Luke Mitchell: Over 14,000 sign petition for review into convicted killer's case
A new TV documentary has re-examined the case and sparked an uproar among many viewers who want to see a review.
Claire GallowayDigital Journalist
Luke Mitchell leaves Edinburgh High Court where he failed in a bid to have his conviction for murdering his girlfriend Jodi Jones overturned in 2008 (Image: PA)
Nearly 15,000 people have now signed a petition calling for an "independent review" into convicted murderer Luke Mitchell's case.
There has been an uproar after Channel 5's Murder in a Small Town aired last week, which focused on the case of Midlothian teenager Jodi Jones.
Jodi who vanished in June 2003, aged just 14, and her body was later discovered assaulted and mutilated on a woodland path near Easthouses by her then-boyfriend Luke Mitchell.
Mitchell, who is now 32, was later convicted for her murder after a 42-day trial but has always maintained his innocence.
Ex-detectives in the programme claimed the convicted murderer is innocent, stating that a number of leads were not followed up properly. One of the ex-officers said: "From the very start of the police investigation Mitchell was treated differently.
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"He was separated from the other three in the search party. All four should have been forensically examined but only Mitchell was.
"Mitchell was treated unfairly from the start. His statement was the only one that was tape-recorded and it was marked as 'suspect'."
In the wake of the documentary, a petition has been launched calling for an "independent review" into Mitchell's case.
It reads: "The 2005 conviction of Luke Mitchell for the murder of Jodi Jones in 2003 requires an urgent and fully independent inquiry. There are far too many unanswered questions to consider this conviction safe.
"In the spirit of true justice and transparency, we, the undersigned, demand that all evidence and information be released to an independent panel (not the SCCRC) for scrutiny, comment and recommendations. The people are willing to raise funds to contribute to the cost of such an inquiry."
Over 14,800 people have signed the petition, which had aimed to secure 15,000 signatures.
Police Scotland have responded to the documentary, insisting a thorough investigation was carried out and said they are "satisfied" that the right man is in prison.
Police Scotland Detective Chief Superintendent Laura Thomson said: "Following the discovery of 14-year-old Jodi Jones' body within a wooded area in Easthouses, Midlothian, on 30th June 2003, a thorough investigation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police.
"Extensive forensic analysis was carried out along with door-to-door inquiries and other investigative techniques and a full report of the circumstances was submitted to the COPFS.
"As a result, Luke Mitchell, who was 15 at the time, was charged with Jodi's murder, before being convicted and sentenced in 2005.
"We are satisfied that we do not need to trace any other individuals in connection with this investigation."
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