1985 Rajneeshee assassination plot

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1985 Rajneeshee assassination plot
1985 Rajneeshee assassination plot
The Gus J. Solomon United States Courthouse in Portland.
Location Portland, Oregon
Flag of the United States United States
Coordinates 45°30′57″N 122°40′35″W / 45.51583, -122.67639Coordinates: 45°30′57″N 122°40′35″W / 45.51583, -122.67639
Date 1985
Attack type Conspiracy to commit assassination
Perpetrator(s) Ma Anand Sheela, Alma Potter, Sally-Anne Croft, Susan Hagan, Phyllis McCarthy, Catherine Jane Stork, Richard Langford

The 1985 Rajneeshee assassination plot was a conspiracy by high-ranking followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (now known as Osho) to assassinate Charles Turner, the then-United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. Osho's chief lieutenant, Ma Anand Sheela, assembled the hit squad after Turner was appointed to investigate illegal activity at Rajneeshpuram. Turner headed an investigation into the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in The Dalles, Oregon, and also investigated charges of wiretapping, immigration fraud and sham marriages.

The hit squad included: Sally-Anne Croft, Chief Financial Officer of Rajneeshpuram; Susan Hagan, head of security at Rajneeshpuram, Catherine Jane Stork, who bought weapons and silencers and volunteered to be the actual killer; Phyllis McCarthy, fourth-in-command of Rajneeshpuram; and co-conspirators Alma Potter and Richard Langford. The conspirators obtained false identification to purchase handguns out-of-state, stalked Turner, and planned to kill him near his workplace in Portland, Oregon. The assassination plot was uncovered as a result of an investigation by federal law enforcement into the bioterror attack in The Dalles, and Turner was never harmed.

Prosecution of the conspirators began in 1990, when a federal grand jury brought indictments against several of the key players. Some had fled the country, and extradition proceedings against the perpetrators and subsequent prosecution and conviction was not completed for sixteen years. The final conspirator was convicted in 2006, when Catherine Jane Stork agreed to return to the United States from Germany in order to be allowed to visit her ill son in Australia. The perpetrators received sentences ranging from five years probation to five years in federal prison.

Contents

[edit] Planning

Seven Rajneeshees, or followers of charismatic leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (now known as Osho), were convicted of a 1985 conspiracy to assassinate Charles Turner.[1][2] Prosecutors in the case stated that the perpetrators had planned to murder Turner after he was appointed to head an investigation into the group's activities in Rajneeshpuram, Oregon.[3][2] Turner's investigation focused on sham marriages organized by the group, as well as other illegal activities including wiretapping, immigration fraud, and the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in The Dalles, Oregon.[2] In December 1985, twenty-one followers of Osho were indicted on wiretapping charges.[4] Turner was assisted in his investigation by Oregon Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer.[5]

In May 1985, Osho's chief lieutenant Ma Anand Sheela gathered the leader's key followers and formed a hit squad in order to plan the assassination of Turner, as well as several dissidents among their organization.[2] Sheela stated that Turner's grand jury investigation "threatened the existence of the commune," and exposed Osho and several of his disciples to criminal prosecution.[6] Catherine Jane Stork volunteered to be the follower who would actually kill Turner, and bought guns and silencers.[2] Stork was known to fellow followers as Ma Shanti Bhadra, and was also one of the three "Big Mammas" in Rajneeshpuram.[7] Sally-Anne Croft (known by followers as Ma Prem Savita), an accountant and the group's Chief Financial Officer, provided money for the purchase of weapons related to the plot.[8][9] Susan Hagan, a top official in the Rajneeshpuram hierarchy, was also a participant in the assassination conspiracy.[9] Hagan was in charge of the security force at Rajneeshpuram, ran the Rajneesh Investment Corporation, and supervised construction on the commune.[10][11] Osho follower Carol Matthews used a fake name during the planning of the assassination plot, in an attempt to obtain the home address of Charles Turner.[12]

