Dismissal Attempt -- Day Two

4/6/00

Once again the Scientologists packed the courtroom as arguments were made by the church's attorney to have the criminal case dismissed.  

Assistant State Attorney Doug Crow

Judge Susan F. Schaeffer laid into both sides with tough questions, first asking Assistant State Attorney Doug Crow to explain why the church was charged with Lisa's death and not individuals.  Crow described the painstaking process of interviewing the church staff and members, none of whom willingly provided information and none of whom could pinpoint who exactly was in charge of the decision making process for Lisa's care.  This, along with blatant destruction of evidence and other important factors, led to the state's decision.

Lee Fugate

Then Scientology Attorney Lee Fugate was raked over the coals when the judge asked him "With all this money the church has, why don't they have a LICENSED medical practitioner at the Fort Harrison Hotel to watch over the people in the Introspection Rundown?"  Fugate explained that they have reached agreements with all the area hospitals.  This agreement says that none of the hospitals will give psychiatric treatment or psychotropic drugs to any Scientologist who has been admitted for care.  The judge refused to let him dodge the question and repeated it several more times.  "With all the money the church has...Is there now a licensed medical doctor at the Fort Harrison?"  Finally, Fugate escaped the question by saying there was a team of medical people standing by.

My favorite moment came when Doug Crow started to read a portion from L. Ron Hubbard's "Introduction of Scientology Ethics" pertaining to the treatment and handling of PTS Type III's.  The Scientology attorney leapt to his feet outraged that the state dared to read from the church's sacred scriptures.  What a shameful violation of their first amendment rights he proclaimed.  The judge said "Wait a minute.  This is the book which you entered into evidence and wanted me to read.  In fact you put a flag here on the very page from which Mr. Crow is reading.  You can't have it both ways."

By far, the Scientologists favorite moment came when the judge castigated the press for their coverage of the previous day.  In speaking with Crow about the cause of death, she made Crow state that Lisa died of an embolism.  Schaeffer said, "We both agree she died of an embolism, don't we?  Let's make that perfectly clear because we spent the entire day yesterday going over that fact and then I read in the St. Pete Times that she died of dehydration.  Let make this clear so the press gets it right."  This was greeted with howls of laughter and a loud round of applause.

In the end, the judge has decided she will need time to make her decision and it may be a month before a ruling is announced.