Dismissal of killer’s federal lawsuit affirmed

The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed this week the district court’s decision to throw out a murderer’s lawsuit against Island County.

Joshua Lambert filed the federal lawsuit and appeal pro se, in pencil. He is currently serving an 80-year term for stabbing to death his grandfather, 80-year-old George Lambert, and kidnapping his great aunt on North Whidbey seven years ago.

Lambert was also originally convicted of killing his other 80-year-old grandfather, August Eisner, on the same day. That conviction was thrown out by the state Court of Appeals; the prosecutor decided not to re-file the murder charge after Lambert was re-sentenced to 80 years in prison on the other charges.

Lambert filed the lawsuit against both the county and the former jail chief. He argued that his constitutional rights were violated when he was placed in segregation after he assaulted someone; when his legal materials were confiscated after he no longer represented himself; and when he was denied medical care, specifically medication for voices in his head.

Lambert tried to make a case for insanity during his criminal trial.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals filed the unpublished memorandum Sept. 12 affirming the summary judgment dismissing the lawsuit.