Philip Pynn to be tried separately on HMP riot charges

A judge has agreed to separate Philip Pynn from the other men who are charged with causing February's riot at Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

Pynn — who was found guilty of manslaughter last week at Supreme Court in St. John's — is one of five men accused of multiple charges, including attacking another inmate.

Pynn's defence lawyer, Mark Gruchy, argued in court this week that he has not been well and has not had time to prepare for the trial on the HMP-related charges.

Gruchy had represented Pynn at the recent trial that involved charges laid after Nick Winsor was shot to death at a garage on Portugal Cove Road.

The Crown opposed Gruchy's application to separate the cases, but Judge Colin Flynn agreed to it.

Flynn said that making Gruchy go ahead now could prejudice the case against Pynn.

The trial for the other four men will start Thursday.

Pynn will now be tried separately on Dec. 1.