Overview
- Samuel Dodsworth, 43, appeared by video from HMP Wakefield and pleaded not guilty to murdering Ian Watkins and to possessing a makeshift knife on October 11.
- Co-accused Rashid “Rico” Gedel, 25, refused to leave his cell at HMP Long Lartin to join the video hearing, and no plea was entered for him.
- Both defendants remain remanded in custody, with a further case-management hearing scheduled for February 2, 2026.
- A jury trial is provisionally set to begin on May 5, 2026, with estimates that it will run for multiple weeks at Leeds Crown Court.
- A coroner has given a provisional cause of death for Watkins, 48, as an incision wound to the neck following the fatal attack at HMP Wakefield on October 11.