Utah prison inmate wins $100 in religious rites case

[cbayer]

http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/09/17/utah-prison-inmate-wins-100-religious-rites-case

By Contributed
The Associated Press
Mon, 09/17/2012 - 6:11am



SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge has ruled in favor of a former Utah State Prison inmate, saying officials violated his constitutional rights by not allowing him to practice certain rites of his religion.

U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell on Friday awarded $100 to Danny Warner Jr., but denied his request for compensatory and punitive damages, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The judge noted prison officials had already taken steps to clarify policies and accommodate the needs of those practicing the pre-Christian Nordic faith of Odhvegr, also known as Odinism. The religion encourages followers to live a "virtuous existence" based on nine noble virtues, including courage, truth and honor. It’s among 25 identified religions followed by Utah inmates.

Campbell praised Warner, who represented himself, for "the zealous defense of his rights and for the exemplary manner" in which he litigated his claims. Most inmate lawsuits are dismissed.

more at link

[Ikonoklast]

1. What a hypocrite this guy is.

Warner had been serving a sentence in Utah on theft, identity fraud and attempted aggravated assault charges. In March, he was moved to an Arizona prison, where he’s serving a 63-month sentence on a firearm possession charge. Once he completes that sentence, he’s expected to be returned to the Utah State Prison to finish his other sentence.

Guess he doesn't follow the precepts of his own religion.

[Drale]

2. People rarely do

Look at all the right wing fanatics. They don't know anything about their religion or their religious text either.

[cbayer]

4. *Rarely* might be an overstatement, though *sometimes* is certainly not.

[cbayer]

3. Maybe he converted to Odinism after his incarceration?

[Ikonoklast]

5. Seems to be the case, because if he was a follower before, he was a bad one.

[TlalocW]

6. By Odin One-Eye, his son the Thunder God, and might Mjolnir!!!

Give me my religious rights, or the nine worlds will shake from the fury of the All-Father!

Nordic religions are better for righteous threats.

TlalocW

[dimbear]

7. Since Ben Franklin is on the C note, I'd like to hear his take on this. n/t