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Woman convicted of murdering her partner for a second time after retrial

A woman who stabbed her partner to death with a steak knife has been convicted of his murder for a second time after a retrial was ordered by the Court of Appeal.

Emma-Jayne Magson, 28, of Sylvan Street, Leicester, killed 26-year-old James Knight with a single stab wound to the heart in March 2016 after a drunken row.

She denied murdering Mr Knight at her first trial claiming it was self-defence, but was convicted of the killing at Leicester Crown Court at the end of 2016.

Magson was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

However, in January 2020, the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial after hearing new psychiatric evidence showing the defence of diminished responsibility would have been available to Magson at her first trial.

James Knight (Leicestershire Police/PA)
James Knight (Leicestershire Police/PA)

Her second trial took place at Birmingham Crown Court where a jury again found her guilty of Mr Knight’s murder, by a majority verdict of 10-2, on Friday.

As the verdict was read out, Magson, wearing a pink top and dark trousers, stood with her hands clasped together, covering the lower part of her face.

Afterwards, she swayed momentarily before sitting back down with her shoulders slumped forward.

Mr Justice Jeremy Baker told her she would be sentenced at the same court on March 29.

Magson’s application for a retrial was supported by campaign group Justice for Women.