Chilling Park Attack: Woman Admits Manslaughter After Slitting Girl’s Throat
Prosecution Drops Murder Charge
The prosecution pulled the plug on the murder charge against Eltiona Skana, 30, after offering no further evidence. Skana, who admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, had denied murder. But the court was told she admitted to psychiatric staff that her attack was “premeditated.”
‘I Picked My Victim and Killed Someone’ – Shocking Confession
During the trial, Jonathan Pettet, a nurse team leader at Rampton Hospital, revealed that Skana confessed to planning the attack while being assessed in August.
“I killed someone, that’s the reason why I’m here,” Skana told Mr Pettet.
“She said, ‘it was premeditated, I waited in the park, I picked my victim and I killed somebody and tried to run away.’”
Warnings Ignored Before Fatal Attack
Skana, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was switched from injected medication to tablets just four months before the tragic murder of 10-year-old Emily Jones on March 22. Community mental health nurse Victoria Fagan admitted she had concerns about the medication change and increased visits to Skana but noticed no signs of relapse.
Brutal Park Murder Unfolded in Seconds
On the afternoon of March 22, young Emily was scooting through Queen’s Park in Bolton with her father. She spotted her mother jogging nearby and called out. Unknown to the family, Skana sat on a bench armed with a craft knife. Suddenly, Skana sprang up and slit Emily’s throat, then fled the scene.
Skana was arrested by Greater Manchester Police and detained under the Mental Health Act. While the prosecution acknowledged her mental illness, they questioned if this was murder or if poor mental health was a “convenient excuse.” But after expert evidence at Minshull Street Crown Court, the judge ordered a ‘not guilty’ verdict on murder.
Sentencing for manslaughter is set for Tuesday under Mr Justice Wall.
