HMP riot was a scene of chaos, guard tells trial

A correctional officer at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's told provincial court on Friday he feared a group of inmates would kill another man in a February riot.

The trial heard from HMP correctional officer Scott Guinchard who escorted Justin Harvey to the chapel on the day of the riot because Harvey had been involved in an altercation earlier that day.

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Calvin Kenny, Jody Clarke and Harvey are facing charges in relation to the riot. Justin Wiseman has already been convicted, and Philip Pynn is being tried separately.

Guinchard told the court that he noticed some of the inmates coming to the chapel that day had a "look in their eyes" like something was going to happen.

After leaving Harvey at the chapel, Guinchard says he told other correctional officers he felt something was "going down," and headed back to the chapel. When he returned, he said the scene was in total chaos.

'You're going to kill him'

He said there was fighting between inmates and broken benches strewn around the room, and he saw men pummelling Kenny Green.

Guinchard said he believed Green was the target of an attack, and had no doubt in his mind the attackers meant to hurt or kill him. 

According to Guinchard, he told the inmates to stop, saying, "You're going to kill him."

He alleged inmate Paul Connolly had a grin on his face as he struck Green twice with a broken chapel bench, despite Guinchard's warning that Green could be killed.

Guinchard said he knew he wasn't a target, despite being struck twice, adding that he felt panicked and thought he was the only officer in the room.

He added he was afraid he would be the only witness to Green's death, and the inmates would turn on him.

No weapons spotted

Guinchard said it was the worst altercation he'd ever witnessed, and had to throw his clothes away after the riot because they were so covered in blood.

He added he never saw any weapon in use during the time. Two shanks were found later.

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At the time of the riot, Guinchard said recreation was being held at the same time as chapel, and the inmates in the chapel would always choose to participate in recreation over church.

When reviewing video of the riot in court, Guinchard said he was "100 per cent sure" of the identities of those involved.

Guinchard said he saw Clarke, Connolly, Kenny and Pynn all attacking Green. He added he didn't witness Harvey do anything.

He said inmate Devon Dominix had helped Green, and identified him in a second security video as the man stomping on Pynn's head.

Wiseman was convicted earlier on Friday, and sentenced to just under seven months for his part in the riot, as well as another incident of property damage in his cell in March.

Pynn, who was convicted of manslaughter earlier this month, is also accused in the riot, but will be tried separately. He is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 1.

The trial is set to resume on Friday afternoon.