Inmate Barred from Muslim Services Loses Lawsuit

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – A prison inmate serving a life sentence in a Gregg County aggravated robbery case has lost a federal court appeal of his religion-based lawsuit. The suit was rejected Tuesday by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Jesse James Copeland, 56, contended he was unconstitutionally barred from Muslim religious services for six months as discipline for causing a prison ruckus. Copeland also argued that Christian symbols were improper in the chapel at an East Texas prison where the Muslim services were held. Copeland filed suit after he was disciplined for not leaving a Muslim religious meeting when ordered to do so. The ensuing disturbance in July 2006 required response from about 30 corrections officers at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Eastham Unit.