Two members of the group traveled to Texas to purchase handguns.[13] They encountered difficulty purchasing handguns in Texas with out-of-state identification, and traveled to New Mexico instead.[13] In New Mexico, they obtained false identification, and purchased several pistols.[13] Members of the hit squad watched Turner's office, home and car, and discussed methods to assassinate him, hoping that his death would hinder the efforts of the federal investigation into Rajneeshpuram.[14] Their plan was to shoot Turner in the garage of the federal office building where he worked, in Portland, Oregon.[13][15]

[edit] Prosecutions

The assassination plot was uncovered by federal law enforcement as a result of an investigation into the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack, and subsequent investigation into activities at Rajneeshpuram.[16][14] Turner was never physically harmed, and had retired by 1995.[10]

Four of the perpetrators were arrested in September 1990, and indictments were brought against Ma Anand Sheela and six other co-conspirators by a federal grand jury in November 1990.[17][18] Ma Anand Sheela served twenty-nine months in a minimum security federal prison for charges related to assault, attempted murder, arson, wiretapping and the 1984 bioterror attack in The Dalles, and moved to Switzerland after her release from prison in 1988.[19] The assassination conspiracy was discovered after Sheela had left the United States, and as of 1999 she was still wanted by federal law enforcement for her role in the plot, and risked extradition if she crossed the Swiss border.[19] Switzerland declined an extradition request from the United States, and instead tried her in a Swiss court.[14] Sheela was found guilty of "criminal acts preparatory to the commission of murder" in 1999, and sentenced to time already served.[14][20]

Catherine Jane Stork was convicted of the attempted murder of Osho's physician in 1986, and served almost three years in jail.[2] After her release, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation uncovered the plot to assassinate Turner, but Stork had already fled to Germany.[2] She was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1990.[21] In 1991, the German government refused to extradite Stork back to the United States.[6][2] In July 1991, Carol Matthews entered a guilty plea and was convicted in federal court.[12]

Sally-Anne Croft and Susan Hagan were extradited from Britain in 1994 and convicted in 1995 for their roles in the assassination plot.[19] They had unsuccessfully attempted to appeal their extradition from Britain to Home Secretary Michael Howard.[22] During their trial the prosecution presented twenty-nine witnesses, including former followers of Osho who placed both women in planning meetings where they discussed murdering Turner.[9] David Berry Knapp, the former mayor of Rajneeshpuram, (known to Osho followers as Swami Krishna Deva) testified for the government in the case and implicated Croft and Hagan in the assassination conspiracy.[23] Ava Avalos, also an Osho disciple, testified in the Croft case and stated that she had been part of the hit squad that plotted to assassinate Turner.[24] In addition to Knapp and Avalos, co-conspirators Richard Langford, Phyllis Caldwell, and Alma Peralta testified in the case pursuant to conditional plea or immunity agreements.[11] Both women were sentenced to five years in prison.[8][25] At the sentencing for Croft and Hagan, the federal Judge Malcolm Marsh described them as "people of obvious goodwill who had committed an extremely serious offense against the criminal justice system."[8] Prosecutor Tim Reardon called the conspiracy to commit assassination "a deadly serious crime aimed at the heart of the criminal justice system."[8] Croft and Hagan were released from a Dublin, California prison in April 1998, and returned to Britain.[19][26]

In December 2002, Phyllis McCarthy pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, and was sentenced to one year in jail and a fine of USD$10,000.[27][28][29] McCarthy had served as fourth-in-command of Rajneeshpuram, and was known by Osho's followers as Ma Yoga Vidya.[29] Turner called the one year prison sentence "laughable."[29] In court statements, McCarthy stated "I cannot forgive myself for not being tougher at the time," and called her time with the group "psychological torture."[27]

