Girl, 14, conspires to murder grandmother

A 14-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to participating in her grandmother’s fatal stabbing.

Police say Talia Riddle told the alleged assailant she was mad at the older woman and wanted her to die because she had read her diary.

Yesterday, Riddle accepted a plea agreement in which she admitted conspiring to commit murder in the January 5, 2003, slaying of Karen Sue Toy, 57.

Her trial on adult charges had been scheduled to begin Monday.

Under the deal, prosecutors dismissed the most serious charge – aiding, inducing or causing a murder – which carries a maximum 65-year prison term.

The deal calls for Riddle to receive between 20 and 30 years in prison, with an additional 10 to 20 years of probation.

Riddle agreed to testify against her alleged co-conspirator, 19-year-old Craig Cain, who could face the death penalty if convicted of murder. His trial is set to begin on September 27.

During yesterday’s hearing, Riddle said on the day of the killing, she told Cain she was mad at her grandmother and wanted her to die.

Police have said Riddle was angry over her grandmother reading her diary. But Riddle said she was upset over a suicide attempt by a sibling the previous day.

Grant County Prosecutor James Luttrull Jr. said he discussed the agreement with police and Toy’s family.

”They were all in agreement that this was just and appropriate in light of the circumstances,” he said.