPherson. Your Affiant further learned from
numerous witnesses that other CSFSO employees
were organized on a schedule where caretakers
watched her 24 hours a day. Most of these
caretakers made written reports to Alain
Kartuzinski, Lisa's senior case supervisor, as to
her condition. Your Affiant, pursuant to
subpoenas, obtained and reviewed many of the
documents and reports that were made by
caretakers and delivered to Alain Kartuzinski. A
number of reports made by caretakers, including
any and all records relating to Lisa's condition
which were created during the last 53 hours of
her life, have been lost or destroyed by the
"Church."
From the available
records and from your Affiant's presence during
the sworn testimony of numerous "caretakers",
your Affiant learned that Lisa was described
throughout her stay as hyperactive, delusional,
and hallucinating. She further tried to harm
herself and others early in the stay, struck
caretakers, engaged in self-destructive behavior,
and had to be forcibly restrained on several
occasions to prevent injury to herself or other
caretakers. After the first week, she routinely
urinated and defecated on herself and rarely
slept. She had conversations with people who were
not there, claimed to be people she was not, sang
and danced around the room as if giving a
performance, crawled around on the floor, stood
on the toilet, got in the shower fully clothed,
tried to walk out of the room in a state of
undress, and on at least one occasion drank her
own urine. Your Affiant learned from the
testimony of caretakers and other employees that
Lisa McPherson was undergoing an isolation watch,
in the hope that her condition would improve and
stabilize, so she could undergo a Scientology
procedure known as an introspection rundown. Your
Affiant further learned that Lisa was held down
and medicated with an irrigation syringer held
down during injections of magnesium chloride,
given numerous doses of vitamins and herbal sleep
remedies and given prescription drugs even though
she was never seen by and had no patient/doctor
relationship with the prescribing physician.
Your Affiant has
found no indication that the caretakers in charge
of Lisa's welfare made any attempt to have her
mental and physical condition evaluated or
treated by a physician at any time during her
stay until her arrival at Columbia HCA New Port
Richey Hospital on December 5, 1995. Your Affiant
did learn that Janice Johnson, David Houghton,
and Alain Kartuzinski had conversations with Dr.
Minkoff in which they related to him that Lisa
was a "type three" meaning "psychotic"
and needed medication to help her sleep. Dr.
Minkoff did, in fact, presribe injectable Valium
for Lisa under David Houghton's name on November
20, 1995 and issued a second prescription for the
sedative chloral hydrate on November 29, 1995 in
Lisa's name. Dr. Minkoff had never seen or talked
to Lisa as a patient. Dr. Minkoff has testified
that he was never told the details or severity of
Lisa's mental condition and denies prescribing or
authorizing magnesium injections or the use of an
irrigating syringe to force medicate Lisa with
aspirin and Benadryl. Minkoff testified that
doing these things without physician
authorization would in his opinion be practicing
medicine.
Your Affiant
further learned from sworn, immunized testimony
of the various caretakers and other employees/staff
members of CSFSO that several of Lisa's
caretakers had some medical training. Janice
Johnson had been a practicing, licensed
anesthesiologist in Arizona specializing in
chronic pain management. Your Affiant has
reviewed her licensing file from that state and
determined that when she ran into disciplinary
trouble in the early 1990's, she surrendered her
authority to prescribe controlled substances and
in 1994 let her medical license lapse. The
Florida Board of Medicine has confirmed to your
Affiant that she has never been licensed in this
state nor has she applied for a Florida license.
Laura Arrunada, another of Lisa's caretakers from
the Medical Liaison Office, testified she had
graduated medical school in Mexico but had never
practiced. Rita Boykin testified she had
experience as a nursing assistant. Testimony
indicated that Janice Johnson had assumed a
supervisory role in caring for Lisa, visited her
on numerous occasions during her stay and issued
treatment and medication orders to other
caretakers. Moreover, the notes reflect that
Johnson was consulted by other caretakers on care
and treatment issues and was inappropriately
relied on by Dr. Minkoff.
In addition to the
above-mentioned testimony of Andrea Sprecher,
Judy Goldsberry-Weber, a subordinate of Johnson
indicated that Johnson claimed to be in charge of
Lisa's care. Weber testified that Johnson was a
deputy in the Medical Liaison Office who was
responsible for handling staff employees in their
dealings with health related professionals. Emma
Schamerhorn was the deputy Medical Liasion Office
with parallel responsibilities over non-staff
parishioners. When Lisa was allowed to leave
Morton Plant on Saturday, November 18, 1995,
Goldsberry-Weber, a subordinate of Johnson in the
CSFSO Medical Liasion Office, had promised Dr.
