JTVCC Riot Trial Week 5: Jury Deliberations Day Two

WILMINGTON, Del. – For the second day, the jury was unable to reach a conclusion on the guilt or innocence of the first inmates standing trial for the murder of Lt. Stephen Floyd.

This case has been a month long and Jarreau Ayers, Dwayne Staats, and Deric Forney will have to wait a little longer to learn their fates. The jury has already deliberated for 14 hours and have not reached any verdicts.

They have to determine three sets of verdicts, as they are placed on a unique case that had three different trials going on simultaneously. Beyond that, they have numerous counts to go over such as first degree murder, kidnapping, assault, and rioting.

Throughout the day, the jury has asked the judge several questions such as the meaning of accomplice liability and restraint. That’s a big part of this case, accomplice liability. For example in the State’s argument, several witnesses say they saw Forney attacking Correctional Officer Joshua Wilkinson. As Forney allegedly restrained him, the State says he allowed the bigger plan to be accomplished, which includes the murder of Lt. Steven Floyd.

Last week during closing statements, the state told the jury that these three men should be held accountable, as they acted as accomplices, which in turn led to the death of Lt. Steven Floyd.

Meanwhile, the three inmates on trial have maintained their innocence with Staats saying that even though he was the mastermind behind the take over, he never intended for anyone to be hurt. Forney and Ayers said they never hurt anyone during the riot.

Ultimately, this all relies on the hands of the jury. The jury will continue their deliberations Tuesday morning.