Lawsuit over porn spiked after inmate fails to pay

MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) -- A convicted bank robber who sued to get access to pornography while being held in a county jail has quickly lost his case. A federal judge in Detroit dismissed the lawsuit last week because Kyle Richards didn't pay the $350 filing fee. The judge says Richards needed to pay because he has a history of frivolous lawsuits. Richards sued state officials in June while being held in the Macomb County jail, where pornography is not allowed. He subsequently pleaded guilty to bank robbery and was sentenced last week to at least three years in prison. Richards said denial of erotic materials is cruel and unusual punishment. But he still may get his wish: The state does allow some sexual material in prison as long as it isn't violent. Published: Tue, Aug 9, 2011