Smith admitted to killing 16-year-old Dransfield during an early-morning fight on March 28 after initially denying murder and admitting only to manslaughter. The victim was brought to Smith’s address by 18-year-old Blake Dowling, a mutual romantic interest who court records show was aware of the hostility between the two teenagers. Dowling's mother specifically noted during the proceedings that Smith was jealous and obsessed regarding his bond with Dransfield. Proceedings remain active for Dowling and a third defendant, while Smith will be sentenced following the conclusion of their joint trial.
Key points
Smith faces a mandatory life sentence with the trial judge set to determine the minimum t…: Smith faces a mandatory life sentence with the trial judge set to determine the minimum term she must serve in custody.
Court testimonies revealed that Dowling had romantic ties with both teenagers and was ful…: Court testimonies revealed that Dowling had romantic ties with both teenagers and was fully aware of the ongoing hostility between them.
Sentencing for Smith will occur after the legal proceedings conclude for the remaining tw…: Sentencing for Smith will occur after the legal proceedings conclude for the remaining two defendants involved in the case.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
A teenager has admitted murdering a 16-year-old girl who she stabbed to death in a pre-planned fight over a boy.
Chloe Watson Dransfield, 16, was taken by her boyfriend Blake Dowling, 18, to the home of Kayla Smith, 18, who fatally stabbed her in the early hours of 28 March.
Smith had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder - but changed her plea to guilty on the second day of her trial at Leeds Crown Court.
Dowling and Archie Rycroft, 20, who followed Smith to the fight, are also charged with murder and manslaughter and their trial will continue.
The judge, Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, said he would sentence Smith once the trial was over.
He warned her that the only sentence he could pass for murder was life imprisonment, but that he would need to set the minimum term she must spend in custody.
The trial heard on Wednesday that Dowling had been in a relationship with both Chloe and Smith and "knew of the bad feeling between the two females".
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