Sweat Lodge Leader's Trial Begins

James Arthur Ray faces 3 counts of manslaughter.

Jury selection is under way in the trial of a Carlsbad motivational speaker, accused in the deaths of three people in Arizona.

James Arthur Ray pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter last year.

The charges stem from a sweat lodge ceremony he led near Sedona in 2009.

Three people collapsed and died during the ceremony. Prosecutors say Ray crammed more than 50 people inside the sweat lodge. They say he pressured them to stay, even after people started vomiting and passing out.

If convicted, Ray could face up to 12 years in prison.

 

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