Ecuador: Trial Set for Shaman in Death of U.S. Citizen Leslie Allison during ayahuasca cermony

Hearing of the case for the death of Leslie Allison will be in Macas Morona Santiago Province Ecuador
VISTAZO.COM reported the following on March 24, 2017

1. Leslie Allison a U.S. citizen died during an ayahuasca ceremony on January 14, 2016, in Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago Province, Ecuador.

2. A trial hearing is set in the province against Miguel Chiriap a Shaman who was conducting a ceremony at the time of her death. (Hearing is scheduled for Thursday March 30th, 2017 at the Criminal Guarantees Court in Macas, Ecuador. He has been charged with manslaugher (homicidio culposo).

3. Juan Gabriel Peralta, a lawyer for Leslie Allison’s family, states that the evidence is compelling against Mr. Chiriap and expects that a judgement will be confirmed.

4. If found gulty for manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter, Mr. Chiriap could face a three to five year prison sentence. iF The penalty for manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter is 3 to 5 years imprisonment. 15 experts are scheduled to testify at the trial. During the trial it will be presented that Ms. Allison died as a result of a blow to two broken vertebrae.

5. Leslie Allsion was party of a ayahuasca tour along with 31 other tourists in Gualaquiza, Morona Santiago, Ecuador. The purpose of the tour was to participate in a Shuar traditional ceremony called Natemamu. The process inovles consuming liters of ayahuasca beverage over a four day ritual.

6. According to the article by Vistazo.com, witnesses state Leslie Allison reacted badly to the ayahuasca which is a hallucinogen. The witnesses also revealed after this reaction, the victim was separated from the group by the shaman Miguel Chiriap. The following morning, he informed other participants that Leslie Allison had died.

7. The defense attorney for Miguel Chiriap claims that the blows to her body were self inflicted. He also claims that she was taking a sedative which caused convulsions that contributed to the blows on her body.

8. The attorney believes the defendant is innocent and that the Shaman he describes as a sage will be vindicated. The defense believes Mr. Chiriap fulfilled his duty according to the “wisdom of his culture” to help a persona who was on a personal search.

9. The victim’s family has stated they are concerned in that the original prosecutor in the case was replaced and this may affect the outcome of the trial. The original prosecutor well informed of the physical evidence and witnesses whereas the newer prosecutor has only the written documents at his disposal.

10. Houston-based KTRK, a network affiliated with ABC News, ran a report on the the criminal case and that progress has been hampered cue to changes in hearing dates, tax changes and the current politial situation in Ecuador. Read Full Article at Vistazo.com

U.S. Citizen Dies in Ecuador During Ayahuasca Ceremony

The Strange Death of Leslie Allison (Vistazo.com – machine translated)

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