Inmates Riot to Halt Execution

Rioting inmates armed with sharpened instruments and clubs attempted to take guards hostage today at the State Penitentiary to thwart tonight’s execution of killer-escape artist James Briley.

Nine guards and one inmate were injured in the uprising, which erupted as prisoners returned to their cells from breakfast. The disturbance was crushed in 15 minutes, Corrections Director Allyn Sielaff said, and preparations continued for Briley’s execution at 11 p.m. for killing a pregnant woman and her 5-year-old son.