Inmate's Lawsuit Backfires

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An inmate who alleged that guards punched and cut him sued Multnomah County for $11,110.

But not only did he lose, Judge Michael McShane called the suit frivolous and ordered him to pay the county $3,000.

At the end of a two-day trial, the jury took 10 minutes to find against 45-year-old Christopher Bookhart, who has spent 2 1/2 years in jail awaiting trial on a robbery charge.

Bookhart claimed that one deputy, Steven Meyer, punched him in the chest without provocation and another, unidentified, cinched handcuffs too tight, cutting him and leaving a 1-inch scar.

Meyer said tapped Bookhart with a closed fist in a jovial manner, while chatting.

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