In February 2006, Stork became the last perpetrator sentenced in the political assassination plot, after ten months of negotiations with Oregon prosecutors.[2] Stork offered to turn herself in and return to the United States after learning of her son's terminal brain tumor.[2] Prior to sentencing, the court allowed her to travel to Australia to visit her son.[30] In addition to charges of conspiracy to commit murder, Stork also pled guilty to the purchase of weapons in violation of federal firearms law.[6] An Oregon judge sentenced her to five year's probation, and three months time already served in a German jail.[31][2][6] Turner thought she should have received a harsher sentence, and commented "This was a lying-in-wait conspiracy to murder me, a presidential appointee, and for a long time I slept with a loaded gun beside my bed."[2] Though Stork could have faced life in prison, U.S. District Judge Judge Malcolm F. Marsh thought she had "seen the error of her ways."[6] A federal prosecutor in the case described Stork as the "MVP" of the conspiracy, and said she was the designated assassin that was set to murder Turner.[6] After her sentencing, Stork stated: "I actually conspired to kill Mr. Turner, it is up to me alone to face this terrible truth ... No person has the right to do what I did. I'm truly sorry."[6] Stork returned to Germany after her sentencing.[6]

[edit] Convictions

Conspiracy to assassinate a United States Attorney
Perpetrator Conviction Sentence
Alma Potter (aka Alma Peralta) Convicted in Oregon in 1990 Sentenced to two years in prison.[29]
Richard Langford Convicted in Oregon in 1990 Sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to murder.[11]
Sally-Anne Croft (aka Ma Prem Savita), Chief Financial Officer at Rajneeshpuram Convicted in Oregon in 1995 Sentenced to five years in federal prison, released in April 1998.[19][8]
Susan Hagan, Rajneeshpuram head of security Convicted in Oregon in 1995 Sentenced to five years in federal prison, released in April 1998.[19][8]
Ma Anand Sheela, Osho's chief lieutenant (aka Sheela Silverman, Sheela Birnstiel) Convicted in a Swiss court in 1999 Sentenced to time served.[2][20]
Phyllis McCarthy, fourth-in-command of Rajneeshpuram (aka Ma Yoga Vidya) Convicted in Oregon in 2002 Sentenced to one year in jail and a USD$10,000 fine.[29]
Catherine Jane Stork (aka Catherine Jane Stubbs, Ma Shanti Bhadra) Convicted in Oregon in 2006 Received five years probation.[2]
Additional eighth commune member Pled guilty to murder conspiracy in 1990 Was not indicted.[20]
Wiretapping, and other charges, testified in assassination case
Perpetrator Conviction Sentence
Ava Avalos Complete immunity from prosecution, May 1990 Required to testify in U.S. v. Croft, on condition that false testimony would result in rescinding the immunity agreement.[11]
David Berry Knapp (aka Swami Krishna Deva) Plea deal in 1990, in exchange for testimony in U.S. v. Croft Received two years in prison for making false statements.[11]
Phyllis Caldwell Plea deal in 1990, in exchange for testimony in U.S. v Croft Five years probation following guilty plea to wiretapping.[11]

