The jury in the trial of two inmates charged with the murder of Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of Lostprophets, has been dismissed due to legal reasons.
Rico Gedel, aged 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, aged 44, were on trial at Leeds Crown Court for the alleged murder of Watkins. Watkins, aged 48, was fatally stabbed by Gedel in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offenses.
During the trial, Gedel claimed that after leaving Watkins’ cell, he handed a makeshift knife to fellow inmate Samuel Dodsworth, who allegedly disposed of it in a bin. Both defendants denied the charges of murdering Watkins and possessing a knife in prison.
On Friday, the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Hilliard, discharged the jury, stating, “Regrettably, I have to discharge you, and the case will need to be retried. This is disappointing for you and everyone involved.”
Gedel expressed his disdain for being housed with sex offenders at Wakefield and had reportedly threatened to harm “any number of pedophiles” if he was not relocated.
He mentioned that he selected Watkins mainly due to their proximity, as he had been moved to the cell next to Watkins the previous night after an altercation with three other prisoners on a different wing.
Gedel admitted to conflicting feelings about killing Watkins, stating, “Part of me wanted to do it, but another part didn’t. Sometimes, what you desire in your heart is not in line with what your mind wants.”
Prosecutors argued that both Gedel and Dodsworth were complicit in the murder, with Dodsworth being aware of the impending attack and aiding Gedel by disposing of the knife.
Dodsworth, who is serving a sentence for a rape conviction, maintained that he had no involvement in the incident and was merely present at the wrong place and time.
He claimed that Gedel handed him the knife after exiting Watkins’ cell, and although he attempted to return it, he panicked upon seeing Watkins injured and disposed of the knife.
Watkins was sentenced to 29 years imprisonment in December 2013, with an additional six years on license, following his admission of various sexual offenses, including the attempted rape of an infant belonging to a fan.
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