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Calgary murderer bruised in riot sues province, jail guard for $50K

Calgary murderer bruised in riot sues province, jail guard for $50K

A Calgary murderer who suffered bruises to his face while he was awaiting trial at the remand centre in 2014 is now suing the Alberta government for $50,000.

The injuries were allegedly suffered during a riot that began in the unit where Kyle Ledesma was being held, according to a statement of claim filed at the Calgary Courts Centre.

It started after correctional officers threw an inmate's food in the garbage during a search on Nov. 22, 2014 — prompting several inmates to protest.

They set fire to the common area of the unit but Ledesma did not participate, according to the lawsuit.

Heavily armed officers entered the area and tear gas was used on several of the inmates. Ledesma suffered burning eyes from the gas, had to lay down on the ground and vomited blood, he claims.

He refused to obey orders to crawl towards the officers because he was scared of the fire, according to the document.

Officers struck Ledesma in the head with their shields and knees, and he alleges he was then handcuffed and his head was hit against the wall.

"Mr. Ledesma was injured by the assault, battery and deliberate acts," reads the statement of claim.

The only injury listed on the document is "bruising to his face."

Ledesma is seeking $50,000 for pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit document have been proven in court.

Last year Ledesma was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years for killing bartender Dexter Bain in November 2010 in a botched robbery.

Ledesma's brother, Marlon, is charged with second-degree murder, accused of beating to death a fellow inmate at the Remand Centre in September.

Ledesma's mother, Cherry, was beaten to death by her boyfriend in 2011.

Kyle Ledesma is appealing his conviction and is currently serving at the Kent Institution in Agassiz, B.C.

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