6 inmates plead not guilty after deadly Delaware prison riot

Six inmates have pleaded not guilty in connection with a fatal Delaware prison uprising that occurred earlier this year.

The Office of the Delaware Attorney General says six of the 18 inmates who have been indicted pleaded not guilty Tuesday. All six demanded a jury trial.

Authorities say the inmates took four hostages at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna in February. Sixteen are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lt. Steven Floyd, a corrections officer.

The trial into the riot could prove to be long and costly for the state, as only one of the 18 defendants can be represented by a public defender. That means private attorneys must be hired to represent the other 17 inmates to avoid any possible conflicts of interest.