JTVCC Riot Trial Day 2: Key witness gives testimony

WILMINGTON, Del. – Five witnesses took the stand Tuesday. Each recounting the tragedy that took place back in 2017. Many testimonies were emotional, but the most crucial testimony came from Royal Downs. Who gave the jury an inside look into the mind of the man who claimed he planned the riot. When Downs took the stand, he made it clear that many inmates including himself, Shankaras, and others were fed up with the way they were treated inside the prison. So fed up, they started talking about ways to bring attention to their concerns and have their voices be heard. Downs says he suggested holding a peaceful protest, but Shankaras and other inmates wanted to go a different route. And planned a takeover. Downs said he wanted no parts of the riot that was planned, and saw Shankaras convincing other other inmates to get on board. A few months after the riot, Downs got a letter from Shankaras, who said the uprising “needed to happen.” In the letters, Shankaras also detailed what happened to Lieutenant Floyd and other officers inside the building. The note also detailed that Downs was money focused and for Shankaras, he wrote, what had happened during the riot was quote “his way of getting money.” Despite the letters, the defense still claims that Shankaras is innoncent. They allege that there’s no DNA or forensics showing that Shakaras took part in any of the uprising, and that he’s not criminally responsible for these crimes.  Shankaras was charged with several counts including first degree murder and kidnapping. The trial is expected to reconvene tomorrow morning at 9:45 AM.