Two prisoners accused of killing a pedophile are on trial for murder. Ian Watkins, a singer with Lostprophets, passed out when jurors voiced “concerns” throughout the trial.
Rico Gedel, 25, killed the humiliated musician by stabbing him in his cell at high-security HMP Wakefield while he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offenses.
After leaving the cell, Gedel gave the homemade knife to 44-year-old fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, who put it in a trash can, according to testimony given at Leeds Crown Court.
Both defendants denied having a knife while incarcerated and killing Watkins.
Jurors were released from their duty today after being sent out to deliberate their decisions on Tuesday.
“I can’t let the trial continue with the concerns that have been raised when I don’t think that I can allay them,” Judge Mr. Justice Hilliard told them. “I can’t take that risk, so very reluctantly I’m going to discharge you and the case will have to be retried.” That is not a comment on anyone, but it is disappointing for you and everyone else. I understand how the situation might have developed, but the trial must come first, and I am entrusted with maintaining its integrity.
Former Lostprophets vocalist Ian Watkins, a paedophile serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual crimes, was fatally stabbed in his cell at high-security HMP Wakefield.
After leaving the cell, Rico Gedel (pictured) gave the homemade knife to 44-year-old fellow prisoner Samuel Dodsworth, who discarded it in a garbage, according to testimony given to Leeds Crown Court.
Samuel Dodsworth, Gedel’s 43-year-old co-accused, entered a not guilty plea to Watkins’ murder. “I’m sure you’ll understand that.” I must prioritize my safety.
Because jury chamber talks are sacred, it is illegal to reveal the specifics of the “concerns” raised that led to the trial’s collapse.
Gedel had earlier told the trial that he detested living around sexual offenders at Wakefield and had threatened to harm “any number of paedophiles” if he was not moved.
He said that Watkins’ “proximity”—having been placed in the cell adjacent to him the previous evening after being transferred from another wing for attacking three inmates there—was a major factor in his decision.
Gedel added, “Sometimes what your heart wants is not what your brain wants,” adding that while “part of him” wanted to kill Watkins, another half did not.
Because Dodsworth “knew the attack was going to happen” and helped Gedel by getting rid of the knife, the prosecution claimed that both Gedel and Dodsworth were guilty of murder.
Dodsworth, who is incarcerated for raping a lady, claimed he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and had no involvement in the assault.
He claimed that after leaving Watkins’ cell, Gedel gave him the knife. He attempted to return it but instead threw it away after becoming alarmed upon seeing Watkins hurt.
Watkins was long thought to be vulnerable in jail because of his well-known crimes and because other inmates thought he had access to money, according to Leeds Crown Court.
Watkins had received two threatening messages the day before he was slain. One of them demanded £500 and said, “I promise you I will get your head cracked open, you snitch,” if payment was not made.
“You’ll see what happens to you if it’s not finished by Saturday.” This is your final chance, so don’t mess around.
Watkins, a resident of Pontypridd, South Wales, was imprisoned in 2013 after confessing to a number of child sex offenses, such as having sex with a kid and attempting to rape an 11-month-old infant.
In addition to the 29-year minimum penalty, he received consecutive sentences of 14 and 15 years in prison, as well as additional penalties for 11 other offenses.
Gedel entered Watkins’ cell at 9.19 a.m. on October 11 and left 20 seconds later, according to CCTV footage.
Later, he was captured saying, “Have a good night’s sleep, Watkins lad,” on the bodycam of a prison guard.
“If I’ve killed him, you could be talking to someone famous,” he allegedly boasted to the officers, adding, “If I’m going to do life for murder, I’m going to make sure it’s worth it.”
Gedel acknowledged cutting Watkins with a homemade knife throughout the trial, but he denied planning to seriously hurt him.
On February 8 of the following year, a retrial is set to begin.
