Two 16-year-olds have been found guilty of murdering Birchwood teenager Brianna Ghey.
The killers, known only as Girl X and Boy Y due to court reporting restrictions, were each convicted by a unanimous verdict, following a three week trial at Manchester Crown Court.
During the trial the court heard how the pair, who had been friends for a number of years, conspired to kill 16-year-old Brianna.
Girl X admitted she was "attracted" to Brianna, who was transgender. In the months leading up to Brianna's death that attraction became rather sinister and unhealthy.
On Monday, 23rd January 2023, around 3 weeks before Brianna's death, Girl X exchanged messages with Boy Y that discussed poisoning Brianna.
Girl X, who was maintaining a pretence of friendliness, claimed to have drugged Brianna without her knowledge. Girl X knew that Brianna was vulnerable and suffered from anxiety, so she reasoned that an overdose would arouse little suspicion.
Girl X added: "I gave her some today that should have been enough to kill her - but she didn't die." The pair then discussed hiding an excess of ibuprofen gel in Brianna's McDonald's milkshake. They also discussed different poisons, including cocaine and caustic soda, that could be used to cause harm to Brianna.
Esther Ghey, Brianna's mother, recalled that later that same week Brianna became violently ill. She was rolling around on her bed, doubled-over in agony. Brianna then vomited and small pieces of what appeared to be grape skin were present. Brianna recovered quickly after she had vomited. At the time Ms Ghey thought that Brianna may have eaten too many grapes, but on reflection she agreed that the small pieces in Brianna's vomit might have been the remnants of ibuprofen capsules.
Girl X, who the jury heard was obsessed with death and violence, had written a "murder plan" in relation to Brianna in the days leading up to her murder. She shared the plan, which bore striking similarity to Brianna's actual murder, with Boy Y and the pair discussed the finer details together.
Boy Y had a hunting-type knife he had bought during an earlier family skiing holiday. The pair discussed the suitability of the knife as their murder weapon, with Boy Y confirming it was sharp enough for the task. It was agreed that Boy Y would bring the knife to Culcheth on the day of the murder.
It was originally the pair's intention cause harm to Brianna a fortnight earlier on Saturday, 28th January 2023. Girl X had arranged to meet Brianna in Linear Park, but she had cancelled at the last moment due to a family birthday party. Girl X messaged Boy Y she was "fucking pissed" that Brianna was a no-show. She added: "I don't want to wait, I just want her to die really badly. I want to see pure horror on her face and hear her scream in pain."
On Saturday, 11th February 2023, the day of Brianna's murder, Girl X had again arranged to meet with her in Linear Park. It has been suggested that Girl X lured Brianna to Linear Park with the offer of illegal drugs. Girl X had also agreed to meet Boy Y, who she told to bring his knife. Boy Y had never met Brianna, despite having discussed her a lot with Girl X.
The pair walked around Culcheth for a quite a time, pausing to buy a supermarket meal deal before meeting Brianna off the bus at the library. The three then walked to Linear Park, where Brianna was violently stabbed to death.
Moments after the vicious attack a dog walker saw Girl X and Boy Y near to Brianna's lifeless body. The pair fled, with Girl X pausing briefly to stare the dog walker in the face.
Given today's verdict, it matters not who actually wielded the knife - both are equally guilty of Brianna's murder.
The killers showed no emotion as the foreman of the jury returned its unanimous guilty verdicts. Their parents, who had been present throughout the trial, were visibly distraught.
Addressing the troubled teens, Mrs Justice Yip said: "Given you've been found guilty. I will have to sentence you. I'm sure you already know I will have to impose a life sentence.
"What I have to decide is the minimum amount of time you will be required to serve before you might be considered for release. I'm not going to do that this week. I'm going to ask for reports in relation to both of you. I will have to find a date that is suitable for that purpose."
Turning to the jury, the Judge thanked them for their service and excused them from any further jury duty.
She told the twelve jurors: "I hope knowing you have fulfilled such an important public duty will be of some comfort to you. You go with our sincere thanks for the work you have put in."
This was a wicked, wicked crime. There is no doubt at all that it was meticulously planned over a protracted length of time and carried out in the most barbaric manner.
Girl X, in my view, is particularly dangerous. She has mentally-rehearsed and fantasised about Brianna's murder for months, before finally luring her to her death. Girl X feigned friendship towards Brianna, who she knew was vulnerable. She brutally repaid Brianna's trust by orchestrating her death. Girl X has lied about her involvement in Brianna’s death and tried to destroy and delete evidence of her crime. These are serious aggravating factors that will feature prominently when the Judge determines the minimum term for her crime.
Boy Y, for want of a better expression, seems to be Girl X's lapdog. Socially awkward, with very few friends, he blindly followed Girl X's lead in an effort to placate her. He didn't know Brianna, but having been drip fed Girl X's vitriol he too began to resent her. Boy Y provided the weapon used to kill Brianna, having previously determined it was suitable for the job. It is likely Brianna's first stab wounds were inflicted by him.
Ordinarily, the identities of Girl X and Boy Y would be protected until their eighteenth birthdays. However, given the horrific circumstances of their crime and wider public interest, it is entirely likely that the court will make an excepting direction to reveal their identities earlier. As it stands the killers' names are already widely known in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas, so there is little to stop them spreading via word of mouth.
The killers of Brianna Ghey will be sentenced in the new year.
Update (21/12/23): Mrs Justice Yip has set the sentencing hearing for Friday, 2nd February 2024. The Judge has said that the order protecting the killers' identities will be lifted on that occasion.
No comments:
Post a Comment