Appeals Court Reinstates Inmate Lawsuit Alleging Abuse By Guards

A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has reinstated a prison inmate's lawsuit over an alleged beating by a guard and other punishment. The panel overturned a lower court ruling that inmate Shannon Troche failed to exhaust administrative remedies before filing a lawsuit alleging violations of his constitutional rights. The panel says it could not find evidence Troche was required to file a further administrative appeal under state grievance procedures. He claims he was beaten in 2001 at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and placed in isolation without food for two weeks.