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Description of video is in italics. VO = VOICEOVER
TOM BROKAW: Once again tonight, the Church of Scientology is embroiled in controversy. This time, it involves the mysterious death of one of its members, a young woman whom some say was desperately trying to leave that church. More now from NBC’s Kerry Sanders.
caption saying "MATTER OF FAITH?", photos of Lisa
VOICEOVER: For 18 years, Lisa McPherson was a member of the Church of Scientology. But in late 1995 her family and friends say she became disillusioned. They say she wanted out of the church that some critics call a cult. That’s when church members say the Texas native began to act unusually.
footage of traffic in Clearwater; CoS buildings
VO: She was picked up by paramedics after a traffic accident walking naked on the streets of Clearwater, FL. Clearwater is world headquarters of the Church of Scientology, which moved here in 1975 and today owns much of the downtown area.
Fort Harrison Hotel; Dell Liebreich, Lisa McPherson’s aunt
VO: McPherson was taken to this converted hotel. In accordance with Scientology teachings, she was isolated in a room. Her family says her isolation was more like imprisonment.
Lisa’s autopsy photos
VO: The pictures of her arms show bruises and cuts. The church says those are cockroach bites; her family says they were caused by the ropes used to tie her down.*
Ken Dandar in his office
VO: Her lawyer says church members wouldn’t give her water and wouldn’t take her to a hospital for help.
KEN DANDAR, MCPHERSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: So when you see someone who needs help and you just sit back and you fold your hands and you just not do anything, then you cross the line of negligence, and now you’re into an intentional act.
CoS building
VO: The church says its members did nothing wrong.
Sandy Weinberg in his office
SANDY WEINBERG, CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY ATTORNEY: There is absolutely not a scintilla of evidence in this case from one person who has said that she was tied up or restrained. In fact, the evidence is just the opposite.
Dell Liebrich
VO: Dell Liebreich is Lisa McPherson’s aunt. She is now suing the church, claiming the death of her niece was part of a conspiracy.
DELL LIEBREICH: To me, it’s just a cult; it’s a brainwashing, mind-controlling cult.
KERRY SANDERS, ON CAMERA: Despite its overwhelming presence in this city, the church has never successfully integrated itself in the community. Tonight some critics say the death of Lisa McPherson could be the undoing of this unwelcome religion. Kerry Sanders, NBC News, Clearwater, FL.
*--Last sentence typed verbatim.
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