By JTA
Forward.com
EDDYVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky death row inmate was denied his request to pray on the Jewish Sabbath in the prison’s chapel.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled Jan. 11 that William Harry Meece, 40, can pray in his cell, The Associated Press reported.
Meece had petitioned to be allowed to pray in the Institutional Religious Center at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville on his own or with other Jewish inmates, according to AP. Meece said it was a burden to pray in his cell, in part because of the toilet there. Meece lives separately from the rest of the prison population in an area with other death row inmates.
The three-judge appeals court panel said Meece can cover the toilet with a sheet and pray in his cell.
Full story: Death Row Inmate Loses Jewish Prayer Appeal