MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- An inmate who blames prison officials for his gum disease is going to trial after the state rejected his request to be released early as a way to settle the case.
Jerry Flanory is suing over his time at an Upper Peninsula prison. The 60-year-old says he was denied toothpaste, and as a result developed gum disease that led to the removal of a tooth.
The Corrections Department denies it. It says Flanory had only five of the typical 32 adult teeth when he entered in 2004. A trial is set for May 21 in federal court in Marquette.
In a court filing, the state says Flanory offered to drop the case if he could leave prison before the maximum date of his sentence, December 2013. The state said no.
