A TEENAGER who stabbed his 16-year-old friend through the heart with a kitchen knife in Halifax has been found guilty of murder.
Luke Rychter, now 16, was drinking with a group of friends at his sister's house when he plunged the knife into the chest of his friend, Grant Douglass, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Rychter told a jury how he killed his friend accidentally as he turned with a knife in his hand while making a cheese sandwich.
But the seven men and five women took about three hours to find the teenager guilty.
Judge James Stewart QC told Rychter he wanted pre-sentence reports to be prepared.
There were tears in the public gallery and among some jury members as the foreman gave the verdict.
Rychter showed no emotion. He was in the dock with his mother and a security guard. As Rychter was led from the dock he said "see you later, mum".
The jury heard how Rychter, who was 15 at the time, took the knife out of a drawer and stabbed Grant Douglass. The victim did not realise he had been stabbed and, according to one witness, he laughed, but soon collapsed outside.
Mr Palmer said there was no doubt Rychter had stabbed Grant on February 17 and the issue was his intent.
The case was adjourned until November 7.
