In Snapchat feud, a boy found guilty of murdering a 12-year-old girl

A boy who stabbed a schoolgirl after a fight over a Snapchat video was convicted guilty of her murder.

Ava White, 12, was stabbed to death in Liverpool’s city center after the Christmas lights switch-on on November 25, 2021.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Liverpool Crown Court that he stabbed her accidentally in self-defense.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, but following a trial, he was found guilty of murder.

Mrs. Justice Amanda Yip informed the youngster that he would face a life sentence as a result of the verdict, but she was still deciding “what the shortest period of time that you would have to serve in custody is.”

According to the court, Ava and her pals got into an argument with the youngster and three of his buddies after the males filmed Snapchat footage of her group.

The youngster told the jury that he overheard one of Ava’s friends threaten to stab his friend if he did not remove an Ava video.

He claimed he only wanted to “frighten her away,” not stab her.

According to Ava’s companions, the boy “grinned” after attacking her in School Lane and then fled.

According to the court, he then threw away the knife and removed his coat, which was later discovered in a wheelie bin.

Shortly after, CCTV showed him and his friends in a shop where the boy took a selfie and the group bought butter, which he said was for crumpets.

He then went to a friend’s home and when his mother contacted him to tell him the police wanted to speak to him, he told her he was playing a computer game.

The youth was arrested at about 22:30 GMT, a few hours after the stabbing, and initially told his mother he was “not going to the cells”.

He told police he had not been in the city center, but in later interviews, he went on to blame another boy for the stabbing.

He told the court he had lied to police because he thought he would “get away with it”, adding: “I was scared I was going to go to jail.”

The boy admitted possessing the knife, which the court heard had a blade measuring 3ins (7.5cm), but denied murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.

The jury was shown edited transcripts of five police interviews conducted in the days after his detention.

Following legal considerations, the jury was not informed that in one interview, he urged an officer to “shut up” and used a disrespectful term to him, while in another, he referred to “smoking pot.”

Mrs. Justice Yip released the jury after it deliberated for two hours and eight minutes, with one jury member wiping away a tear.

More than 20 members of Ava’s family applauded as the verdict was read out, while the boy, who was present via video link, buried his face in his hands.

Adjourning the case for sentencing on 11 July, the judge told the boy that “in light of the jury’s verdict, I think you know I can only impose a life sentence, but what I have to do is decide what the shortest amount of time that you will have to serve in custody is”.

Speaking outside court, Det Supt Sue Coombs said Ava’s mother, father, and sister were “completely devastated”.

“Since that dreadful night they have suffered immeasurable grief and sadness,” she continued.

“It has been heartbreaking for them to witness Ava’s final moments during this court process.”

The detective thanked the members of the public, retail staff, and medics “who did everything they could to try to save Ava’s life”.

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said the city council’s thoughts were also with Ava’s family and friends.

“We can only hope that the verdict brings them some comfort,” Ms. Anderson added.

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