AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2000

http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org


       CONVICTION IN MISSING ATHEISTS CASE IS STEP TOWARD CLOSURE:
          VERDICT IS VINDICATION OF THE MURRAY-O'HAIR FAMILY

    In a unanimous decision, a jury in Austin, Texas, has convicted Gary Karr
of involvement in a conspiracy to kidnap and rob American Atheists founder
Madalyn Murray O'Hair, her son Jon Garth Murray, and her daughter Robin
Murray O'Hair.  The three disappeared in September, 1995.
    Madalyn Murray O'Hair was a plaintiff in the historic MURRAY v. CURLETT
Supreme Court ruling which in 1963 helped to end mandatory, unison prayer
recitation and coercive Bible verse reading in the public schools.
    "Despite the tragic circumstances, we feel that the trial and conviction
is a major step forward in bring resolution and justice in this case," said
Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists.
    "We look forward to indictments of any other individuals who are linked
to the disappearance and possible murder of the Murray O'Hair family."
    Ms. Johnson added that testimony in the trial vindicated the O'Hairs on a
number of irresponsible charges, including accusations that the family had
absconded with over $500,000 in gold, or was fleeing the country for personal
and financial reasons.
    "The testimony in this case established that the gold ended up in the hands
of other individuals, and was extorted under duress from the Murray O'Hairs,"
Ms. Johnson said.  "Other testimony clearly indicated that the family had
already reached a resolution with the Internal Revenue Service over a series
of minor discrepancies, and was not fleeing the country to avoid prosecution
or anything else."
    Ms. Johnson pointed to documents, testimony and other evidence indicating
that the Murray O'Hairs "were doing business as usual for the organization when
a kidnapping and extortion plot involving Mr. Karr and others was carried out."
    "There are other individuals who were mentioned during the trial who are
linked to this case, and we fully expect that the justice system will move
forward with additional indictments and prosecutions," said Ms. Johnson.

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President        (973) 334-5110


American Atheists, Inc.
P.O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402