Scientology

Tampa Tribune
By DAVID SOMMER>
Mar 3, 2000

CLEARWATER - The Church of Scientology wants a judge to remove himself from the criminal case stemming from the death of Lisa McPherson.

Pasco-Pinellas Circuit Judge Brandt Downey, who in February inherited the case from another judge, is a mental health advocate formally associated with lawyers who represented church critics, contend church lawyers.

McPherson, 36, died in December 1995 after spending 17 days inside the church's spiritual headquarters, the Fort Harrison Hotel in downtown Clearwater.

The church's Flag Service Organization, which operates the hotel, is facing charges of practicing medicine without a license and abuse of a disabled adult. Downey was assigned the case after the previous judge, Chief Circuit Judge Susan Schaeffer, went on medical leave.

Prosecutors contend McPherson was denied licensed physical and mental health care and instead was restrained and force-fed prescription medication before her death from a blood clot in the lungs.

Before her 17-day stay at the hotel, McPherson was involved in a minor traffic accident. Police took her to a downtown Clearwater hospital after she disrobed and began walking down the street. McPherson quickly checked out of the hospital after church officials intervened.

In their motion filed Thursday, church attorneys contend Downey may be biased by his beliefs and former associations.

Scientologists are "adamantly opposed to the practices of psychiatry and psychology," according to Mary Story, a vice president of the Flag Service Organization.

Downey is active in mental health organizations, and his former law partners were active opponents of the church, Story alleges in an affidavit.

The judge said he will consider the motion this morning.