Self-help author wants sweat lodge death convictions overturned

By The Associated Press

CREATED Jul. 20, 2012

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PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) -- Attorneys for a self-help author imprisoned for the deaths of three people following an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony have laid out arguments to have the convictions overturned.
  
James Arthur Ray, who led the October 2009 ceremony, is serving two years in prison for the deaths.
  
The Daily Courier (http://bit.ly/SLuRfb ) reports that the opening brief filed with the Arizona Court of Appeals this week alleges violations of state law in jury instructions and prosecutorial misconduct.
  
A jury convicted Ray on three counts of negligent homicide last year.
  
Ray's attorneys are asking the appellate court to overturn the convictions with prejudice or order a new trial.
  
Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk says she has full confidence in the state attorney general's office to rebut the claims.