The cross-examination of Terri-Lynne McClintic — convicted of first-degree murder in the death of eight-year-old Tori Stafford — continued Thursday at the murder trial of Michael Rafferty.

McClintic, 21, is testifying at the trial of her ex-boyfriend, Michael Rafferty, 31, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping in the death. McClintic is already serving a life sentence.

**Disclaimer: Details of this case are graphic. Reader discretion is advised**

Reporters Laura Carney, Francis D’Souza and Cynthia Mulligan are in London for the trial. You can follow their tweets from the courtroom live below starting at 10 a.m. (Note: Coverage may contain graphic content)



McClintic denied a suggestion Thursday that she was the “engine” behind a plot that went deeper than she has let on, saying she didn’t think she was walking the eight-year-old girl to her death.

“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Terri-Lynne McClintic told court. “I did what I did. But I’m not the only guilty party here, and that’s why I’m sitting here today.”

On Wednesday, Rafferty’s lawyer showed the jury a series of letters McClintic wrote from a detention centre before the murder that use disturbing, violent imagery and portray herself as a ruthless thug at the institution.

McClintic told the jury that she had endorsed the gang culture and their way of life.

In the letter in which McClintic talks about wanting to smash someone’s skull, she describes ways in which she would torture her victim, including lighting them on fire.

On Wednesday the jury was also shown an hour-long police interrogation video from 2009 in which McClintic claims it was Rafferty who killed Stafford.

The taped confession marks a stark contrast from the recent testimony heard in court in which McClintic says she was the one who actually killed the little girl.

When asked why in that confession she blamed Rafferty, McClintic said it was because she couldn’t come to terms with the idea that she had actually committed murder.

Asked again if she would like to change the testimony she has given, McClintic simply said no.