A federal jury verdict this week went against Dr. Richard W. Illes, a former chief heart surgeon at the former Williamsport Hospital who was convicted in a 1999 sniper-style slaying of his estranged wife, Miriam, in Loyalsock Township.

The jury said Illes, who is serving a life sentence at the State Correctional Institution at Albion in Erie County, was not denied a sufficient quantity of food to maintain normal health, a violation of the inmate’s 8th Amendment rights, while he was in temporary custody at the SCI at Camp Hill in August 2010.

The jury ruled against Illes and in favor of defendant, Chris Chambers, a unit manager for a cell block in which Illes was housed.

The temporary housing of Illes was in connection with a court appearance in a civil action he had initiated against Lycoming County Prison officials.

Inmates at SCI Camp Hill were given five to 10 minutes to present themselves at their cell doors after meals are announced.

Illes claimed he had a physical disability in which he was unable to stand at his cell door for his meals.

However, Illes had attended visits and went to the law library on several occasions, each requiring substantially more physical effort than standing at his cell door, according to the Department of Corrections’ counsel.

U.S. Middle District Judge William W. Caldwell presided over the civil jury trial.