Court finds schizophrenic teen not responsible for killing at Aussie Scientology HQ

Two big takeaways this morning from the news in Australia that a schizophrenic 16-year-old was found not responsible for his 2019 killing of a security guard at Scientology’s new “Advanced Org” in a Sydney suburb:

— Our initial hunch that this was an “Elli Perkins” incident was spot on.

— And Scientology owes Leah Remini a huge apology. (Which it won’t give.)

Australia’s ABC news network has a lengthy story about a special Supreme Court hearing which found that the January 3, 2019 death of Scientology security guard Chih-Jen Yeh was a tragic result of a teenager’s mental illness.

As we had learned earlier, the teenager, a Taiwanese national, was in the country because his mother was at the Advanced Org, which had been opened in September 2016 in Chatswood, a Sydney suburb, after the church had paid some $30 million to rehabilitate a national sound laboratory there. The facility was designed for wealthy Scientologists in Australia and Asia to come for expensive upper-level processes they couldn’t get at their local “Ideal Org.” It is staffed by “Sea Org” workers who have signed billion-year contracts. Because this work is appealing to Americans and Australians less and less, Scientology has resorted to importing foreign nationals for staff, with Australian facilities relying heavily on Taiwanese recruits, who give up their passports when they arrive, and see little of their family as they work around the clock.

According to the court hearing, the teenager was upset after his mother had removed a novel from an mp3 player because it contained “pornographic and violent themes.” (It’s still unclear, at least from ABC’s article, whether she was working at the AO or simply taking courses there.)

The next day, the teen went to the AO seeking out a staffer who had told him he could restore the novel to his device. For some reason, the teen took a large knife with him, concealed in a shirt. When he was confronted by two security guards, he screamed at them that he wanted to see the staffer he was looking for, then he attacked them. He injured security guard Shannon Vaughan, and slit the throat of Chih-Jen Yeh, fatally.

The court found that the teen was not responsible for his actions “because he would not have known what he was doing was wrong.” The teen will remain committed under the country’s Mental Health Act.

It’s an awful story, and what the ABC article doesn’t hint at, and what the court apparently didn’t consider, was how Scientology itself made the situation worse.

This is why we suspected this incident might have something in common with the 2003 death of Scientologist Elli Perkins. She was a dedicated longtime Scientologist with a schizophrenic son, and she refused to get him proper treatment. Scientology detests psychiatry with white-hot fury, and any dedicated Scientologist is well indoctrinated never to seek professional mental health treatment, even for a severe case like that of Jeremy Perkins, Elli’s son. For years she tried to treat his delusions with vitamins, following a Scientology doctor’s advice. It did no good. But rather than get the treatment he needed, Jeremy instead killed his mother in a brutal knife attack. He’s been committed ever since.

In the Chatswood case, we will never know how long the teen’s mother was aware of her son’s condition, and resisted proper treatment because of her dedication to Scientology. (Both the teen and his mother have not been identified by name.) We suspect that she knew for quite some time that her son was afflicted, but her training in Scientology would have prevented her from seeking out psychiatric help for him.

And here’s the other big takeaway: We may only be learning now of these details about what happened, but you can be sure that the Church of Scientology knew about them almost immediately.

And yet, on January 11, 2019, eight days after the incident, Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw sent a letter to the A&E network, which at that time was airing the third season of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and claimed that Remini and the network had blood on their hands.

A young Scientologist in Australia has been murdered. Prior to committing this heinous act, the murderer spouted vicious religious hatred and propaganda, incited by A&E and the Leah Remini/Mike Rinder series.

On January 3, 2019, a man fatally stabbed a member of our Australasian headquarters in Sydney. Previously the assailant had stated his intent to burn down the Church. The attacker was inspired by an anti-Scientology website that featured your people and included a link to Remini’s show.

We knew then that this was garbage, and now we have proof from an Australian court of law to prove it. The young man wasn’t upset about an American TV show, he was upset because his mother had taken away some sort of novel from him.

If anything, it was Scientology’s own hatred for psychiatry, and its indoctrination of its members to deny themselves and their loved ones proper mental health care, that was at least partially at fault for the death of Chih-Jen Yeh, not Leah Remini.

