Arizona Detective Testifies In Sweat Lodge Case
CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Yavapai County sheriff's detective who led the investigation into a self-help author's sweat lodge ceremony says he did not jump to conclusions as the defense has asserted.
Ross Diskin took the stand for a third day Wednesday in James Arthur Ray's manslaughter trial.
Ray has pleaded not guilty to the deaths of three people stemming from an October 2009 ceremony he led near Sedona.
Defense attorney Tom Kelly attacked Diskin's investigation by saying he never followed up on indications that toxins or poisons contributed to the deaths.
Diskin says the evidence did not point in that direction.
Diskin's testimony routinely was interrupted by objections from both sides that frustrated the judge.
Attorneys wrangled over what he was qualified to testify about and other legal matters.
The trial resumes Friday.
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