Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - County dealing with claim

County dealing with claim

Nov 27, 2007 - 04:05:33 CST

FARGO (AP) - Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick says his office is preparing to deal with a negligence claim from Moe Gibbs that seeks $24 million from the county.

Gibbs, a former Barnes County jailer convicted of killing Valley City State University student Mindy Morgenstern, sent a letter to Sheriff Paul Laney saying he suffered a serious injury to his wrist when he slipped on a freshly waxed floor at the jail in Fargo in May.

Burdick said Gibbs may have misunderstood a 180-day deadline for filing a claim notice. He said that deadline applies to state agencies rather than counties.

"I think perhaps he was somewhat mistaken in that, but he submitted the letter. We'll deal with it," Burdick said.

"We'll look at the matter, recognize it's a potential claim that he may raise (in court) at some point," Burdick said.

Gibbs remains in the Cass County jail awaiting sentencing Dec. 17 for Morgenstern's death. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 20 for a 2004 Fargo rape, after pleading guilty Monday in that case.

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Comments

Tim wrote on Dec 23, 2007 10:13 PM:

" Just think, He wants 24 million dollars from the taxpayers of Cass County for an injured wrist. And now the taxpayers of all of North Dakota are gonna pay his medical bills until he dies. Where does he think hes gonna loose 24million in pay or for pain and suffering? Working at the pen for $1.00 a day? Hes nuts and so is any judge that will allow this. The only good thing about this would be that the family of Mindy could then turn around and sue him for everything he has for the loss of their child. But the fact that he is able to sue the county or state for anything is outrageous. "

slipperyslope wrote on Nov 27, 2007 8:46 PM:

" what is to stop inmates in the pen and county jails from all "slipping" and bankrupting the government for a few laughs? how can he claim $24 million for a wrist when we have troops losing their LIVES for much less? "

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