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HARE KRISHNA MEMBER [Tirtha das] SAYS HE KILLED AT LEADER'S BEHEST Copyright 1996 Charleston Newspapers April
18, 1996, Thursday HEADLINE:
Thomas Drescher (Tirtha das) said he placed the sticker, which said "Are we having fun yet?" on the van of Stephen Bryant (Sulocana das) before tracking him down in 1986 in Los Angeles, where he shot Bryant twice in the head. Drescher testified he carried out the assassination at the wish of his spiritual leader, Swami Bhaktipada.(Keith Ham) "You have to understand that in my mind, it wasn't murder. It was dispatching an undesirable element from the community," Drescher said. Drescher is the prosecution's star witness against Bhaktipada, who is on trial on six counts of mail fraud, three counts of racketeering, and one count each of conspiracy and interstate travel to commit murder for hire. In its indictment, the government said Bhaktipada used two murders, a kidnapping threats and beatings to maintain control of the illegal business scams that raised more than $ 10 million between 1981 and 1985 at the New Vrindaban community near Moundsville in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. Also Wednesday, Terry Sheldon (Tapahpunja das ), leader of a Krishna temple in Cleveland, testified that Bryant had been spreading rumors that Bhaktipada was a homosexual and a child abuser. Bryant threatened the life of Bhaktipada and others, Sheldon said. Another dissident, Charles St. Denis (Chakradara das ), was shot and stabbed in 1983, he said. Drescher was convicted in both slayings and is serving a life sentence for murder. Drescher testified that Bhaktipada was disgusted with St. Denis because he was a womanizer and drug pusher. St. Denis also was seeking the return of some of the $ 80,000 he had given Bhaktipada, he said. But it was not until St. Denis was accused of raping a woman that Drescher heard the first talk of killing anyone, he testified. Drescher said he went directly to Bhaktipada and broached the subject. "He became pensive and turned and said 'You can only offend the spiritual master so many times,'" Drescher said. Drescher said he and another man (Daruka das - Dan Reid) killed St. Denis, then buried the body beneath a stream bed near New Vrindaban. Drescher later poured acid on the grave site. Drescher said he killed Bryant three years later for spreading the same rumors about Bhaktipada. He said he had asked Bhaktipada if he wanted Bryant killed. Bhaktipada replied, "Under the circumstances, it would be best," he testified. Drescher said he tracked Bryant's movement to Los Angeles, where he found Bryant in his parked van near the home of a friend. "I checked my weapon, walked up to the van, and killed him," he said. Sheldon testified Bhaktipada's security was a concern after the leader was beaten with an iron bar in October 1985 (by Triyogi - Michael Schockman). The attacker was suspected to be under the influence of Bryant, Sheldon said. Sheldon said he participated in the surveillance of Bryant with Drescher and told Bhaktipada of the plot to kill Bryant.
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Devotee murderers in jail: Iskcon's new preachers Chakra.org says, that we should give donations to the ISKCON Prison Ministries, an Iskcon organisation who supports prisoners (murderers) like Thirta das, who murdered Sulocana. http://www.chakra.org/announcements/Support_RequestApr17_06_03.html The Iskcon Prison Ministries [http://www.iskconprisonministries.com/] who discontinued
their homepage, advertised that we should go to a Murderers Webpage (Tirtha
das) [http://www.tirthainprison.com/] to buy his books. Why would anybody
buy and read a book of a convicted murderer. This is Iskcons style. They
always glorify devotee murderers and criticize the murdered victim.
The murderers books are advertised on EBAY 4.99USD with the following
Comment: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110053307827%22
So Iskcon is not only preaching genital business with Satsvarupa's half-erection book of "Sanatorium," but also advertising books of devotee murderers (Tirtha das) with an Introduction by Candramauli Swami, an ISKCON Sannyasi and Initiating Guru. Oh boy, when you think it is very bad already, than it gets even worse. First, Tirtha das is murdering a Krishna-Devotee (Sulocana das) and then the murderer (Tirtha das) is preaching Krishna-devotion in prison, with ISKCON and Candramauli's blessing. What a perverted Iskcon, and even more perverted so-called-devotees supporting this murder business. Krishna says, that four types of people surrender to him. Perhaps he forgot the fifth type, the murderers who pray to him for getting release from their prison sentence.
"This handbook will greatly assist you toward achieving the goal of Krsna consciousness. I'm sure you will find it easy to read, easy to understand and easy to apply in your life." Candramauli Swami is glorifiying a murderer as an "an experienced devotee who has successfully executed the process of Bhakti yoga." WOW that's what it is called nowadays, instead of calling it "murdering a devotee." Candramauli Swami says, that the murderers handbook will greatly assist
you toward achieving the goal of Krsna consciousness. How about Srila Prabhupadas
books? Are murderers books better than Prabhupadas? See Introduction by Candramauli
Swami: Iskcon Namahatta.org (with Candramauli Swami) is advertising the murderer books
on:
On the top of ISKCON Prison Ministries official website there is a request
and link for you to visit Tirtha Das' personal website: http://www.tirthainprison.com.
