From: xenurules@hotmail.com
Subject: Reuters-02-23:Death of Florida Scientologists rules an accident
Date: 2000/02/23
Message-ID: <891l8l$g9v$1@nnrp1.deja.com>#1/1
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology


Death of Florida Scientologist ruled an accident


CLEARWATER, Fla. (Reuters) - A Florida medical examiner has revised her
report on how a Church of Scientology member died in 1995 while in the
church's care, ruling the death was an accident, her lawyer said
Wednesday.

Lisa McPherson died on December 5, 1995, after 17 days of treatment by
Church of Scientology members at the church's headquarters in
Clearwater.

In 1998, the Pinellas County prosector filed criminal charges of abuse
of a disabled person and unauthorized practice of medicine against the
church but did not charge any individuals. A trial is scheduled to
begin in October.

The initial report by Pinellas County Medical Examiner Joan Wood called
the cause of McPherson's death undetermined but said severe dehydration
was a factor.

Wood agreed to review her report after the church submitted tests and
other material challenging her findings.

``She (Wood) reviewed additional material and made the change,'' said
Wood's attorney Jeffrey Goodis.

Prosecutors said they were reviewing the new report to determine its
impact on the case. If the church is found guilty of one or both of the
charges, it would have to pay a fine.

McPherson, 36, came under church care on November 18, 1995 after she
was involved in a minor traffic accident in Clearwater. After the
accident, she took off all her clothes and asked paramedics for help.

She was taken to a local hospital but left a few hours later with
several Scientologists. On December 5, she was taken to another
hospital where she was pronounced dead.

McPherson had been a Scientologist for 13 years and had taken several
church courses in Clearwater.

At a court hearing last year, Assistant State Attorney Doug Crow called
McPherson's treatment at the Scientology headquarters ``bizarre'' and
``disturbing''.

Attorneys for the church said the criminal charges should be dismissed
because they violate constitutional freedom of religion protections.
They say the church was not responsible for McPherson's death.

A separate civil wrongful death suit by McPherson's estate against the
church is also pending.

15:10 02-23-00

Copyright 2000 Reuters


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