Opening statements set in fatal prison riot prosecution

Monday, October 22, 2018

Vaughn Prison riot trial begins. Matt O'Donnell reports during Action News Mornings on October 22, 2018.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Opening statements are set in the trial of four Delaware inmates charged with murder, kidnapping and other crimes following a fatal prison riot.

Prosecutors also are expected to call their initial witnesses Monday in a trial expected to last two weeks or more.

The defendants are among 18 inmates charged in the riot. One inmate has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others, who will be tried in five separate groups.

Jury selection for Delaware prison riot. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News Mornings on October 8, 2018.

Inmates at the state's maximum-security prison rioted in February 2017, killing prison guard Steven Floyd and taking three other staffers hostage.

Two other prison guards were released by inmates after being beaten and tormented. A female counselor was held hostage for almost 20 hours before tactical teams burst through a wall with a backhoe and rescued her.