Meditation-based Maharishi University expected to settle lawsuit over student's stabbing death in Iowa

Associated Press/January 8, 2009

Des Moines, Iowa - A federal lawsuit over the stabbing death of an 18-year-old student from California at a school in southeastern Iowa is expected to be settled today.

Levi Butler of Riverside County was stabbed to death at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, on March 1, 2004 by fellow student Shuvender Sem of Pennsylvania.

The 24-year-old Sem was a paranoid schizophrenic who had a long history of violent assault. He had attacked another student earlier in the day.

Sem was later found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The lawsuit on behalf of Butler's estate was filed in February 2006, accusing the school of gross negligence for not preventing his death.

Steve Eckley, an attorney representing the estate, says the confidential terms of the settlement were reached last night and needed approval from one additional official with the university's insurance company.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here.

Disclaimer