Witness Says He Built Up Trust Of Self-Help Author

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (AP) -- A man who emerged from a northern Arizona sweat lodge ceremony screaming that he didn't want to die will resume testimony Thursday.

A volunteer for James Arthur Ray's "Spiritual Warrior" event told jurors earlier this week that Dennis Mehravar left the ceremony around the third of eight rounds screaming.

Jennifer Haley says Ray assured Mehravar he would be OK but never checked on him.

Mehravar testified Wednesday that he learned to trust Ray through events he attended.

Three people died following the October 2009 ceremony that Ray led near Sedona. He has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

Prosecutors say Ray recklessly crammed the participants inside the sweltering structure and discouraged them from leaving, even as people became ill.

Ray's attorneys say the deaths were a tragic accident, not a crime.

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