Defense costs exceed $680K in fatal prison riot prosecution

DOVER, Del. -- Delaware taxpayers have shelled out more than $680,000 in legal defense costs for 18 prisoners charged in a deadly prison riot last year, with most defendants still waiting to be tried.

The cost to taxpayers as of late November include more than $485,000 in attorney fees and more than $84,000 for investigative services. Taxpayers also are on the hook for more than $52,600 in transcription fees and $59,000 for litigation support services.

The defense costs are in addition to $7.55 million that state officials agreed to pay to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of six Department of Correction employees, three of whom were taken hostage, and relatives of slain officer Steven Floyd.

Three inmates have been tried so far, with only one being convicted of murder in Floyd's death.

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