A murder trial at Lincoln Crown Court has ended without a verdict after jurors were unable to agree on the fate of a teenage girl accused of killing a mother-of-three.
Trial Collapses After 17 Hours of Deliberation
Jurors were discharged on Tuesday, December 16, after deliberating for almost 17 hours over the case. They had heard more than two weeks of evidence but could not reach the required majority verdict.
When asked by High Court Judge Mrs Justice Tipples if more time would allow at least ten jurors to agree, the jury foreman replied "No." The judge subsequently thanked the panel for their service and discharged them from jury duty for life, acknowledging the distressing nature of the case.
Horrific Details of the Attack Emerged
The court heard that the victim, 43-year-old Marta Bednarczyk, suffered 143 separate knife injuries. The prosecution alleged that the teenage defendant, who was 13 at the time of the incident and cannot be named, had conducted online research and planned the killing.
Ms Bednarczyk was pronounced dead at a terraced property in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, in March. Evidence suggested she was likely deceased before her body was set alight in a fire at the address on March 10.
Path to a Retrial in 2026
The defendant, now aged 14, had admitted to manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder, with her defence claiming diminished responsibility. With the jury unable to deliver a verdict, the case will now face a retrial.
A new three-week trial has been scheduled for May 2026, where another jury will be tasked with deciding the outcome of this tragic and complex case.
