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Ariz. Sweat Lodge Trial Resumes After 2-Week Break

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. (AP) -- A self-help author's manslaughter trial resumes Thursday after a 2-week break.

James Arthur Ray has pleaded not guilty in the deaths of three people stemming from a sweat lodge ceremony he led near Sedona.

Prosecutors have about 10 witnesses to call before the defense presents its case.

Two of the participants in the October 2009 ceremony are scheduled to testify this week, Brandy Rainey and Mark Rock.

In police interviews, Rainey has said she believed the number of heated rocks brought inside the sweat lodge and a lack of air circulation caused participants to become ill.

Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman lost consciousness and died.

A defense attorney's out-of-town commitment led to the break in the trial that began in mid-February. It's scheduled to end June 21.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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