Lovett (who she knew from prior dealings) that
Lisa would receive necessary care. Weber
testified that she was initially told that Emma
Schamerhorn would take care of Lisa the first
night. About two days into Lisa's stay, Weber
asked Johnson how Lisa was doing. Johnson told
Weber to not ask any questions about Lisa that
Weber was no longer involved. Some days later,
she asked Janice how Lisa was doing in case she
ran into Dr. Lovett and he asked about her.
According to Weber, they wound up getting in a
screaming match after Janice said "you don't
have to worry about him, I'm in charge. Butt out."
Leslie Woodcraft
testified that on November 23, 1995, around 12:00
midnight Janice Johnson was there when Leslie
Woodcraft arrived on her watch. She described
Lisa as acting crazy at which time she observed
Janice Johnson give Lisa McPherson a small pill
that was supposed to calm her.
Patricia Stracener
and Anna Pendizini testified that on November 24,
1995 they were briefed by Alain Kartuzinski at
around 10:30 p.m., at which time he told them
about Lisa's condition and that she had been
medicated so that she would go to sleep. During
this night of their watch, Lisa woke up and began
engaging in bizarre behavior. They observed Lisa
McPherson vomit up a dark substance. They further
indicated that Janice Johnson showed up later for
about a half-hour and checked out Lisa's mouth.
She directed them to give Lisa vitamins and water.
Your Affiant
learned from the testimony of David Houghton that
on November 25, 1995 he administered a dose of
Benadryl and aspirin concoction using an
irrigating syringe while others held Lisa
McPherson down. Houghton testified he had
suggested the use of Benadryl (an antihistamine
used in over the counter sleep aids) to induce
sleep. Alain Kartuzinski forbid the use of the
Valium prescribed by Dr. Minkoff because he felt
it might prevent the use of further Scientology
procedures on Lisa. He directed, after checking
Scientology references, that aspirin be included
as it might assist in blocking Lisa's formation
of mental images. He indicates that he
successfully got her to swallow this mixture of
Benadryl and aspirin and he believes that he
mentioned this to Janice Johnson. Further, David
Houghton testified that he did not ask for
consent from Lisa McPherson or explain the
procedure to Lisa McPherson because he did not
believe that she was capable of understanding.
David Houghton further indicates that he
administered a second dose of aspirin and
Benadryl mixture on November 27, 1995. He
indicates that Lisa McPherson was also restrained
on this occasion and that she looked sweaty and
red in the face and was talking non-sequiturs. On
November 28, 1995 he administered a third and
final mixture of Benadryl and aspirin to Lisa
McPherson again using an irrigation syringe while
others held onto her...
Your Affiant
states that Judy Goldsberry-Weber, who had years
of nursing experience in Oregon before coming to
Clearwater, testified that she overheard Houghton
and others talk about Lisa being force medicated.
She felt this could only be done with a doctors
authorization and confronted Janice Johnson about
it. Johnson replied that she was in charge and to
"butt out". When Weber indicated she
thought something was wrong, Johnson said it's
not your concern. Weber indicated to Johnson that
she had never known Lisa to be violent and Janice
responded "Well, you know psychotic breaks."
Valerie Demange
testified that on November 29, 1995, she recalls
Janice Johnson giving an injection to Lisa's
buttocks. She indicates that Janice Johnson told
her it was magnesium in the shot and it was to
relax her muscles so she could get some sleep.
She further recalls Janice Johnson measuring Lisa's
respiration after the shot. During this time
frame, Valerie Demange has indicated to your
Affiant that she recalls Janice Johnson had
called someone who she claimed was a doctor, who
Demange believes to have been Dr. Minkoff, for
approval prior to this intermuscular injection.
Your Affiant has not located any prescription for
magnesium, and Dr. David Minkoff indicates that
he issued no such prescription to Lisa McPherson
or anybody connected with the Lisa McPherson
watch.
Your Affiant has
also reviewed the notes of Rita Boykin, another
of Lisa's "caretakers", which indicated
at 1:00 a.m. (apparently on Friday, December 1,
1995) Dr. Johnson just visited and said it was
not possible lor Lisa McPherson to have anymore
chloral hydrate. She further indicates that she
needed to get four more Valerian root (an herbal
remedy, which is believed to induce sleep)
capsules into her and a quart of fluid.
Your Affiant has
reviewed a memorandum in handwriting identified
in sworn testimony as that of Janice Johnson,
dated on December 1, 1995, that indicates that
Lisa was given 2mg of MgCL2 IM (two milligrams of
magnisim choloride [sic] intramuscular) at 10:30
and two 500mg chloral hydrates. Janice Johnson
further notes that Lisa's respiration was between
18 and 24 and that Lisa's extremities were cool
but not cold. This note from Janice Johnson
further directs that the "plan" is that
Lisa needs two liters of fluid within the next
eight hours and when awake they should attempt to
feed her.
