Judge rules against wrongful death suit

BANGOR – A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the sister of a sword-wielding man who was shot to death by a state trooper should be thrown out, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Kravchuk this week filed a recommended decision to dismiss the complaint filed by Maria Kaluzynski, sister of Jerzy Sidor.

Sidor, 43, who was described as a paranoid schizophrenic in the lawsuit, was shot to death by Trooper Don Armstrong on Dec. 26, 1999.

Sidor had attacked troopers with a 3-foot sword after they attempted to take him into protective custody because he had stopped eating and drinking and had also threatened a crisis worker three days earlier.

Kaluzynski claimed police and others acted with “deliberate and intentional disregard” to her brother’s interests and need better training to deal with mentally ill people like her brother.

Her lawsuit sought unspecified monetary damages plus interest and payment of costs and attorneys fees. The Attorney General’s Office declared the trooper was justified in using deadly force.

Kravchuk’s decision may be appealed within 10 days, otherwise it stands.