Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Rubashkin disputes jail kosher
A district associate judge ruled the child labor case against Sholom Rubashkin of Agriprocessors will go on.
But first there was the issue of lunch.
Defense attorney F. Montgomery Brown said Tuesday his client, a Hasidic Jew, was on a hunger strike because he wasn't able to certify that his special meals at the Black Hawk County Jail were kosher to his level of observance of his faith.
Rubashkin had been housed at the Linn County Jail in Cedar Rapids for a federal fraud trial. He was moved to the Black Hawk County Jail this week for the duration of his child labor violation trial.
He was booked in at about 12:40 p.m. Monday and as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday hadn't eaten a bite because of dietary concerns, Brown said.
"I can't represent a client who's not going to eat," Brown said.
When Rubashkin was first brought to the jail, deputies had to carry him because he didn't have his yarmulke and his religious undershirt, Brown said. He said his client's faith prohibits him from moving more than eight cubits in any direction without the items.
That issue was later resolved, Brown said.
He also mentioned concerns about prohibitions dealing with the use of electricity and eating while the sun is up during the Sabbath. There is also the issue of 10 religious books Rubashkin needs to study.
"He doesn't watch TV and watch football games. He reads stuff," Brown said.
Jail officials said they are working on the accommodations, and the defense brought an Iowa City rabbi to help sort out the matter.
District Associate Judge Nathan Callahan said state law allows for some accommodations, but he wasn't going to rule on the issue, which he said was better suited to a higher judge.
"This case goes forward," Callahan said. "I'm not derailing this proceeding because of his choice."
He noted that Rubashkin is incarcerated, and one of the effects of being in jail is being deprived of "things that are near and dear to your heart."
He noted that Rubashkin could be tried without his presence in the courtroom.
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/article_5fae5024-57a9-11df-93df-001cc4c002e0.html
But first there was the issue of lunch.
Defense attorney F. Montgomery Brown said Tuesday his client, a Hasidic Jew, was on a hunger strike because he wasn't able to certify that his special meals at the Black Hawk County Jail were kosher to his level of observance of his faith.
Rubashkin had been housed at the Linn County Jail in Cedar Rapids for a federal fraud trial. He was moved to the Black Hawk County Jail this week for the duration of his child labor violation trial.
He was booked in at about 12:40 p.m. Monday and as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday hadn't eaten a bite because of dietary concerns, Brown said.
"I can't represent a client who's not going to eat," Brown said.
When Rubashkin was first brought to the jail, deputies had to carry him because he didn't have his yarmulke and his religious undershirt, Brown said. He said his client's faith prohibits him from moving more than eight cubits in any direction without the items.
That issue was later resolved, Brown said.
He also mentioned concerns about prohibitions dealing with the use of electricity and eating while the sun is up during the Sabbath. There is also the issue of 10 religious books Rubashkin needs to study.
"He doesn't watch TV and watch football games. He reads stuff," Brown said.
Jail officials said they are working on the accommodations, and the defense brought an Iowa City rabbi to help sort out the matter.
District Associate Judge Nathan Callahan said state law allows for some accommodations, but he wasn't going to rule on the issue, which he said was better suited to a higher judge.
"This case goes forward," Callahan said. "I'm not derailing this proceeding because of his choice."
He noted that Rubashkin is incarcerated, and one of the effects of being in jail is being deprived of "things that are near and dear to your heart."
He noted that Rubashkin could be tried without his presence in the courtroom.
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/article_5fae5024-57a9-11df-93df-001cc4c002e0.html
Comments:
Amazing how machmir one can become while in the slammer!
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Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: May 05, 2010 12:22 AM
: May 05, 2010 12:22 AM