On December 2,
1995, Laura Arrunada, also a staff member in the
Medical Liaison Office, indicates to your Affiant
that she gave Lisa chloral hydrate per Janice
Johnson's instructions for Lisa McPherson to
sleep. Laura indicates this was because Lisa was
too active.
Your Affiant
further learned from Rita Boykin, a caretaker,
that she also administered an intermuscular shot
to Lisa McPherson on one occasion bur does not
remember when and where in the "time stream"
that this happened. She further indicates that
Lisa McPherson didn't know what she was being
given or who approved it. Also, Rita Boykin
testified that she did not know how the syringe
and the bottle got there but assumed that Lisa
McPherson was getting it. According to a written
request prepared immediately after Lisa's death
by CSFSO employee Marcus Quirino, Boykin admitted
giving magnesium shots to Lisa including the day
of her death. He also quotes Laura Arrunada as
saying Lisa was given magnesium injections on
Saturday and that this continued over the
following two days.
Your Affiant
states that the testimony of the caretakers is
conflicting as to Lisa's physical decline over
the last five days of her life. Janice Johnson
acknowledged in her taped statement that she had
noticed Lisa's health declining and that she had
lost weight the Friday before her death. The
caretaker notes indicate that as of the following
day Lisa was too weak to stand; Heather Petzold's
testimony confirms that Lisa was too weak to walk
on Saturday. While these same witnesses have
recently indicated that Lisa improved and
regained some of her strength, there is no
documentation in the caretaker notes for Saturday
and Sunday that this occurred. The previously
mentioned report of Marcus Quirino quotes Petzold
as saying Lisa had not been active for the last
three days and that on the day of her death,
"most of the day Lisa was in bed ... not
moving, she was beathing." [sic] The
testimony as to Lisa's condition up until five p.m.
is also contradictory with some witnesses
describing her as walking and talking and others
describing her as unresponsive with eyes fixed or
unable to walk. At five p.m. her condition was
such that Laura went to notify Janice that
something was wrong.
Emma Schamerhorn
testified that she talked with Janice Johnson on
either Monday evening, December 4th, or Tuesday,
morning December 5th, and Janice looked concerned
and thought Lisa looked septic. Janet Herring
testified that she saw Janice Johnson on Tuesday,
December 5th, and talked to her about Lisa
McPherson. Janice Johnson told her that she was
worried about Lisa and that Lisa was doing worse
and she was going to take her to the hospital.
At the time
Johnson was leaving the Pt. Harrison Hotel to
take Lisa to the hospital, Paul Greenwood helped
to carry Lisa from the room to the car. He
described Lisa was breathing heavy with her eyes
open, but saw no voluntary movements made by her
nor did she even acknowledge his presence.
Dr. Minkoff
testified that he received a call around seven p.m.,
on December 5, 1995 from Johnson and possibly
Alain Kartuzinski concerning Lisa McPherson.
Johnson reminded him that it was the girl for
whom he had issued the prescription. Janice said
that Lisa had an infection and complained of a
sore throat, had had some diarrhea and lost some
weight. She requested he issue a prescription for
penicillin, which he refused to do insisting that
a doctor see Lisa. He directed her to take Lisa
to the nearest hospital if she was very ill (Morton
Plant was only a few blocks from the Ft. Harrison)
but Janice indicated Lisa was not that sick and
she would bring her to New Port Richey. However,
Lisa did not arrive at Columbia HCA New Port
Richey Hospital until two or three hours after
Janice admitted seeing her condition and almost
four and a half hours after Laura Arrunada first
sought out Janice Johnson. Your Affiant states
that this inexcusable delay in seeking emergency
help by calling for an ambulance or transporting
Lisa to a nearby hospital deprived Lisa of her
only opportunity for survival.
Church of
Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc.,
headquarters is situated in Pinellas County,
Florida. The resident agent for the Church of
Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., is
Attorney Robert Johnson at 100 North Tampa Street,
Suite 3500, Tampa, FL 33602 in Tampa,
Hillsborough County, Florida.
Your Affiant
respectfully requests the issuance of a summons
for Practicing Medicine and Abuse/Neglect of a
Disabled Adult to Church of Scientology Flag
Service Organization, Inc., a Florida Corporation.
The foregoing
instrument was A. L. Strope acknowledged before
me this Affiant 13th day of November, 1998 by A.
L. Strope, who is personally known to me or has
produced as identification and who did take an
oath.
Notary Public
County Court or
Circuit
Court Criminal Division, Pinellas County
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