Brianna Ghey: two teenagers appear in court charged with murder of transgender girl as vigils held across UK

Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey.

The two accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink on Thursday 16 February. A trial date has been fixed for 10 July with the trial expected to last around three weeks.

The two teenagers, who are both 15 years old, were charged with Brianna’s murder after she was found by members of the public with fatal stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park at shortly after 3pm on Saturday 12 February. Authorities were called to the park but Brianna died at the scene from her injuries.

The two teenagers have been remanded in a youth detention centre. A plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on 2 May.

It comes as vigils for Brianna, who was from Warrington, were held in Bristol and Liverpool. Another group of a couple hundred people gathered in London, where flowers and a sign reading ‘RIP Brianna’ was left at the door of the Department for Education building.

The crowd gathered at the government building chanted throughout the night, chanting: “Say her name, Brianna Ghey.” A minute’s silence for the teenage girl was held at 7pm. Further vigils are planned across the country in the next few days including events in Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff.

LGBT+ media broadcasters have also announced that they will hold a minutes silence for Brianna at 11am on Friday 17 February. Gaydio, Hits Radio Pride, Pride Radio, Gorgeous Radio, Glitterbeam Radio, Trans Radio UK and Juice 1038 will all take part in the tribute.

Brianna’s family previously released a statement in which they paid tribute to the “much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister”. The statement read: “She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious.

“Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind. The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.”