In the United Kingdom, the jury in the trial of two inmates accused of murdering paedophile Ian Watkins in prison has been discharged, with a retrial now expected.
The former Lostprophets frontman was stabbed to death with a makeshift knife in his cell at high-security HMP Wakefield on 11 October last year.
Serving prisoners Rico Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 44, both denied murder and possession of a knife in prison. They are due to face a retrial.
Watkins, 48, from Pontypridd, was jailed for 29 years in December 2013 after admitting multiple sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
Addressing the jury at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, Mr Justice Hilliard said: “Very reluctantly, I’m going to discharge you and the case will have to be re-tried.
“That’s disappointing for you and for everyone.”
The court was told the retrial has been provisionally scheduled for 8 February next year.
During proceedings, jurors heard that Gedel entered Watkins’ cell around 09:20 BST, less than 20 minutes after it was unlocked in the morning.
Once inside, he allegedly stabbed Watkins in the head and neck using a makeshift blade constructed from a piece of plastic cutlery and a sharpened metal fragment, held together with tape.
After exiting the cell, CCTV footage reportedly showed Gedel passing the weapon to Dodsworth, who wrapped it in tissue before disposing of it in a bin.
Prosecutors argued that both men were responsible for murder, claiming Dodsworth was aware the attack would take place and assisted by getting rid of the weapon.
The court also heard that Gedel, already serving a life sentence for murder at the time, was seen smiling and laughing afterwards, asking officers to “let me know when he dies”.
He was also heard saying “have a good night’s sleep Watkins lad” as he was escorted past the cell where Watkins was receiving emergency medical attention.
In his defence, Gedel told the court he disliked being housed with sex offenders at HMP Wakefield and had threatened violence against “any number of paedophiles” if not relocated.
He claimed Watkins was chosen mainly due to “proximity”, as he had been placed in the neighbouring cell shortly before the attack after being moved for previous assaults on inmates.
Dodsworth denied involvement, insisting he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He said Gedel handed him the weapon after leaving Watkins’ cell and that he initially tried to return it before panicking and discarding it upon seeing Watkins injured.
Watkins was originally sentenced in 2013 after pleading guilty to 13 child sex offences. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Royce, said the case broke “new ground” and “plunged into new depths of depravity”.
His two co-defendants, the mothers of children he abused, received sentences of 14 and 17 years.
Following his arrest, Lostprophets confirmed they could no longer continue as a band under that name after the revelations.
