Overview
- Samuel Dodsworth, 43, appeared via video from HMP Wakefield and denied charges of murder and possession of an improvised weapon.
- Rashid (Rico) Gedel, 25, also faces a murder charge and has sought to appear in person at future hearings.
- The Recorder of Leeds provisionally listed the trial for May 5, 2026 at Leeds Crown Court, with proceedings expected to last several weeks.
- Ian Watkins, 48, was pronounced dead at HMP Wakefield on October 11 after emergency services responded to reports he had been stabbed in the neck.
- A post-mortem cited a provisional cause of death as an incision wound to the neck, and the coroner opened then adjourned an inquest pending the criminal case.