Oklahoma Judge Rules Attorney Can See Narconon Investigation Report

News On 6, Oklahoma/September 23, 2014

McAlester, Oklahoma --- A select few will know what investigators found inside the walls of a controversial Oklahoma drug rehab facility where three patients died.

A judge ruled Friday attorneys suing Narconon Arrowhead should see the investigators' report, but the patients' families are still fighting for the report to be made public.

A father's grief has become his mission. Robert Murphy's daughter Stacy, is one of three patients who died in rehab at Narconon Arrowhead in less than a year's time.

“I see God's blessing even in our loss,” he said. “It doesn't take the pain away, but it definitely puts purpose to it.”

Stacy's death was ruled an overdose, but her father says employees at the Scientology-based facility knew his daughter was on the verge of an O.D., but let her die.

The two other deaths remain a mystery. The medical examiner could never figure how Gabriel Graves or Hilary Holten died.

“Knowing they're still open and operating and still doing the same things that they're doing to the public, it's something I can't accept. They have to be closed,” Murphy said.

The State Department of Mental Health starting investigating in July 2012. The results of that probe have never been made public.

Both investigators on the case claim they were fired because they wouldn't agree to keep the results secret.

In a lawsuit, those investigators claim their report suggested Narconon be shut down for breaking state laws.

In a search for the truth for the families he represents, Attorney Gary Richardson subpoenaed the results.

“It's all a search for the truth,” he said. “Exactly what went on, has gone on and is going on down at Narconon Arrowhead.”

The state said statutes prohibit it from turning over the records, but the lawsuit by the investigators claim the state tried to hide its findings for fear of a legal battle with the Church of Scientology.

“They need to answer some questions. They need to answer to why this report was buried,” said Murphy.

A judge ruled the report should be released as long as patient names are taken off and only the attorneys see it.

It's a decision Murphy says brings him one step closer to justice.

“It will give us some sense of purpose of her life, her losing her life that it didn't go for not,” he said. “There's good that come out of it.”

The families have sued Narconon for the deaths of their children.

Richardson said unless they settle out of court, their case will likely go to trial next year. He said that's when the public could learn more about what the investigation uncovered.

In a statement, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services said:

“We are complying with the court's directive and are providing any and all relevant materials. The department received a request for information that by law it could not release without a court order. In this instance, the judge determined that it would be possible to provide materials and redact identifying information. The judge also issued a protective order and sealed those records so that they would be used solely for the purpose of the lawsuit filed against Narconon, and not released publicly or to anyone else.”

Narconon said:

“Narconon Arrowhead's interest is and has been to protect the privacy rights of its students and other non-parties. The judge made it clear that he shared this concern when he ordered their names deleted and severely restricted the dissemination of whatever records the Department of Mental Health ultimately produces to the lawyers involved in the case.”

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