Assault on prisoners sparked unrest on day of deadly fire

Inmate Errol Kesney at the first hearing of the Commission of Inquiry into the prison unrest

-throwing of tear gas recalled

Although unable to identify who started the deadly fire that killed 17 at the Camp Street prison, two inmates yesterday testified that it was the alleged assault on fellow inmates by officers that led to the unrest that preceded the blaze.

Murder accused Errol Kesney and manslaughter accused Dwayne Lewis took the stand when the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 3rd prisoner deaths commenced at the Department of Public Service building on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

Kesney, who is still awaiting the commencement of the preliminary inquiry into the charge against him,