Gang discipline turned deadly inside Stony, court told

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This article was published 04/11/2011 (5427 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Members of a Winnipeg street gang allegedly went too far with a “disciplinary hearing” that turned deadly inside Stony Mountain penitentiary.

Jurors heard Thursday that David Tavares wasn’t originally marked for death when a high-ranking decision among inmates was made to go after him inside the medium-security prison north of Winnipeg. But the March 2005 attack quickly got out of hand and ended with Tavares suffering massive trauma.

Four men are now on trial for their alleged roles in the slaying. Victor Ryle is accused of ordering the attack and has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. Alvin Cote, Charles Coaster and Evan Myran are accused of carrying out the fatal beating and are charged with second-degree murder.

The Crown told jurors Thursday that a previous trial for the accused “could not be completed.” No further information was given.

Tavares, 40, was jumped while in a prison recreation room. He was punched and fell to the floor near some pool tables, where he was repeatedly kicked in the head. The attackers dragged him to a washroom. The unconscious Tavares was only found after the recreation centre was closed for the day and staff were making sure everybody was out. He was taken to the infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Tavares was in Stony Mountain serving a 39-month sentence for driving-related offences. Jurors heard he become a member of the Native Syndicate while in prison but had angered fellow gang members by his conduct, which included openly complaining about several people owing him money.

Tavares had also obtained contraband alcohol and was drinking on the day he was killed, according to the Crown. A decision was made to discipline Tavares by assaulting him in the form of a time beating.

One of the Crown’s key witnesses is another gang member who was in Stony and claims he was tasked with “timing” the attack. The accused were much bigger than Tavares, who only stood about 5-foot-10 and weighed about 190 pounds, court was told.

Jurors are expected to hear plenty of evidence about the inner workings of the gang, especially behind bars. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Tavares is originally from Thunder Bay and had been jailed after a June 28, 2000 drunk-driving incident is which his pickup truck, leaving Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Ontario, went out of control and rolled over, injuring its occupants.

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