Photo: Nicholas Ian Roos
Convicted double murderer Nicholas Ian Roos has spent some of his time in prison filing unsuccessful lawsuits seeking post conviction relief based on the claim his attorneys did not represent him well.
The effort to obtain post conviction relief eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the high court refused to even hear the case.
In late 2019, the 30-year-old Roos also filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas complaining that certain conditions in the Arkansas prison system impede his ability to practice his religion.
According to documents filed in his lawsuit, Roos is said to claim adherence to Raja Yoga of Hinduism.
Raja Yoga, or royal yoga, is a discipline consisting of eight stages leading to self-realization and liberation.
Roos contended in his lawsuit that his religion requires him to maintain a vegetarian diet but complains that is hard to do in prison.
He alleged the tofu he is served is “a soggy, spongy, rubbery and virtually inedible substance” and that some items he is served “should not be on a vegetarian diet.”
He also complained that breakfast is served at such an early hour in the Varner Unit — where he is serving his life without parole sentence — that he is unable to meditate, as his religion requires.
Roos also says he has not been provided with a yoga mat.
Roos says he is required to “pay homage” to the sun god “Surya,” but that he goes for great lengths of time without any direct exposure to the sun.
He also made it known he was not happy with the level of cleanliness in the food service area.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, containing Roos’ litany of complaints, appears to be headed to an unsuccessful end.
Most of the complaints were dismissed some time ago, because Roos had not exhausted remedies available through the grievance process within the prison system.
The one remaining allegation — that certain prison officials retaliated against him because he had made complaints regarding his meals and other alleged restrictions on his religious practices — was dismissed against some defendants Jan. 12.
The order shows the dismissal was the result of a joint motion filed by Roos and the defendants.
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