A state appellate panel decided that the disciplinary actions taken against a 57-year-old convicted killer for throwing a bucket of feces, urine and hot water on two corrections officers was unfair.
After spending 3.5 years in administrative segregation, it was determined that 57-year-old Rigoberto Mejia's case has served to establish guidelines to treat inmates more fairly with future disciplinary actions.
On July 15, 2013, Mejia threw bucket of hot water, feces and urine on a corrections officer who was outside his cell and a second officer below Mejia's cell where he served a 40 years prison term for murder.
After an administrative hearing, Mejia was found guilty of two counts of throwing bodily fluids, tampering with or blocking any locked device and disruptive conduct. He was sent to 1,275 days of administrative segregation, 30 days of disciplinary detention, 90 days' loss of television, phone and radio privileges and 60 days' loss of recreation privileges. He was also prohibited from having 910 days count toward the day of his potential release on parole.
The appellate panel, called the sanctions "arbitrary and unreasonable." According to the court, Mejia should have spent no more than 365 days in solitary confinement.
It was also uncovered that Mejia was not properly evaluated for mental health issues, which is required of all inmates who are charged with infractions.
Mejia was sentenced to death for killing Balbino Garcia, a co-worker -in December 1991. However, in 1995, his sentence was converted to 40 years in prison.