We know that Pouw and the person she was fronting for in that letter, Scientology leader David Miscavige, will never learn this lesson. But we hope that some news networks covering this court result will at least note that Scientology is opposed to proper mental health care, which continues to result in terrible tragedies.

 
——————–

Leah Remini podcast: Listener questions, part 9

Says Mike: “We have a lot of great questions, including what the organization does with all the money it makes? Are the PI’s Scientologists? What would happen if we tried to rejoin Scientology? What is the most bizarre Hubbard policy? What’s the story with Mimi Rogers? Does David Miscavige tune in? And a lot more.” Listen to the episode right here!

 
——————–

Sign up for a daily email when we post a new story on Scientology.

Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.

 
——————–

Source Code

“You will normally find that semen and money cause the biggest commotion on a meter dial.” — L. Ron Hubbard, November 23, 1953

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“EPIZOOTICS: A 48 to 64 hour illness is around. The number is decreasing. The last port of students brought it. High temperature, chills, aches in lower back and legs, strong headache, diarrhea are the symptoms. It hasn’t been named as to what it is. Probably some type of Flu that got loose from a Roche bacteriological warfare project to raise their dividends on anti-biotics sales. We get lower percentage than other groups. But that it hits at all shows the need of stepped up auditing action. We have far too few auditors in Qual. Group numbers doubled but Qual auditors didn’t. Student and public lines increased but delivery hour potential didn’t. I have now speeded up tech results which should help.” — The Commodore, November 23, 1970

 
——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“In our role as Scientologists and opinion leaders, some of us know that the use of thetans as actual non-material thetans, those who don’t depend on MEST to accomplish their goals, is the way to go and the way towards spiritual freedom. Whereas others clearly want to buy into MEST extension, development, and advances at the expense of our innate theta abilities and our own thetan usefulness, which is far above MEST activities, and so my position is that we thetans should or only need to accept MEST solutions at an even decreasing amount. We must beat MEST and MEST lovers at their own game. I am using my smartphone to comm with you but we must not let AI and 5G self-coordinate and run our society automatically — the direction already begun.”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1995: Steve Holroyd posted an ad he recently came across in the West End Extra which lists the current claims of the cult for the state of “clear.” “SCIENTOLOGY: ‘Do you want more out of life?’ Become a Scientology Clear. A Scientology Clear has: Over 135 IQ. Creative imagination. Amazing vitality. Deep relaxation. Good memory. Strong willpower. Radiant health. Magnetic personality. Good self control. If you would like to have all these qualities then look into Scientology. Enquire today”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“All along the Bridge, in the lectures mainly, LRH drops all sorts of clues, inferences, asides that the whole thing was a game and that there was an inside joke. Unfortunately a certain percentage of the faithful failed to pick up on this.”

 
——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next hearing set for February 8. Trial scheduled for August 29, 2022.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), false imprisonment, aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Hearing scheduled for November 30.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference December 17 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for February 11.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: California Supreme Court granted review on May 26 and asked the Second Appellate Division to direct Judge Steven Kleifield to show cause why he granted Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Oral arguments held November 2, awaiting a ruling.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9, 2020 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28, 2022.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 23. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] More former Church of Scientology members describe life after Miscavige
[TWO years ago] In Touch sold out to Enquirer’s parent, so now it starts up with the Tom-foolery
[THREE years ago] Here is what’s in the documents that are prompting a new look at Casey Kasem’s death
[FOUR years ago] We’ve cooked up for you a special Scientology Thanksgiving — so pass the Source!
[FIVE years ago] Before Leah Remini burns it to the ground, here’s Scientology’s side of the story
[SIX years ago] Moscow orders banning of Scientology in ongoing dispute, church vows to appeal
[SEVEN years ago] VIDEO: Watch a Scientology spy get busted by Marc Headley in Las Vegas last night
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack: Why do Scientologists Find it So Difficult to Apologize?
[NINE years ago] Scientology Interviews John Travolta: Oddly, Massage Therapy Not Discussed
[TEN years ago] Chill EB and Me: Rappin’ About Scientology

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on November 23, 2021 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast