LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A man serving a life sentence for murder is accusing Nez Perce County and a public defender of constitutional violations.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that Leotis B. Branigh III filed a tort claim with the Nez Perce County Auditor's Office seeking $500,000 for "unethical legal harm" and psychological harm.

Branigh says the attorney and county failed to inform him that a motion he filed had been denied until after the appeal period had passed.

Branigh represented himself at his murder trial in 2008. He was convicted and in 2013 the Idaho Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's ruling.

The county has 90 days from the Dec. 23 filing to address the claim. The attorney denies the accusations.

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