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Akron man, 44, sues state for $200,000, says droppings are health nuisance
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
An Akron man serving life in prison for murder is seeking $200,000 from the state over wild birds that he claims are dirtying the chow hall.
Inmate Mark Griffin, 44, said in his lawsuit that the birds hovering above inmate meals are a health nuisance that is being ignored by Belmont Correctional Institution officials.
He also alleges in numerous grievances that the droppings have ended up on walls, tables and windows while inmates are eating in the prison dining hall.
Prison officials responded in writing by saying that they are trying to correct the problem, and that it is not a health issue, as Griffin contends in the lawsuit filed Tuesday with the Ohio Court of Claims in Columbus.
''It is an ongoing battle and they have made great strides in eradicating the birds,'' prison officials responded in a grievance, which Griffin included with his lawsuit. ''They are aware of the situation and work daily to control it.''
Griffin contends he noticed the ''wild birds'' flying around the cafeteria when he entered the institution last spring after being transferred from another prison.
He said he was told birds have been venturing inside for more than six years.
Griffin filed grievances within the institution over the past seven months, but the birds — at least the three occupying the cafeteria — have not flown the coop.
''There is bird droppings on everything in there,'' he wrote in one complaint.
The prison is in St. Clairsville in southeastern Ohio.
''The birds even drop their droppings while inmates are eating their food,'' Griffin contended.
Griffin was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for stabbing his friend, Calvin Douglas, during a day of arguing between the two Akron men. Griffin is eligible for parole in September 2010.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
An Akron man serving life in prison for murder is seeking $200,000 from the state over wild birds that he claims are dirtying the chow hall.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 06:32 AM, 11/05/2008
"Inmate Mark Griffin, 44, said in his lawsuit that the birds hovering above inmate meals are a health nuisance."
Proof please? Case law cited? Health official? I didn't think so.
Another moron criminal who seems to forget that if he wasn't a criminal, he wouldn't have to allegedly deal with this.
Posted 01:55 PM, 11/08/2008
Mark,
I couldn't agree more! At least this guy has free food, a roof over his head, free medical & dental. Where is the money for the upstanding citizens who are struggling to put food on the table for their families. These people make me sick that they commit murder & other crimes, then think they have the right to sue & waste more of the tax payers money. Let him eat crow - all parts!
Posted 11:53 AM, 11/10/2008
A little bit of bird doo never hurt anybody.
Matter of fact, it probably tastes better than the prison food.
