Simon Vickers jailed 15 years for fatally stabbing his daughter Scarlett, 14, during a play fight in their kitchen last July.
Sarah Hall, the mom, was there and supported Vickers, her partner of 27 years. She claimed he loved Scarlett and wouldn’t hurt her. The jury convicted him of murder last month after debating for about 13.5 hours.
Vickers received a life sentence, and he must serve at least 15 years. Sarah Hall and his parents still support him, believing Scarlett’s death was an accident. Notably, Vickers gave three different stories about that moment.
Scarlett died from one stab wound that pierced her chest. She was a ninth-grade student. Her classmates held a memorial for her at a park, where they released balloons. Her friend Charley said Scarlett was nice to everyone.
The school described her as respectful and polite with a great sense of humor. Her friends and the staff will greatly miss her, and the school is helping students and staff cope.
The defense lawyer said everyone is serving a life sentence. Scarlett’s mom believes Vickers didn’t mean to hurt her, a sentiment echoed by his parents, who can’t believe he is a murderer.
The judge said Scarlett’s life was cut short because of Vickers. He noted the night went from happy to tragic quickly due to a loss of temper and that Vickers never told the truth.
Vickers, age 50, drank wine and smoked cannabis on the day of Scarlett’s murder. Sarah prepared spaghetti, and they playfully threw grapes. Scarlett called him “wimpy” after he complained of being nipped with tongs.
As Sarah turned to serve dinner, she heard Scarlett say “ow” and then saw Scarlett covered in blood. Sarah called 999, saying they were “messing about,” and that Vickers threw something, not realizing what happened.
Scarlett died at the home. Vickers told paramedics it was a freak accident and that Scarlett lunged at him. However, the prosecutor argued it couldn’t be an accident, as the knife was held with force.
The prosecutor argued that Vickers loved his daughter, but the knife couldn’t have been swiped or thrown as it went too deep. It was “practically impossible” by accident and Vickers had a history of violence, slashing a man’s face in 1993.
Detectives may never know what really happened, as there is no reason for Vickers’ actions. Scarlett would be alive if he hadn’t picked up the knife. This case is heartbreaking for everyone involved.