A federal appeals court has reinstated an Ohio prison inmate's lawsuit over an alleged beating by a corrections officer and other punishment.
The three-judge 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel unanimously 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 judges ruled Thursday they couldn't find evidence Troche was required to file a further administrative appeal under state grievance procedures.
He claims he was beaten in 2001 by a corrections officer at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and placed in isolation without food for two weeks.
State records indicate Troche is serving time for aggravated robbery and is now housed at the Ohio State Penitentiary.
There was no word on a possible state appeal.