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Kayla Smith Admits Murdering Love Rival Chloe Watson in Leeds
Smith changed her plea as prosecutors said the attack followed repeated threats and a dispute over an on-off boyfriend.
- On Thursday, Kayla Smith, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering 16-year-old Chloe Watson Dransfield at Leeds Crown Court, reversing her earlier manslaughter plea on the second day of trial.
- The fatal conflict stemmed from a pre-planned fight over Blake Dowling, 18, who had dated both teenagers; Dowling's mother told the court Smith was "jealous and obsessed" over his relationship with Watson Dransfield.
- On March 28, Watson Dransfield arrived by taxi in Austhorpe, where Smith emerged carrying a 20cm knife and stabbed her five times in the neck and back, causing fatal injuries.
- While Smith awaits sentencing, the trial continues for co-defendants Blake Dowling and Archie Rycroft, 20, whom prosecutors allege organized and filmed the violence respectively.
- Mr Justice Cavanagh KC warned that a life sentence is mandatory for murder, with the court set to determine the minimum custodial term for Smith once the trial concludes for her co-defendants.
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Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
L 20%
C 70%
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