[edit] See also

Criminal justice Portal
Oregon Portal
Politics Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ Staff. "Good riddance to Rajneeshpuram", Yakima Herald-Republic, September 30, 2005. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McKenna, Michael. "Mercy for expat in US kill plot", The Austalian, February 2, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  3. ^ Staff. "FED: Perth-born Orange follower avoids jail over US kill plot", AAP General News, Australian Associated Press, February 2, 2006. 
  4. ^ Staff. "21 Disciples of Guru Indicted On Wiretaps", Boston Globe, December 21, 1985. 
  5. ^ Morell, Ricki; Tex O'Neill, Jim Walser, Linda Brown. "U.S. Seeks Detention of Guru: Prosecutors Request No Bond Before Trial", Charlotte Observer, November 1, 1985, pp. Page 1A. 
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Parker, Jim; Pat Dooris, Associated Press. "Final Rajneeshee sentenced in murder plot", Northwest NewsChannel 8, KGW, January 30, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  7. ^ Pais, Arthur J.. "Rajneesh acolyte pleads guilty to murder conspiracy charge", India Abroad, October 7, 2005. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f Staff; Reuters. "Two Former Rajineesh Followers Get Five Years for Conspiracy", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, December 3, 1995. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  9. ^ a b c Staff. "2 Ex-Cultists Guilty in Plot on U.S. Official", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, July 29, 1995. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  10. ^ a b Usborne, David. "Target of sect plot accuses Britain of bias", The Independent, July 30, 1995. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f U.S. v. Croft, 124 F.3d 1109 (C.A.9 (Or.), 1997), United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Decided September 5, 1997
  12. ^ a b Painter Jr., John. "Former Bhagwan Follower Convicted", The Oregonian, July 16, 1991, pp. Pg. B01. 
  13. ^ a b c d Tucker, Jonathan B. (2000). Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons. MIT Press, Page 136. ISBN 0262700719. 
  14. ^ a b c d Larabee, Mark. "Two Rajneeshee members plead guilty: Sally-Anne Croft and Susan Hagan return to the United States to face 15-year-old wiretapping charges", The Oregonian, December 16, 2000. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  15. ^ Staff. "Assassination Plot Detailed", St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 1, 1991, pp. Page 2A. 
  16. ^ Carter, Lewis F.; Ernest Q. Campbell, contributor (1990). Charisma and Control in Rajneeshpuram. Cambridge University Press, Pages 202-257. ISBN 0521385547. 
  17. ^ Staff. "Guru's Disciples Charged", The Washington Post, The Washington Post Company, September 16, 1990. 
  18. ^ Painter, Jr., John. "Indictment Outlines Plot to Murder U.S. Attorney", The Oregonian, November 2, 1990, pp. Page A01. 
  19. ^ a b c d e f Senior, Jeanie. "Anand Sheela tends patients in Switzerland: The former spokeswoman for Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh works in two private nursing homes", The Oregonian, December 26, 1999. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  20. ^ a b c Staff. "Catherine Jane Stubbs Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Kill U.S. Attorney in Oregon in 1985", United States Department of Justice, September 26, 2005, pp. #05-502. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  21. ^ Staff. "Cult member admits murder plot", SBS Australia, September 27, 2005. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  22. ^ Staff; Reuters. "Britain Rejects Bid To Avoid Extradition", Rocky Mountain News, April 1, 1994. 
  23. ^ Staff; Reuters. "Ex-Cult Town Mayor Tells of Murder Plot: Two Rajneesh Followers Implicated In Alleged Plan to Kill Federal Prosecutor", Rocky Mountain News, July 7, 1995. 
  24. ^ Staff. "Rajneeshees' Plot to Kill Detailed", Spokane Spokesman-Review, July 11, 1995. 
  25. ^ Staff. "Guru's Followers Get 5 Years In Plot to Kill U.S. Attorney", The Washington Post, The Washington Post Company, December 2, 1995. 
  26. ^ Staff. "Two Rajneesh Followers Released From Prison and May Be Deported", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 1, 1998. 
  27. ^ a b Staff; Associated Press. "Last fugitive in case against Oregon cult members appears in court: A cult leader of the defunct Rajneesh Ranch in central Oregon pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to murder a U.S. Attorney and was sentenced to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.", CNN, December 21, 2002. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  28. ^ Staff. "Former Rajneesh cult leader receives prison sentence", Consumer Health Digest, National Council Against Health Fraud, December 31, 2002, pp. #02-53. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  29. ^ a b c d e Suo, Steve. "Ex-Rajneeshee pleads guilty in conspiracy: But Turner, the intended victim, was not so satisfied when contacted about the plea", Oregon Live, December 21, 2002. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  30. ^ Callimachi, Rukmini. "Last of the Rajneeshees pleads guilty", Associated Press, September 27, 2005. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 
  31. ^ Staff. "Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh disciple gets probation in murder plot", The Seattle Times, January 31, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-01-07. 

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