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NEWSCASTER (monitor in background has Scieno crossed out cross, a picture of Lisa McPherson and the caption "Death: Accidental): There's a new twist in the case of Scientologist Lisa McPherson. The medical examiner who once declared her cause of death as "undetermined" has changed course and now says McPherson's death was an accident. Tampa Bay 28's Peter Bernard shows you why the new ruling could cast doubt on pending cases.
picture of Lisa McPherson; Scieno building; medical examiner's report; Scieno building
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: 36-year-old Lisa McPherson died after being cared for by fellow Scientologists at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. The new ruling that her death was an accident casts doubt on the two felony charges the church is facing in a civil complaint filed by McPherson's family.
blue screen with white print saying "Church Of Scientology"; inside is white scrap with black print saying "Her death was sudden."; another white scrap with black print saying, "Her death was sudden. Her death was unpredictable. It was undiagnosable. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT"
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: The church released a statement saying Lisa's death was sudden, unpredictable, undiagnosable, and it reiterates the new findings saying it was an accident.
outside Pinellas County medical examiner's office; Scieno building
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: But church critics say the medical examiner's change of heart does not shield Scientology from accusations of wrongdoing.
STACY BROOKS (caption--"Stacy Brooks, Lisa McPherson Trust"): I don't think it's gonna cast any doubt in the prosecutors' minds, they're pretty clear on what happened; but I think it may make it difficult for them to carry on with the prosecution, which is really unfortunate.
outside LMT building; close-up of sign in door saying, "The Lisa McPherson Trust, LMT Media"
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: Brooks is president of the Lisa McPherson Trust, an anti-Scientology group funded by outspoken critic Robert Minton.
STACY BROOKS: There are many, many, many people that would like to see, uh, the Church of Scientology brought to justice for this, um, tragic death of this woman.
framed photograph of Lisa McPherson; autopsy photos of Lisa McPherson's hands and arms
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: The McPherson family attorney also believes his civil case can press on. He says there's still evidence of beatings, dehydration and bites from insects.
Lisa McPherson's death certificate; Scieno buildings; more pictures of Lisa
PETER BERNARD--VOICE OF: The review of medical evidence comes after Scientology-paid experts presented their findings. Church leaders feel prosecutors need to review the case now that the McPherson death has been ruled an accident. Peter Bernard, 28 Tampa Bay News.
NEWSCASTER: We called the prosecutor's office to get reaction to this latest ruling but did not get a call back by news time.
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