Knife killer in ‘attack’ fear claim
BY GRANT McCABE A GIRL has admitted stabbing a teenage boy to death – but claimed she only did it because she feared she was going to be assaulted.
The 17-year-old – who cannot be named – killed Conner Cowper at a flat in Holytown, Lanarkshire, on April 12.
The girl told the High Court in Glasgow she believed Conner had “fancied” her.
But the teenager claimed the 18-year-old started arguing with her after she kissed another young man.
The girl said she then grabbed a knife after Conner “lunged” at her.
She added that the incident had sparked memories of abuse she suffered at the hands of an ex-boyfriend.
She told the court: “I thought he was going to assault me. I thought back to when I was with (her ex partner).”
Her lawyer Tony Graham asked: “You picked up the knife – why?”
The girl said: “To defend myself.”
Graham went on: “The knife went four inches into Conner Cowper’s neck – how did it get there?”
The 17-year-old, who denies murder, replied: “I did it.”
She told jurors of suffering “weekly violence” in a previous relationship which ended in March.
Prosecutor Mark McGuire later said the girl’s evidence was “utter nonsense”.
He went on: “You were in no danger from that lad. He did not attack, threaten or lunge at you.” She replied: “Yes, he did.” The trial, before Lord Arthurson, continues.