Teenager cleared of murdering nine-year-old girl (opens original article in a new tab)

A 16-year-old boy was cleared of murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe after a trial where he claimed the stabbing occurred during a playfight. The jury returned not guilty verdicts for both charges. The boy stated he panicked and left the scene after the incident.

• Teenage boy found not guilty of murdering nine-year-old girl Aria Thorpe in her home
• Jury returned not guilty verdicts for murder and manslaughter charges
• Defendant claimed he and Aria were playfighting when she was fatally stabbed