Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann says two men have been convicted following a riot that occurred at the Auburn Correctional Facility in May 2019.
The incident unfolded on May 11, 2019 when 25 to 30 inmates engaged in a violent riot in the south yard of the prison.
According to Budelmann, Phillip Bradley, who was found guilty of first-degree riot- sparked the incident by striking a corrections officer who was escorting him out of the yard for a disciplinary infraction.
Bradley then violently fought with three different officers until they were able to place him in handcuffs. At that point, Russel Williams, who was found guilty of first-degree riot and second-degree assault attacked several officers in the yard during that incident.
One officer was sent to the hospital and required shoulder surgery- and missed several months of work due to the injury.
The inmate riot only ended after officers fired teargas into the yard. At least five officers required hospital treatment.
The trial started on May 3 with Judge Mark Fandrich presiding. The jury of 12 deliberated for over an hour before reaching a verdict.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Validina prosecuted the case. He was assisted by Assistant District Attorney Eric Grome and Victim/Witness Coordinator Kristine Francey.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 27. Both face several more years in prison as result of the incident.
“These inmates, along with others, perpetrated violent attacks on law enforcement officers within Auburn Correctional Facility. We will ask the Court to impose maximum sentences and thereby hold them accountable. We wish to send a loud and clear message to inmates that violent crimes committed by inmates within our correctional facilities will not be tolerated,” Budelmann said in a statement.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].