Cathleen Boyer is a girl who, at the age of 16, murdered 18-year-old Kayla VanWert.[1] The murder occurred on May 29, 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.[2]

The pair had been friends but got into an online feud over a boy.[3] VanWet claimed Jorge DeJesus, father of her child, was romantically involved with Boyer.[2] After exchanging online threats,[3] the pair met up to settle the argument in an alleyway where the murder occurred.[1] VanWert died in hospital from stab wounds afterwards.[4]

Boyer initially claimed self-defense[1] but in July 2017 admitted third-degree murder, which carried a maximum of forty years in prison.[3] She was 17 when she pleaded guilty.[2] In October 2017, she was sentenced to between 7 and 20 years in prison.[1] Seven years is the minimum sentence; 20 years was what the prosecution wanted.[3] She had previously tried, and failed, to get her case moved to juvenile court.[2]

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