The Region - News from June 18, 1987

Aides to Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada, leader of the largest Hare Krishna community in North America, told investigators that he approved the 1986 Los Angeles execution-murder of Steve Bryant, according to a report published in the New York Times. According to the paper, several unidentified senior advisers to Bhaktipada said he approved a payment of several thousand dollars to the man who has been charged with killing Bryant, who was said to have urged disciples to rebel against Bhaktipada and execute him for alleged deviation from accepted teachings and condoning violence. A Krishna spokesman denied all charges, however.