Scientology suit grows

Tampa Tribune 9 December 1997

Scientology suit grows

TAMPA - Lisa McPherson's estate has amended its wrongful death lawsuit against the Church of Scientology to name six additional defendants

Kennan Dandar, the lawyer for the estate of the 36-year-old woman who died in December 1995, added AMC Publishing Co., McPherson's Scientology- owned employer, and her supervisor, Bennetta Slaughter, as defendants in an amended complaint filed late Thursday

The estate also named as defendants Alain Karuzinski, who managed the handling of McPherson at Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater after she had a mental breakdown; Janis Johnson and David Houghton, who are unlicensed doctors; and emergency room physician David Minkoff, who tried to revive her the night she died

The lawsuit contends McPherson was held against her will in total isolation at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel as part of a technique called the ``Introspection Rundown.''

An autopsy found she died of a blood clot brought on by ``severe dehydration and bed rest.''

In addition to compensatory damages, the lawsuit seeks ``substantial'' punitive damages

Pinellas prosecutors are expected to decide soon whether charges should be brought against the church or any of its members.