HMP riot accused 'reunited' at Supreme Court appearance

A group of men accused oftaking part in a riot at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's in February appeared in Supreme Court on Monday, and at least some of them seemed to be pleased at the reunion.

The trial for Jody Clarke, Justin Harvey, Calvin Kenny, Philip Pynn and Justin Wiseman was supposed to start on Monday. At least some of the men have branded themselves members of the St. John's Mob Squad.

The five men are accused of taking part in a riot in the HMP chapel, with the real intent being an attack on Kenny Green, who pleaded guilty in May to manslaughter in the beating death of Joey Whalen.

Kenny, Pynn and Wiseman, at least, seemed to treat the appearance as a reunion of sorts, greeting each other and friends in the gallery with smiles and laughter.

"What's up buddy?" "This is like a reunion," and "This is awesome," are some of the greetings that were heard from Kenny and Wiseman.

Wiseman was brought in from the penitentiary in Renous, N.B., where he's serving five years for robberies and an armed standoff with police.

However, Clarke and Harvey didn't seem in as jovial a mood as their co-accused.

Arguments to be heard Wednesday

Mark Gruchy, Pynn's lawyer, asked for a postponement or to have Pynn severed from the others for trial.

Gruchy said after the second-degree murder trial, where Pynn was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of his friend Nick Winsor, he's had no time to prepare properly for this trial, adding he was also very sick.

The judge said he wouldn't grant a postponement, but would consider having Pynn tried separately from the rest.

Crown prosecutor Danny Vavasour said he was opposed to the idea, stating that it wasn't in the best interest of justice.

The judge said he would hear arguments on Wednesday morning and give an immediate decision on the matter.

As things came to an end, there seemed to be a lot of love between members of the St. John's Mob Squad and friends in the gallery, and people can be heard saying, "Love you man," as the accused are taken out of the courtroom.