Inmate Convicted Of First Killing Of Fellow Inmate At Supermax

DENVER (CBS4) - Ten years after the first killing at the Supermax prison at Florence in Southern Colorado, an inmate was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder by stomping and kicking another inmate to death.

Jurors rejected Silvestre Rivera's defense that he murdered Manuel Torrez in self-defense in 2005 at the nation's highest-security federal prison.

David Lane, one of Rivera's attorneys, said the only possible sentence is life in prison without the possibility of being released.

"It is certain there will be an appeal," Lane told CBS4. "We're very disappointed in the verdict."

A trial date has not been set for Rivera's co-defendant, Richard Santiago. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for him.

Numerous prison employees and inmates testified during the U.S. District Court trial that began April 6. Jurors reached a verdict 1 1/2 days after they began deliberating.

Torrez, 64, was attacked in an exercise-yard cage because Rivera feared he would be killed as the result of orders Torrez purportedly gave to have Rivera killed, Lane told jurors.

"He's allowed to defend his life."

Lane, in closing arguments Monday, also asserted that Torrez was a gang member who could order other members to injure or kill other inmates.

A prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney M. J. Menendez, disputed Lane's version.

"He (Rivera) did not act in self-defense," she told jurors. "Hold him accountable."