Man acquitted in 2019 Vaughn riot trial sentenced for 2023 murder in Wilmington

A former James T. Vaughn inmate who was acquitted in 2019 for charges related to a prison riot that occurred two years earlier has been sentenced for a 2023 murder.

Kevin Berry, 34, will spend the remainder of his life plus 10 years behind bars for the shooting death of 35-year-old Thaddeus Blackman. The murder occurred on May 9, 2023 in Wilmington's Brandywine Village neighborhood.

According to police and prosecutors, Berry walked up to Blackman near Gordon and North Market streets and "engaged in a verbal altercation."

Then, he pulled out a gun and shot Blackman three times. Blackman was rushed to Christiana Hospital, where he died.

He was indicted by a New Castle County grand jury in July 2023 and later convicted of first-degree murder and several gun charges. He was sentenced earlier this month.

What were Berry's charges from the Vaughn riot?

Berry, who had 2½ years left on his armed robbery sentence when the riot occurred in the prison's C building, had been charged with murder, assault, kidnapping, riot and conspiracy in connection with the incident. The 18-hour standoff left Officer Steven Floyd dead.

Berry was acquitted of all charges in February 2019 after a monthlong trial. It was the second of four trials associated with the uprising and hostage standoff. The first ended in mixed verdicts .

During the trial, only one witness pointed to Berry as an attacker, saying he saw blood on him. Another witness said he overheard another inmate telling Berry that he had blood on him. A third said he saw him barricading doors with locker boxes.

READ: No convictions in second Vaughn prison riot trial

Berry's defense attorney called three inmates who were in Building C at the time of the riot. All three said they didn't see Berry participating in the uprising.

None of Berry's co-defendants were convicted at that trial, though some of the verdicts were hung while others were acquittals.

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Man acquitted in 2019 Vaughn riot trial sentenced for 2023 murder in Wilmington