Is Luke Mitchell innocent?

Source: Daily Record

A new Channel 5 documentary will investigate the theory that Luke Mitchell could be innocent in the murder of Jodie Jones back in 2003. In 2005, Luke Mitchell was convicted of Jodie’s killing however for years wide speculation has cast doubt on his conviction and the fairness of his trial. Now in the new Channel 5 documentary, two former detectives set out to prove he was not Jodie’s killer.

Jodie Jones was 14 at the time of her murder. She had gone missing after leaving her home to meet her boyfriend Luke Mitchell. She was later found dead down a small lane known as Roan’s Dyke path in her hometown of Midlothian. He murder was violent, she had been restrained, her body slashed multiple times and her throat cut. Mitchell quickly became the prime suspect in the murder. He is said to have been the first to find her body beyond an opening in a wall while searching for Jodie alongside other members of her family. The media then began a campaign against Mitchell highlighting his interest in music by Marilyn Manson and began heavily suggesting Mitchell was interested in aspects of satanism and that he carried a knife.

The detectives in the documentary claim other possible suspects were overlooked during the initial investigation and that the police had Mitchell’s cards marked from the very beginning. Fresh claims from the detectives also highlight concerns with the suspected time of Jodie’s death. They say the crime scene was not properly protected so exposed to the elements overnight. The pathologist did not arrive at the crime scene until the following morning so the time of death could be deemed unreliable. Due to the injuries on Jodie’s body they also state the murderer would have been covered in blood yet no traces were ever found on Mitchell or in his home. The detectives also say they have their own very strong suspect but they can’t be named for legal reasons.

Criminologist Dr Sandra Lean has also spoken openly about the Mitchell case. She has appeared on the James English podcast and discussed in depth aspects of the case that suggest the conviction could be unsafe. In the interview she makes several claims including that the police potentially leaked information to the press about the Mitchell family that fuelled their dislike for Luke. She questions the reliability of a witness who made a statement claiming she saw Luke…