Jury selection started Monday in the first of several trials connected to the deadly Vaughn prison riot.
Jarreau Ayers, Derric Forney, Roman Shankaras and Dwayne Staats will be the first inmates tried in Superior Court for their alleged involvement in the February 2017 riot at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.
According to court officials, the eighteen inmates facing charges are being split into five trials that are expected to stretch into April of next year.
The first four defendants are all charged with the murder of Correctional Officer Lt. Steven Floyd, as well as assault, kidnapping, riot and conspiracy.
Trial for these first four defendants is scheduled to begin October 22nd.
The State of Delaware Administrative Office of the Courts has released the following tentative schedule for the trials:
Group 1: Jury Selection – October 8, 2018 to completion; Trial – October 22, 2018 to November 9, 2018
Group 2: Jury Selection – November 13, 2018 to completion; Trial – November 26, 2018 to December 14, 2018
Group 3: Jury Selection – January 7, 2019 to completion; Trial – January 14, 2019 to February 1, 2019
Group 4: Jury Selection – February 18, 2019 to completion; Trial – February 25, 2019 to March 15, 2019
Group 5: Jury Selection – March 18, 2019 to completion; Trial – March 25, 2019 to April 12, 2019
This story has been updated to include the latest information about the anticipated schedule of the trials.
