Bianca Bharti, Daily Herald
The RCMP charged three men in the death of an inmate during the 2016 Saskatchewan Penitentiary riot. Kelfert Wayne Watetch, 27; Brandon Wyatt Burns, 23 and Landon Bryce McKay, 21 are all facing second degree murder charges in the death of inmate Jason Leonard Bird.
During the riot, the suspects allegedly tried to lethally assault a 31-year-old inmate, adding attempted murder to their list of charges, according to an RCMP press release. The victim’s name and sustained injuries were not released.
The trio made their first appearance in court today.
Bird was found unresponsive in his medium security unit on the night of the deadly riots on December 14, 2016. He was transported to the hospital where staff pronounced him dead.
Prisoners began rioting when they were told to lock up, after days of refusing to work. According to post-incident reports, grievances over food quantity and quality played a major role in the event.
