Judge Refuses Inmate’s Request to Change Name to ‘Sinner’
A Nebraska judge has refused an inmate’s request to change his first name to “sinner.”
Inmate Jonathan Thomas wanted to change his name to ”Sinner Lawrence Bilskirnir,” and cited his Norse religious beliefs as a reason, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. The inmate’s petition said he is a heathen and Thor is his “High God.”
Judge Steven Burns of Lincoln refused the request. Burns said a name change could thwart governmental agencies that need to keep track of Thomas. Three child support cases are pending against the inmate, who has been convicted of attempted burglary, drug possession and receipt of stolen property, according to the story.
“Simply because a person is a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim, they do not change their name to Moses,” Burns wrote.
