One inmate died and eight others were injured during a riot at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in late 2016. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Prison riot death

Inmate sentenced in connection to 2016 Prison riot death

Jun 12, 2019 | 11:49 AM

One of five men charged in the death of an inmate during a riot at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in 2016, has received a 10 year sentence.

Kelfert Wayne Watetch, 28, was sentenced Tuesday at Court of Queen’s Bench in Prince Albert. Watetch had entered guilty pleas to the charges of second degree murder and attempted murder last May.

In December, 2016, Jason Leonard Bird was located unresponsive in the medium security section of the penitentiary after the prison’s emergency response team entered the unit to quell the riot. The disturbance involved more than 180 inmates. At the time of the incident, Watetch was serving a seven year sentence for manslaughter and obstruction of justice. His new sentence will run consecutively to that.

Four other men were also charged with second degree murder and attempted murder in connection with Bird’s death. Brandon Burns, Landon McKay, Sundance Okemaysim, and Klaine Campeay, are scheduled to face trial in October.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell