Jury Discharged in Ian Watkins Prison Murder Trial
The jury in the trial of two inmates accused of murdering former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins in prison has been discharged.
Watkins was fatally stabbed with a makeshift knife inside his cell at the high-security HMP Wakefield on 11 October last year.
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Prisoners Rico Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 44, faced trial at Leeds Crown Court on charges of murder and possession of a knife within the prison.
Watkins, aged 48 and originally from Pontypridd, was sentenced to 29 years in prison in December 2013 after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences, including the attempted rape of a fan's baby.
On Friday, Mr Justice Hilliard addressed the jury, stating:
"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."
