Jury selection begins in Arizona sweat lodge case

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. – Jury selection is under way in the trial of a motivational speaker accused in the deaths of three people in Arizona.

James Arthur Ray has pleaded not guilty to three counts of manslaughter, stemming from a sweat lodge ceremony he led near Sedona in October 2009.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys have spent the past few weeks narrowing the list of potential jurors.

Prosecutors contend Ray recklessly crammed more than 50 people inside a sweltering sweat lodge and admonished them for wanting to leave.

Ray's attorneys say the deaths were a tragic accident and Ray is not to blame.

Opening statements are set for March 1 in Camp Verde.

The judge overseeing the case says he'll see if an impartial jury can be seated before ruling on a change of venue motion.