Inmate charged in fatal riot denies committing violence

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A Delaware inmate charged in a deadly prison riot says he did not assault or kill anyone and was expecting inmates to stage a peaceful protest about prison conditions.

Jarreau Ayers, who is acting as his own attorney, took the stand Tuesday to give a narrative account of what happened during the February 2017 riot at Delaware’s maximum-security prison. A guard was killed during the riot and three other staffers were taken hostage.

Ayers and two co-defendants are being tried on murder, assault and kidnapping charges. A total of 18 inmates face trial; 16 are charged with murder in the death of Sgt. Steven Floyd.

Ayers denied killing, assaulting or kidnapping anyone but said he would not apologize for other actions during the disturbance or point the finger at other inmates.