Lisa McPherson Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Lisa McPherson (born Lisa Skonetski, February 10 1959–December 5 1995) was a Scientologist who died controversially while in the care of the Church of Scientology (CoS).There are regular pickets outside Church of Scientology offices around the world on or around the anniversary of her death.
A civil suit brought by her family against the Church was settled on May 28, 2004.
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2 Criminal and civil cases over McPherson's death 3 External links |
McPherson's last address was listed by the police as 210 S. Ft. Harrison in Clearwater, Florida, which is the Fort Harrison Hotel, a CoS property. McPherson had been a Scientologist from the age of 18 to her death at age 36.
On November 18, 1995, McPherson was involved in a minor car accident. She was apparently not hurt, but she got out of her car and took all her clothes off and seemed mentally unstable. She was taken to a hospital where she was physically evaluated as being unharmed, but the hospital wanted her to be psychologically cared for. However, some Scientologists arrived and stated that McPherson did not believe in psychiatry, and she checked out after a short evaluation and left with the Scientologists.
She went with them to the Fort Harrison Hotel for "rest and relaxation" according to the CoS, but CoS logs [1] from McPherson's stay there from November 18 to her death December 5 show otherwise. McPherson was put on the Introspection Rundown that the CoS uses to handle those who have had a psychotic break. Some logs are missing, and Jesse Prince, a high-ranking ex-Scientologist, wrote an affidavit [1] in which he claims that the CoS has in the past destroyed documents that might get the organization in trouble.
On December 5, 1995, she was dead on arrival at a hospital 45 minutes north of Clearwater. According to the coroner's report, she was underweight, severely dehydrated, and had bruises and bug bites [1].
The family of Lisa McPherson sued the CoS and individuals involved for wrongful death, while the CoS claimed it did nothing wrong toward McPherson.
On November 13, 1998, Scientology was indicted on 2 felony charges in McPherson's death. On December 6, 1999, prosecutor Bernie McCabe presented a response to Scientology's attempt to get the case dismissed [1].
On June 12, 2000 the criminal charges were dropped against the CoS because (so the prosecutor claims) the medical examiner, Joan Wood, could not be counted on to confidently testify, even though the criminal charges were abuse of a disabled person and practicing medicine without a license.
Scientologist OT 8 Dr. David I. Minkoff had his license suspended on August 3, 2001 for one year and was fined for prescribing medicine to McPherson at the request of her CoS caretakers without having ever seen her.
The CoS conducted a survey in the Clearwater area that shows 4 out of 5 residents have a negative opinion of Scientology. They tried to use this for a time as a reason for a change of venue, then withdrew the request. CoS web sites nevertheless claim that Scientology and Clearwater have good relations [1].
The civil suit was settled on May 28, 2004. The terms of the settlement were confidential.
The CoS now makes members sign a waiver specifically against suing the CoS over the Introspection Rundown [1].
This is an Article on Lisa McPherson. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Lisa McPherson Introspection Rundown and death
Criminal and civil cases over McPherson's death
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