Inmate says he needs Thor’s hammer, drum

Items essential for Utah convict’s Nordic religion, lawsuit contends

Video: Crime & courts

Casey Anthony charged with murder
Oct. 15: A grand jury has decided that there is enough evidence to charge Anthony with 1st degree capital murder following an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of her daughter Caylee. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports.

Grandma thinks tot is still alive

Justice turns legal brief into detective story

Mom charged in missing toddler's death

Probation officer, porn star?

On the run

15 Most Wanted

The U.S. Marshals want your help finding their "15 Most Wanted" fugitives, a notorious list of suspects fleeing everything from murder and robbery to child sex charges. To date, about 200 of the fugitives profiled on the list have been found. Tips leading to an arrest are rewarded up to $25,000. Click here to see the fugitives.

updated 6:59 p.m. ET Dec. 21, 2007

SALT LAKE CITY - An inmate is suing the Utah Department of Corrections for denying him his right to practice an ancient Nordic religion while behind bars.

Michael Polk is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery. He filed a lawsuit against corrections officials in federal court, accusing them of denying him religious items that he says are necessary to practice the Asatru religion.

The religion worships ancient Nordic gods, such as Odin, Thor, Tyr and Heimdal.

Story continues below ↓

In the lawsuit, Polk says he has been a member of the Asatru faith since 2005, and in order to properly practice it he needs items that include: a Thor's hammer, a prayer cloth, a horn used for drinking Wassail, a drum made of wood and boar skin, a rune staff and a sword.