Judge: Mass. sex change inmate's lawyers get $700K

BOSTON (AP) -- A federal judge says he'll order Massachusetts to pay more than $700,000 in legal fees for a convicted murderer who successfully sued for a state-funded sex change.

The Boston Globe reports Judge Mark Wolf said Wednesday he'll decide the specific amount later.

The judge ruled in September sex reassignment surgery is the "only adequate treatment" for Michelle Kosilek's gender-identity disorder and awarded legal fees.

It was the first time a judge has ordered prison officials to provide sex reassignment surgery to an inmate. The state is appealing and won't comment.

The judge says the state has paid large legal fees in other prisoner rights cases. He notes Kosilek's lawyers have offered to dismiss their request if the state drops its appeal.

Kosilek was named Robert when convicted of his wife's 1990 murder.