Three ways teenage killers showed no 'rituals of innocence' in interviews
The two teen killers of Brianna Ghey failed to display their innocence on three occasions during their police interviews, according to a body language expert.
Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, were identified on Friday for the first time after being dubbed Girl X and Boy Y in the media because they are still juveniles in the eyes of the law. However, in December they were found guilty of trans teen Brianna Ghey's murder, and the presiding judge decided there was a strong public interest in lifting the restrictions. At sentencing, she shared their names.
On February 2, both killers were sentenced to a combined 42 years. Jenkinson was told she must serve at least 22 years and Ratcliffe will serve at least 20 years. The same day Jenkinson's family released their first public statement, agreeing with the decision to name the teen killer and saying how "truly sorry" they are for her despicable crime.
On Friday, police released footage of the pair's police interview, which has now been analysed by body language expert Judi James. She says the teenagers failed to attempt to produce "rituals of innocence" while being grilled on the transgender girl's death.
Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were named as Brianna Ghey's killers on Friday (PA)She told The Mirror: "Neither teenager adopts an overtly ingratiating demeanour here or makes any real attempt to produce rituals of innocence, like wide-eyed shock, denial or fake tears. They also do not seem to adopt signals of bravado, superiority, smugness or open challenge or rebellion."
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In addition to the interview tapes, Cheshire Police also shared bodycam footage of each of the teens' being sentenced. In it, Jenkinson, of Warrington, utters "how come I am a suspect?" to officers.
The four-week trial there heard Brianna, 16, was stabbed to death in a "sustained and violent assault" with a hunting knife in a park in Culcheth near Warrington, Cheshire on a Saturday afternoon last February. The defendants, for weeks, had exchanged messages about killing people and a detailed plan for Brianna's murder. They were just 15 at the time of the killing.
Scarlett Jenkinson during her police interview (PA)Following their conviction, Brianna's mother Esther Ghey said: "To now know how scared my usually fearless child must have been when she was alone in the park with someone that she called her friend will haunt me forever. I am glad that they will spend many years in prison and away from society."
Brianna's murder took place in broad daylight on February 11 last year in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire. But the two, 15 at the time, had planned their kill much earlier and had spent months plotting to live out their "thirst for killing" together over WhatsApp. They first met when they were 11 and went on to form a close yet sinister bond, confiding in one another about their dark desires.
Yesterday Jenkinson's family told the Warrington Guardian: "All of our thoughts are for Brianna and her family. The last 12 months have been beyond our worst nightmares as we have come to realise the brutal truth of Scarlett’s actions. We agree with the jury's verdict, the judge's sentence and the decision to name the culprits. Our lives are in turmoil, but our immediate focus is to make sure that we don’t do anything against the wishes of Brianna’s family."
The statement continued as the family offered their "sincere thanks" to Brianna's mother for her "incredible selflessness and empathy towards our family". "Her compassion is overwhelming and we are forever grateful," the statement read. “To all of Brianna’s family and friends, our community and everyone else that has been affected by this horror, we are truly sorry.”
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