UPI NewsFeatures
The following UPI NewsFeatures are for release Sunday, Aug. 23, or
thereafter:
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Also in this week's report:
   (SWAMI) Moundsville, W.Va. _ One of the newest swamis in the Hare
Krishna religion is a convicted killer and drug dealer charged with the
suspected murder-for-hire of an excommunicated member of the India-based
sect. But Thomas Drescher, No. 150196 at the West Virginia State
Penitentiary, says only that "my business, my mission, is to preach."
By Thomas Ferraro. 900. Picture, PSP081701.
     2  08-17-87 10:00 aed
 
Krishna swami, convicted killer
UPI NewsFeature
(900-picture PSP081701)
adv sun aug 23 or thereafter

By THOMAS FERRARO
   MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (UPI) _ One of the newest swamis in the Hare
Krishna religion is a convicted killer and drug dealer charged with the
suspected murder-for-hire of an excommunicated member of the India-based
sect.
   The swami, Thomas Drescher, No. 150196 at the West Virginia State
Penitentiary, denies slaying anyone and says, "My business, my mission,
is to preach."
   Drescher, 38, is a key figure in a 15-month investigation of nearby
New Vrindaban, the biggest Krishna community in North America with
several hundred saffron-robed, shaven-headed devotees.
   Law enforcement authorities suspect that Drescher gunned down
Steven Bryant, 33, in Los Angeles on May 22, 1986, to silence the
dissident, who had alleged criminal activity at the mountain commune,
from child abuse to drug dealing.
   The case has placed a spotlight on New Vrindaban and has enlarged
an existing wedge between it and the Governing Body Commission of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has an estimated
5,000 fulltime devotees, half in North America.
   Last March, the GBC excommunicated New Vrindaban's spiritual
leader, Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada, formerly Keith Ham.
   In doing so, it cited investigations of the community that stem
from Bryant's death and allegations, and accused Bhaktipada, 50, of
insubordination and of trying to form his own movement.
   On July 22, when New Vrindaban ordained Drescher as a swami, a post
normally given after longtime service, the GBC denounced the move as
unwarranted and invalid.
   A swami is a monk, one who renounces all worldly connections and
dedicates himself to a spiritual life of preaching and teaching.
   Drescher was convicted in 1979 of manufacturing and distributing
drugs and was found guilty last January of the 1983 slaying of a Krishna
devotee. He's awaiting trial for the murder of Bryant.
   Drescher carries prayer beads in his right hand and has tattoos of
Lord Krishna on both forearms.
   Bhaktipada says Drescher went from a "fringie," one who strayed
from Krishna tenets, to a "good devotee" since being imprisoned a year
ago, and deserved becoming a swami.
   William Deadwyler, chairman of the North American GBC and president
of the Krishna temple in Philadelphia, disagrees. "We are all a little
outraged .... It's upsetting. It's shocking."
   Deadwyler says he fears the ordination, plus the investigations of
New Vrindaban, could result in a public relations nightmare for ISKCON
and damage a reform drive.
   Since 1977, seven of the original 11 gurus named by the modern
movement's founder have been removed for reasons ranging from drug use
and sexual promiscuity. The sect has also been strained by power
struggles.
   Dozens of new gurus have been named in recent years, and Deadwyler
says, "There is now a spirit of cooperation."
   "I just wish that people would understand that this man
(Bhaktipada) is not part of ISKCON. We have done all we can to put
distance between ourselves and him."
   Replies Bhaktipada: "I am ISKCON." He says he and his followers _
and not the GBC _ are adhering to the sect's principles.
   Bhaktipada says the GBC's expulsion of him was meaningless,
denounces the criminal investigations as religious persecution and
denies any wrongdoing.
   No criminal charges have been brought against Bhaktipada, but a
federal grand jury is to resume an investigation in September.
   Bhaktipada says he is unconcerned.
   "My own feeling is that it's up to God. I'm here to do his
service."
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   In the meantime, his attorneys are fending off multi-million dollar
civil suits recently filed by Peanuts' cartoon creator Charles Schulz
and major league baseball.
   They allege that New Vrindaban unlawfully used their trademarks in
a nationwide panhandling operation that distributed sports souvenirs in
return for contributions.
   Sources close to the murder investigation say authorities believe
Drescher was paid $4,000 to kill Bryant, and that the money came from
New Vrindaban.
   At the time of his arrest, sources say, Drescher had a notebook _
Drescher denies it _ that had a description of Bryant's van and
addresses where Bryant might be found.
   At an Aug. 13 court hearing, four Krishna members, in testimony a
prosecutor said seemed "fabricated," said they saw Drescher in
Columbus, Ohio, within a day or just hours of when Bryant was killed in
Los Angeles.
   A Los Angeles car rental agent said in a statement that he rented a
car to Drescher two days before Bryant was murdered, and that on the
morning of the slaying got a call from Drescher saying he had left the
vehicle at the Los Angeles International Airport.
   The judge ordered Drescher extradited to Los Angeles, but gave him
until Sept. 4 to appeal.
   Before being led from the courtroom, Drescher again professed
innocence.
   "They're trying to use me to attack New Vrindaban. They're going
to try to prove a conspiracy between myself and New Vrindaban to kill
someone. They aren't going to find it."
   Back at the penitentiary, Drescher said, "I consider myself a
political prisoner."
   He said expects to go to California and when he gets there,
regardless where he is imprisoned, "I'll preach."
   "The business of a sanyassa (swami) is to travel and preach."
   If convicted of killing Bryant, Drescher could get the death
sentence.