...but for some reason he chose to leave the name a little vague, just tirthainprison.com. If you go to Tirtha Das' personal website (as advertised in the ISKCON Prison Ministries website) you will see he has written a book on practicing Krishna consciousness in prison. The introduction to this murderer's book is written by an ISKCON guru and sannyasi, Candramauli Swami. The introduction can be read here. Candramauli, a former leader under Kirtanananda Swami, also happens to be the leader of ISKCON Prison Ministries, as their official website states under their logo: "Under the Guidance of His Holiness Candramauli Swami." Also on the ISKCON Prison Ministries homepage it states: "The ISKCON Prison Ministries (IPM) is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness' (ISKCON) Congregational Development Ministry." If we go to the official website of this ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry (namahatta.org) there is also an article by Tirtha Das, along with a picture of him. In fact, Tirtha das' book was actually published by ISKCON, as stated in an Ebay auction selling the book: "The Definitive Guide to Practicing Krsna Consciousness in Prison" By Tirtha
dasa So in summary, this is what we have found: Now this brings me to my technical question for the GBC: Why is it that...
Here we have an ISKCON guru who has repeatedly been identified by drug sniffing dogs, to the extent that they will not allow him to enter this prison complex. Police drug sniffing dogs are highly trained and have a very high accuracy level in identifying illicit drugs or traces of them on people. If these dogs have alerted to the presence of drugs on one or both of these ISKCON gurus, in all likelyhood these people are using ilicit drugs. Perhaps it is time for ISKCON to adopt a drug test policy for all ISKCON gurus, so we do not need to be embarassed in public when drug sniffing dogs identify our spiritual leaders. On another note, what are Radhanatha Swami and Candamauli Swami doing meeting with a convicted murderer who killed a number of ISKCON devotees? There have long been rumors that Radhanatha was involved in the killing of Sulochan (delivering the payment to Tirtha Das). What does ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada gain by these ISKCON leaders going out of their way to meet with a murderer whom they have had questionable connections with in the past? Radhanatha Swami has never gone out of his way to see other devotees in jail, why this special "mercy" to murderer Tirtha Das? It should also be remembered that the ISKCON GBC approved Radhanatha Swami as an initiating guru provided he didnt get indicted in the murder of Sulochan (along with Tirtha Das). So even the GBC has been aware that Radhanatha had questionable links with the murderer Tirtha Das, and they were aware that the US government was considering charging him in the case as well. The answer to a lot of these questions revolve around Tirtha Das. He took the
complete fall for the murder, refusing to testify against Kirtanananda or any
of the other leaders under him (such as Radhanatha). As a result Kirtanananda
was only convicted of minor offenses such as tax evasion. So Radhanatha
Swami is showing his thanks, and paying back the favor to Tirtha Das with
his special visits. Unfortunately the drug sniffing dogs have singled him out
and he won't be able to meet with murderer Tirtha Das until he kicks his drug
habit. At least that is the message that I see in all of this. |
Candramauli
Swami, an Iskcon Guru gives the introduction to a Murderer's book, saying:
"This small but potent book may serve as just such a guide. It has been compiled
by an experienced devotee who has spent many consecutive years within the confines
of prison and who has successfully executed the process of Bhakti yoga. Please
carefully read, study and apply these practical principles and devotional exercises.
BY:
NAVADVIPCHANDRA DAS -- 
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Chakradara murdered by Tirtha das and Daruka
on
the order of Kirtanananda aka Bhaktipad alias Keith Ham
from the "Charleston
Newspapers The Charleston Gazette"
Drescher (Thirta das) testified he carried out the assassination at the wish of his spiritual leader, Swami Bhaktipada (Keith Ham). "You have to understand that in my mind, it wasn't murder. It was dispatching an undesirable element from the community," Drescher said. Drescher testified that Bhaktipada was disgusted with St. Denis (Chakradara das ) because he was a womanizer and drug pusher. St. Denis also was seeking the return of some of the $ 80,000 he had given Bhaktipada, he said.
But it was not until St. Denis was accused of raping a woman that Drescher heard the first talk of killing anyone, he testified. Drescher said he went directly to Bhaktipada and broached the subject. "He became pensive and turned and said 'You can only offend the spiritual master so many times,'" Drescher said. Drescher (Thirta das) said he and another man (Daruka das - Dan Reid) killed Chuck St. Denis (Chakradara das ), then buried the body beneath a stream bed near New Vrindaban. Drescher later poured acid on the grave site.
