Convicted double murderer Nicholas Roos has filed a lawsuit in federal court against employees of the Arkansas prison system. He complains of his unhappiness with soggy tofu and an inability to adhere to the rules of his religion.He alleges, for example, that he is not getting enough time to worship the Sun God Surya outside which is required by his religion and is losing sleep because breakfast is served at such an early hour.
The trial is now set to begin April 5 in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas in Little Rock. It is estimated it should take about seven days to complete the trial.
PRISON VIOLATING RELIGIOUS RIGHTS
Roos contends that he is an adherent of Raja Yoga Hinduism and that his religion requires him to maintain a “vegan diet” of which tofu is a staple ingredient.
The many grievances Roos has against the prison system in general and the Varner Unit in particular starts with the tofu and the way it is served.
*The tofu is not drained before being frozen making the product “a soggy, spongy, rubbery and virtually inedible substance” once thawed and put on a tray.
*The make up of the vegetarian meals served by the prison do not allow Roos to maintain his health.
*That many of the foods he is served should not be on a vegetarian diet at all.
CANT WORSHIP SUN GOD
*Roos claims his religion requires him to “pay homage” to the sun god “Surya” and Roos alleged in his lawsuit that he often goes “weeks and months” without direct exposure to the sun.
*The food he is required by his belief to consume is being prepared and served in what are claimed to be unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodents and insects.
Roos complains of other prison conditions that stand in the way of his religious practice.
*He alleges breakfast is served so early he is unable to meditate as required by his religion.
*Roos says prison officials are indifferent to the requirements of his religion.
There are a number of issues that are likely to come up during the trial, including whether Roos’ self-proclaimed religious beliefs are sincerely held.
His complaint regarding early breakfast hours which he says leaves him sleep deprived and unable to meditate as he says his religion requires will be questioned in terms of “does Roos as an inmate in the state prison system have a clearly established right to sleep when he wants to.”
Roos’ lawsuit claims several violations of his constitutional rights.
He asks the court to address the complaints outlined in his suit and to mandate that the prison system correct those situations.
Roos also seeks punitive damages in varying amounts to be assessed to the various prison staff member named as defendants in the suit totaling slightly more than $70,000.
The lawyer representing Roos has told the court there has been “no serious settlement offer” made by the prison system.
In answer to Roos’ lawsuit, the Department of Correction staff members named as defendants have denied each and every claim he makes.
SHOT AND KILLED ELDERLY COUPLE
Roos was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2016 after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the killing of an elderly Midway couple in November 2015.
Roos has appealed his life without parole sentence in the murder case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices refused to even hear his arguments.
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