Judge to issue ruling on force feeding

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A Connecticut judge says he will decide soon whether a hunger-striking prisoner can be force-fed.

The prisoner, William Coleman, is challenging a bid by the state Department of Corrections to obtain a permanent injunction that would allow the state to feed him forcibly.

Coleman, who was convicted in 2005 of raping his wife, says he's staging the hunger strike to protest what he calls a corrupt judicial system, The Hartford Courant reported Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge James Graham issued a temporary injunction in January 2008 that allows the state to feed Coleman forcibly.

In 10 forced-feeding sessions last fall, Coleman was tied down and given artificial hydration and electrolytes through a tube in his nose. Coleman later agreed to take liquids and a nutritional drink, the Courant said.

Coleman, who is scheduled to be released in December 2012.