"Shoot him!" Drescher screamed at Reid, "Shoot him!" Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Drescher rapid-fired his .22. Reid let his gun drop to his side. St. Denis was hit twelve times. He crumpled and went down. But then, almost immediately, as Reid and Drescher watched in amazement, he struggled back onto his feet and half staggered, half ran back down the path toward the Blazer. He stumbled like a drunk who has been decked in a bar fight. Drescher dropped his gun and ran after him. He lowered his shoulder and dove into St. Denis, hitting him behind the knees. The big man went down. Drescher rolled him over and climbed onto his heaving chest. "Get a knife!" he yelled at Raid. "Get a knife!" Reid felt like he was going to vomit. For an instant he thought about running away, but he was afraid if he did, Drescher would come after him and kill him, too. He ran into the cabin and came out with a kitchen knife. "Chant!" Drescher was screaming. "Start chanting!" Drescher thought he was doing St. Denis one last favor. As Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita, "Those who remember me at the time of death will come to me. Do not doubt this." By forcing St. Denis to chant, Drescher thought he was guaranteeing him a more spiritual life in his next incarnation. But St. Denis would not die. Coughing blood and gasping for breath, he tried to throw Drescher off his chest. Drescher grabbed the knife and stabbed him. Again and again. Hard and deep. Finally, the blade hit a rib and snapped. St. Denis kept struggling. Reid ran back to his cabin and grabbed a screwdriver. Drescher stabbed St. Denis with that. St. Denis fought on, screaming in agony. Reid found a hammer and Drescher hit him with that, punching a one-inch hole in his skull. St. Denis went limp and stopped fighting. Breathing deeply, Drescher climbed off him. He and Reid were looking down at the bloody body when St. Denis started emitting long, high-pitched screams like a German shepherd that has been hit by a truck. Drescher and Reid dragged St. Denis down the logging road to the dammed-up stream. They dumped the body on the swampy ground and stumbled around trying to find the grave Drescher had dug. It had disappeared. Reid was mentally numb. Part of his mind denied it was all happening; the other part screamed, "Get it over with! Get it over with!" He ran up and down, back and forth across the stream bed. Suddenly, he fell in water up to his waist. He had found the hole. Water had seeped up from the ground, filling it. While Reid bailed it out with a shovel, Drescher unfolded a sheet of plastic. "Get over here and help me get him in this," Drescher yelled. Reid put down his shovel, walked over to the body, and picked up one end of the plastic. They were about to wrap St. Denis's head when he opened his eyes. "Don't do that, you'll smother me," he said. Reid screamed, a long, piercing scream of pure terror. He stopped, glanced at the body, and screamed again. Then he bolted into the woods. Drescher watched him go. He had expected as much out of the little wimp. Killing didn't bother Drescher; he had found that out in Vietnam. He finished sheathing St. Denis in plastic and was dragging him to the hole when Reid reappeared. "It's a good thing for you that you came back," Drescher said in an even, menacing voice. "Get over here and help me get him in." Reid walked around to the other side of the body and helped Drescher drop St. Denis into the hole. St. Denis was still breathing when the first shovelfuls of dirt hit him. Reid and Drescher filled the grave; Reid working fast, Drescher at a steady pace. When the hole was covered, they knocked down Drescher's dam. "Ever do this when you were a kid?" Drescher asked. Reid flinched. "I used to build dams all the time," Drescher said. Within fifteen minutes, the stream had covered St. Denis's grave, and the gurgling current had carried away all the loose soil. The killers walked back to the artist's studio. Drescher got into St. Denis's Blazer and drove to Bridgeport, a small town across the Ohio River from Wheeling. Reid followed in Drescher's pickup truck. Drescher parked the Blazer near the home of Big John, a friend of St. Denis's and a marijuana dealer. He wiped the car clean of fingerprints, returned to the pickup, and rode back to the Artist's Studio with Reid. When they returned across the Ohio River, they threw the .22s they had used on St. Denis out the window and into the water below the bridge. »more here« |
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| Daruka on his way to court for the murder trial. He was the co-murderer who helped to kill Chakradhari. He has a sarcastic smile on his face because he made a deal with the prosecution to shorten his sentence. | FBI forensics team dig up the human remains of Chakradhari's body at New Vrindavan. | Daruka Das showing the police the burrial site of Chakradhari's body. He agreed to reveal the location in exchange for a lighter sentence. |
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| Police team locates Chakradhari's skull and body remains after being shown the location by Daruka. | Police team locates Chakradhari's skull and body remains after being shown the location by Daruka. | The remains of Chakradhari Das, who was brutally murdered by Tirtha Das. |
Chakradhara screamed and screamed and screamed, till the police dug him
out of his grave.
how is this possible? first Tirtha kills a devotee of Krishna,
and than he preaches devotion to Krishna?
please also see: Tirtha was a mass murderer
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Please also visit the following web sites: YouTube Video documentary covers the criminal activities of Kirtanananda There is a video documentary available on YouTube which covers the criminal
activities of Kirtanananda and others at New Vrindavan. The murder of Sulochan
prabhu is examined, and there are interviews with the notorious devotee murderer
Tirtha Das. Radhanatha Swami can be seen briefly in the documentary as well as
Devamrita Swami (in his franciscan monk's robes). There are extensive interviews
with Kirtanananda as well as law enforcement officers, providing all sides a chance
to explain their positions. Some of the scense are quite graphic, like the excavation
of Chakradhari's skull, so viewer discretion is advised.
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