Sulocana dasa
?–1986
Former New Vrindaban member and critic of its leadership, shot dead in Los Angeles in 1986.
Life
Sulocana dasa (legal name Steven Bryant) was a former member of the New Vrindaban community in West Virginia who had criticized its leadership. He was shot twice in his parked van in Los Angeles on 22 May 1986 (UPI).
Thomas Drescher (Tirtha das), a New Vrindaban devotee, was convicted of his murder by a Los Angeles County jury in 1991, with a special allegation of murder for financial gain; prosecutors said New Vrindaban officials had paid him part of a promised fee for the killing (UPI). Others named in connection with the plot are listed below.
Named here because they have died and the case is public record.
Cases
1- The murder of Steven Bryant (Sulocana dasa), Los Angeles, 1986
Steven Bryant (Sulocana dasa), a former New Vrindaban member who had criticized its leadership, was shot dead in his van in Los Angeles on 22 May 1986. Thomas Drescher (Tirtha das) was convicted of his murder in 1991 and sentenced to life without parole. Tapahpunja (Terry Sheldon) pleaded guilty in 1994 to a conspiracy charge; others alleged to have taken part in the plot were never charged.
New Vrindabaninvolves 5 people · 5 entries
People connected
Everyone named in the cases above, with their role and the current status of what they are accused of.
- DefendantConvictedMurder of Steven Bryant (Sulocana dasa), Los Angeles, 1986Convicted of first-degree murder with a financial-gain allegation, Los Angeles, August 1991; life without parole
- DefendantAdmittedConspiracy to murder Steven Bryant; racketeering and mail-fraud conspiracyPleaded guilty in 1994 under a plea agreement; five years in prison
- DefendantAdmittedFederal racketeering and mail fraud, including alleged murder conspiraciesThe Bryant killing was among the acts alleged in his federal racketeering case; the 1991 jury did not find it proven, and his 1996 guilty plea admitted mail fraud but not "any connection to the slayings" (AP)
- AccusedDocumented allegationAlleged role in the 1986 conspiracy to murder Steven Bryant (Sulocana dasa)Alleged by self-described participants to have taken part in the plot; never charged; denies it
- AccusedDocumented allegationAlleged role in the 1986 conspiracy to murder Steven Bryant (Sulocana dasa)Alleged to have helped plan the killing; never charged
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