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Leeds Jury Discharged, Prison Murder Trial Ends, Retrial Ordered

5/22/2026

42 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A Leeds jury was discharged, ending the trial of Rico Gedel and Samuel Dodsworth for Ian Watkins’s killing at HMP Wakefield and prompting a retrial.
Rico Gedel testified he targeted Ian Watkins because the paedophile was placed next to him after a transfer.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said both were culpable, stating Samuel Dodsworth knew the attack would occur, discarded the weapon, and Gedel described himself as conflicted.

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Story summary

A Leeds jury was discharged, ending the trial of Rico Gedel and Samuel Dodsworth for Ian Watkins’s killing at HMP Wakefield and prompting a retrial.
Rico Gedel testified he targeted Ian Watkins because the paedophile was placed next to him after a transfer.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said both were culpable, stating Samuel Dodsworth knew the attack would occur, discarded the weapon, and Gedel described himself as conflicted.