Girl stabbed teen in Holytown because she thought he was going to attack her
Last updated 11th Dec 2018
A girl has admitted stabbing a teenage boy to death - but only because she feared she was going to be assaulted. The 17 year-old - who cannot be named - stabbed Conner Cowper at a flat in Holytown, Lanarkshire on April 12 this year.
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 then grabbed a knife amid claims Conner “lunged” at her.
The incident was said to have sparked memories of abuse she suffered at the hands of an ex-boyfriend.
Her QC Tony Graham asked: “On April 12. what did you think?”
She replied: “I thought he was going to assault me. I thought back to when I was with (her ex partner).”
Mr Graham: “You picked up the knife - why?”
The girl: “To defend myself.”
The defence advocate went on: “The knife went four inches into Conner Cowper's neck - how did it get there?”
The 17 year-old: “I did it.”
Mr Graham also asked: “Do you have any recollection of making that plunging motion at all?”
She replied: “No.”
It was further put to her why she had lifted a knife to an “unarmed man”.
The teenager said: “Don't know...I was scared.”
The girl was giving evidence at her trial where she denies murder.
She told jurors of suffering “weekly violence” in a previous relationship which ended in March 2018.
The teenager added she had been thinking of her “past history” with her ex during the row with Conner.
She claimed Conner had been the first person to “shout” at her since leaving her former lover.
Mr Graham asked: “How did that make you feel?”
She replied: “In a way, scared.”
The QC also quizzed her on what went on after Conner was struck that day.
Mr Graham: “You left the house...what did you think you had done?”
The girl: “Stabbed someone.”
The advocate: “Did you think you would be charged with the crime of murder?”
She replied: “No.”
Prosecutor Mark McGuire later said the girl's evidence was "utter nonsense".
He went on: "You were in no danger from that lad. He presented no risk to you whatsoever.
"He did not attack, threaten or lunge at you."
She replied: "Yes, he did."
Mr McGuire said the 17 year-old knew Conner had been stabbed, but she fled the house to "leave him to die".
The advocate depute added: "You did not summon help because you wanted him dead?"
The teenager: "No.''
The trial, before Lord Arthurson, continues.