A girl accused of murdering Brianna Ghey repeatedly lied and adopted her co-defendant's version of events, a court has heard. The 16-year-old transgender victim was stabbed to death in a Cheshire park in February.
Two teenagers, known only as boy Y and girl X for legal reasons, both deny murder and blame each other. Each claims they walked away when Brianna was stabbed and turned to see the other committing the killing.
In closing speeches at Manchester Crown Court, trial judge Mrs Justice Yip told the jury they will retire to consider verdicts on Wednesday morning. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said both accused shared a fascination with violence and torture, and had planned the killing for weeks, acting 'in it together from first to last'.
Richard Littler KC, representing boy Y, argued his client, who has autism spectrum disorder and selective mutism, was controlled and manipulated by girl X. He described the difference between the two as 'frankly remarkable', with one unable to speak and the other 'ready and willing to confidently lie and lie again'.
Mr Littler said girl X's account of walking away to stretch her legs was 'ridiculous' and her story was a 'carbon copy' of boy Y's account to police. He noted no blood was found on her clothing because her red top had been washed, while the knife and blood-stained items were found at boy Y's home.
The jury was reminded of a handwritten note found in girl X's bedroom and messages about obtaining drugs. Mr Littler said girl X had 'tricked, controlled and manipulated' Brianna, and had turned 'fantasy into reality' by writing, directing, and stage-managing the attack.
