JTVCC Riot Trial Group 2: Opening Arguments

WILMINGTON, Del. – The 47 ABC crew is back in Wilmington for opening arguments for the second group of inmates on trial for the James T. Vaughn uprising.

18 inmates were indicted for the deadly takeover back in 2017. 16 for the murder of Lieutenant Steven Floyd, the correctional officer who was killed during the riot.

Abednego Baynes, Kevin Berry, John Bramble, and Obadiah Miller are the four men charged with several counts, including first degree murder.

The State’s opening arguments allege that this take over was coordinated and vicious and that these four men played a major role in that takeover.

According to the State, each and every one of these defendants participated in the assaults of the three correctional officers. Plus, they say witnesses allegedly saw these men with blood on their clothing.

Despite four different cases going on, all of the defense lawyers say that their client is innocent.

John Bramble’s lawyer tells the jury that there’s an array of contradictions in the upcoming testimonies and that witnesses have been housed together, which gives them the opportunity to talk and create a similar story. As for Kevin Berry’s lawyer, he said that much of the evidence comes from witnesses and it comes down to their credibility.

He also said to the jury that if they weren’t firmly convinced that the defendant should be acquitted.

Three of the four men in the case have pleaded not guilty.

The trials for the first group of inmates ended back in November. Dwayne Staats was found guilty for first degree murder and Deric Forney was acquitted.

There are three groups still left to go.