The accused killers of schoolgirl Brianna Ghey allegedly used a "code word" to signal when they should start their gruesome attack.
Brianna, a transgender teenager, was stabbed 28 times in a horrific knife attack at Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire, in February this year. The alleged killers are two teenagers, aged 15 at the time, were identified in court only as Boy Y and Girl X. They both deny murder and blame one another.
But the prosecution allege both are responsible for the horrific attack and today, during the second day of the murder trial at Manchester Crown Court, a number of chilling alleged messages between the pair were read out.
In them, they allegedly discussed in detail their desire to kill Brianna, amongst others, and planned out how they may do so, and how they may escape justice afterwards. The court also heard that they also discussed purchasing a knife, finding torture videos online, and more.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC claimed that the pair, both aged 16 now, had a 'preoccupation' with 'violence, torture and death'. She also highlighted one string of alleged messages which included a note Girl X sent to Boy Y. It was entitled: "Saturday 11 February 2023. Victim: Brianna Ghey."
Police later found this note in the girl’s bedroom when she was arrested the following day, along with other plans to target future victims, the court heard. Ms Heer read out the note about Brianna during which Girl X described a "code word" used to trigger their alleged attack.
It read: "Meet Boy Y at wooden posts 1pm. Walk down to library ... bus stop. Wait until Brianna gets off bus then the 3 of us walk to linear park. Go to the pipe/tunnel area. I say code word to boy Y. He stabs her in the back as I stab her in the stomach. Boy Y drags the body into the area. We both cover up the area with logs etc."
In other messages, Girl X said she was "excited as f*** for 11 February", the court was told. This was "clearly" a plan to kill Brianna, Ms Heer told the jury. Alleged messages read out in court between Boy Y and Girl X contained a number chilling and vile themes, including repeated reference to violence and murder, and at one point Girl X described being "obsessed" with Brianna.
In reply, Boy Y called Brianna an “it”, and repeated transphobic slurs. After the horrific murder, Girl X allegedly sent Snapchat messages to Brianna claiming she had "ditched" them for a 17-year-old from Manchester. This, the prosecution said, was an "obvious attempt" to set up a defence.
The prosecution also said that Girl X later posted a tribute to Brianna on Snapchat describing her as an "amazing friend" and said it was "so f****** sickening" what took place.
Proceedings continue tomorrow.