“Maverick biologist” Rupert Sheldrake – known for his research supporting telepathy and ‘the sense of being stared at’ – was stabbed yesterday while delivering a presentation at the 10th International Conference on Science and Consciousness in Santa Fe. Initial reports suggest that his attacker, Japanese national Hirano Kazuki, attempted to stab Sheldrake in the chest, but tripped and slashed the researcher’s leg open instead:
Rupert Sheldrake of London was sitting up and alert as medics took him on a gurney to an ambulance outside Santa Fe’s historic hotel at the southeast corner of the Plaza. Asked if he was OK, Sheldrake smiled and responded, “I hope so.”
Hirano Kazuki, 33, of Yokohama, Japan, spent Wednesday night in jail after he was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and assault with intent to commit a violent felony. He provided no resistance as officers led him in handcuffs from the hotel.
Hirano had been attending the 10th International Conference on Science and Consciousness. Other attendees said he had been acting oddly. They said he confronted Sheldrake earlier this week, telling him he heard voices and saw demons. Another featured speaker at the conference told the man he was “full of negative energy” and counseled him to “calm down,” said Evan Mecham, an attendee from Broomfield, Colo.
There is also a video news report at KOAT Albuquerque – more information as I find out more. Sounds like a near miss for Rupert (who recently sent us this report about his run-in with Richard Dawkins), I’m very glad to hear he’s going to be okay. Certainly a disturbing development – most of us in this field have had our share of run-ins with ‘unbalanced’ folk over the years, but you never think things will go this far. Thanks Filip for the heads-up.
