Summary
Kayla Smith, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, who was fatally stabbed in Leeds on 28 March. Smith changed her plea during her trial at Leeds Crown Court; two other defendants remain on trial over their alleged roles in the events leading to the stabbing.Key Facts
- Smith had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder.
- The court heard that Smith and Chloe had argued and that Smith had threatened to stab her.
- Chloe’s boyfriend, Blake Dowling, took her by taxi to Smith’s home after the two girls agreed to fight.
- Dowling and Archie Rycroft, 20, are charged with murder and manslaughter; their trial is continuing.
- Prosecutors allege that Rycroft accompanied Smith and offered support, and that Dowling helped arrange the confrontation.
- CCTV and doorbell video showed Smith holding a knife before the stabbing and running back to an annexe with Rycroft afterward.
- Chloe was stabbed five times in the neck and back and died from blood loss.
- The judge said Smith will be sentenced after the trial and that murder carries a life sentence, with a minimum time in custody to be set.
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