Today, in response to the verdicts rendered in the cases of Abednego Baynes, Kevin Berry, John Bramble and Obadiah Miller, the second set of defendants to face trial for their involvement in the February 1, 2017 hostage event at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, DOC Commissioner Phelps offered the following statement:
“We are disappointed by the news today, but we respect the decisions made by the men and women of the jury. We are grateful for the efforts of the Delaware State Police and the Department of Justice who tirelessly pursued justice on behalf of our fallen officer. Regardless of the outcome, the DOC will remain: One Family, One Team.”
The jury did not come to a conclusion on the murder, riot and assault charges for Miller or the riot charge for Bramble. The state may choose to re-try them in the future. Berry and Baynes were acquitted of all charges.
There was no unanimous verdict by the jury. They were at an impasse on several counts.
Obadiah Miller
Riot – no decision
Felony murder – no decision
Murder of law enforcement officer –no decision
First-degree Assault, Wilkinson – not guilty
First-degree Assault, Smith – not guilty
Kidnapping Floyd – not guilty
Kidnapping – Wilkinson – not guilty
Kidnapping co smith – not guilty
Kidnapping may – not guilty
Conspiracy – not guilty
John Bramble
Riot – no decision
Murder felony – not guilty
Murder law enforcement officer – not guilty
First-degree Assault, Wilkinson – not guilty
First-degree assault on Smith – no decision
First-degree Kidnapping, Floyd – not guilty
Kidnapping, Wilkinson – not guilty
Kidnapping Smith – not guilty
Patricia may – not guilty
Conspiracy – not guilty
Abednego Baynes
Riot – not guilty
Murder – not guilty
Murder of law enforcement officer – not guilty
Assault, two counts – not guilty
kidnapping all counts – not guilty
conspiracy – not guilty
Kevin Berry
Riot – not guilty
Murder 1st degree felony – not guilty
Murder in 1st degree law enforcement officer – not guilty
Assault, two counts – not guilty
Kidnapping, four counts –not guilty
Conspiracy – not guilty