Ex-student violated contract with JZ Knight, jury decides

By Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published September 16, 2008

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OLYMPIA – A Thurston County jury ruled Monday that Rainier spiritual teacher Whitewind Weaver borrowed techniques from the Ramtha School of Enlightenment in Yelm and taught them as her own, violating a school registration certificate that limits the teachings to students' personal use.

The jury, deliberating less than two hours on the fifth day of a civil trial on the breach-of-contract claim, awarded $10,388 in damages to Ramtha school founder JZ Knight and her company JZK Inc.

That was the amount of revenue Art of Life Coaching Inc., the company founded by Weaver, received from an August 2006 seminar where the contract violations occurred.

"We asked for $10,388 and a verification that the defendant broke a contract, and we received both, so I'm well-satisfied," said Tacoma attorney Rick Creatura, representing JZK Inc.

In closing arguments, Creatura asked the jury to set aside personal skepticism about Knight or her claim to channel Ramtha, a 35,000-year-old male warrior spirit, and to decide the case solely on legal issues.

"I want you to wipe the horns off their (Knight and school associates') heads — these are real people, intelligent people," he said. "Their beliefs may be different than yours, but they're still entitled to protection."

Weaver, calm and composed after the jury's announcement at the Thurston County courthouse, said she was satisfied that she and her colleagues stood up for what they believed was right.

"I'm sad that we got the verdict we did, but I'm very proud of everyone on our team," Weaver said.

Knight, contacted later, said the case was "highly important" because "we had to set a precedent" that the school's teachings were protected.

She added she was pleased her side prevailed after two years of the dispute.

"Many people have been granted permission to use the work," Knight said, "but the problem was they (Weaver and associates) never asked — they just used."

She said the trial afforded the opportunity for 12 jurors to hear all the evidence and, "it was wonderful to see the legal system in action."