Irate Inmate

In 2012 alone, prison inmates have been subjected to too much soy, shoddy dental work, religious discrimination and attacks by the Kardashians. Now another inmate is suing the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for denying him access to jigsaw puzzles. Alan Burkun, who is serving a six year sentence for stock fraud, says he tried to order a puzzle from Amazon.com last year, but that prison officials denied his request.

Burkun claims that the prison is violating his First Amendment rights, but lawyers from the Department of Justice argued in a letter that puzzles “could cause unnecessary clutter, pose a fire hazard, and/or limit Berkun's living area.” They added that the dispute “could also raise issues of fairness. If Berkun is permitted his puzzle, other inmates may also request a puzzle, once again raising concerns of limited space.”

Sickening Sandwich

Skip this story if you're planning on eating lunch today, or ever again. A New Jersey deli cook, angry over a past arrest, found an especially distasteful way to get revenge. When the arresting officer, Jeremy Merck, later ordered an egg, turkey and cheese sandwich at the Good Foods to Go deli, Ryan Burke put his chest and pubic hair inside before serving it.

After discovering the extra ingredients, Merck sued the deli, claiming that it was negligent for failing to properly supervise its employees and not adequately examining the sandwich. The parties recently settled the case for $13,750. Burke, who was immediately fired, pled guilty to aggravated assault on an officer and retaliation for a past official action.

Accidental Amputation

An Illinois* man hunting for deer became his own prey last year, when a faulty crossbow allegedly severed his thumb. Cyril Korte says he purchased the bow from Cabela's, an outdoor gear retailer, because employees told him it was “the best and safest crossbow.” But on a November 2011 hunting trip, Korte claims that he fired the crossbow, causing the bow string to amputate his thumb.

Korte is suing Cabela's and crossbow maker Hunter's Manufacturing Co., arguing that the bow's GripSafety mechanism was ineffective. He is seeking $75,000 for medical costs, physical impairment and pain and suffering.

*This article originally said that Korte was from Wisconsin. He is actually from Madison County, Ill.