Inmates at Virginia Prison Attack Guards, Injuring 9, in Attempt to Disrupt Execution

RICHMOND, Va. — Inmates seeking to disrupt the execution of James D. Briley attacked and injured nine guards Thursday, while the condemned killer made a last-ditch court bid to block his electrocution.

Briley’s execution for the murders of a woman and her young son was planned in the electric chair last occupied by his brother, Linwood, who was put to death Oct. 12 for a separate murder.

A Department of Corrections spokesman said the prisoner uprising was designed to disrupt the execution, but would have no such effect. The disturbance was put down quickly, he said, because penitentiary officials had received a tip Wednesday night that an incident was brewing.

The Virginia Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request from Briley’s attorney for a stay based on what lawyer Gerald T. Zerkin said was newly uncovered evidence. He planned to take his request next to federal court. Zerkin said he had located a woman who claims another prisoner at the Mecklenburg Correctional Center told her he committed the murders for which Briley was condemned.