On September 2022 I interviewed Scott Forbes regarding his book A Long Walk to Justice. The book covers the murder, of Jodie Jones, a 14-year-old schoolgirl from Dalkeith, West Lothian on 30th June 2003.
The book covers the investigation and eventual conviction of Jodie’s boyfriend Luke Mitchell also 14 years old. The book reveals a farcical police investigation. A destroyed crime scene. Witnesses missed from the investigation. Procedures either not followed or just ignored. Witnesses also children coerced and bullied into making false statements all to fit a narrative.
It is alleged in the book that the police investigation early on convinced themselves that the only suspect in this case was Luke Mitchell. A young boy with no previous convictions, indeed never before on the police radar. A stable middle-class family. No previous acts of violence or disorder. Yet for reasons best known to the investigating team all other suspects were either ignored or discounted from their enquiries. Luke was their killer and they were going to prove it one way or another. The book suggests it was another!
Thanks to the determination of Scott Forbes and Dr Sandra Lean a criminologist, we now know more facts than were ever given to Luke’s defence team or the jury. Known violent rapists in the local area and in the timeframe of the murder. Sperm deposits on the victims clothing that was not Luke’s sperm! A condom found 15 metres away from the dead body, again, not Lukes sperm. Indeed when this sperm was identified years later it belonged to a neighbour of the victim. He was never questioned on the murder? Why not?
No murder weapon was ever entered into evidence. Jodie lost 6 litres of blood yet where the body was found there was hardly any trace of blood deposits. Why was this never explained properly to the jury? 300 wounds and no blood? The police never took soil samples to discover if the blood had seeped into the ground. The body was kept at the scene overnight uncovered and unguarded. The crime scene was trampled on abd destroyed. Forensic photographers even cut away branches around the area of the body contaminating the entire site!
Now nearly 20 years on it has since been discovered that Police Scotland acting on someone’s instruction decided to start destroying evidence two years ahead of the usual timescale for such things. Over 1,600 pieces of evidence have been wrongfully destroyed. Also recently discovered is a police secret file.
In this secret file over 300 pieces of undisclosed evidence including further DNA samples and other interesting never before disclosed pieces of evidence exist. Full sperm samples from different parts of Jodie’s body that were bever disclosed to the defence or jury. Evidence that our investigators believe could prove or disprove the conviction of Luke Mitchell.
The crown via the Lord Advocate has to agree to these samples being tested for DNA. That has thus far not happened. It needs to happen to prove the Innocence or otherwise of Luke Mitchell and remove once and for all time any doubt over this conviction.
I speak to Scott and Sandra to hear their side of this sorry and sad episode. Part of this discussion shows links between the Lord Advocate, the prosecuting counsel and an appeal court judge that make for uncomfortable reading. When listening please remember both the victim and the convicted were 14 year old children at the time of this crime. They both deserve justice.
Hi Roddy, don’t mean to be a PITA but in para 6, you have Judy and not Jodie. Cheers.
Cheers,sorted
I’m also going to be a PITA and point out that Dalkeith is in Midlothian!
I am so sorry your life is so boring.
I am pleased that BHB and TASP has given more coverage to the Jodi Jones murder and subsequent Luke Mitchell conviction.
Based on what I have read there are very serious question that need to be addressed regarding the investigation into her death and the subsequent conviction of Luke Mitchell.
Something does not gel and there a some very well skilled individuals saying this. Miscarriages of justice do happen. And as we know from recent court cases from Salmond to Hirst to Murray or in fact the malicious prosecution of Rangers, our judicial system is very much compromised.
Luke Mitchell was, a young man jailed for something he says he did not do. The Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six were jailed for crimes they did not commit. The Authorities knew they were innocent but did everything possible to resist righting the wrong. Our police, prosecution service and judiciary are the same.
Time this case was reopened. And good on BHB for flagging the issue again.
Thanks for that Roddy, Sandra and Scott.
The Scotland we care about is rotten to its very core
Could I suggest a peaceful protest outside Bute House given the new circumstances to maximise publicity?
Just about to watch the Prism, but I had to say from what you’ve written, what shocking negligence and deliberate destruction seems to have taken place by professionals who must have known what they were doing.
That poor boy and his family. I never thought Luke was guilty, it always seemed wrong to me. I’ve no skin in this story, just a deep disgust about injustice in general.
And Jodie’s family: what must they have suffered, and still suffering. I really hope they all get justice and the new information is acted on.
Its against Scots law to leave a dead body unguarded. Burke & Hare with help from rats saw to that.
Who prosecuted the case?
Alan Turnbull now Lord Turnbull and he is married to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain who has refused the petition, sanctioned the illegal destruction of the evidence and will in my opinion refuse access to the remaining samples to have them tested
I have tried to post the prissm debate to my facebook page. I think it has been blocked. A witch hunt right enough.
The cult on FB love me 😁😁
Almost beyond belief. Almost. A cold case investigation needs to be set up and that young man released. The two investigators have done sterling work, and you, sir, have given them a voice, and through them, both Luke and Jodie. Well done, all of you.
Thank you, Roddy for opening up the truth concerning this horrendous case. It’s something we should all know and do our utmost to right this terrible wrong.
Very interesting. I have no way of knowing for sure that Luke Mitchell is innocent or has no connection with the murder of that poor lassie, but what is certain is that his guilt was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. As I recall, not a shred of physical evidence was produced at the trial to link him to the murder. He should never have been convicted. Even more ridiculous, the most absurd, fatuous circumstantial ‘evidence’ was presented which supposedly indicated his guilt, such as that he liked the musician Marilyn Manson. Not to everyone’s taste, perhaps, but as I asked at the time, if a murderer happens to be a fan of Cliff Richard or The Carpenters, does that indicate that they’re guilty? Or does musical taste only indicate guilt if it’s of a sort that fine, upstanding middle-aged policemen don’t like?
Just finished listening to this for a second time to take it all in. Unbelievable BB. Well done putting this on. Great work once again by Scott and Sandra. How they got away with all this beggars belief and I really hope something can happen for the boy. As nice a boy as can be at primary when we used to see him and his mum in the playground at school end. They said well done to us in the corridor after my son won 1st prize at a fancy dress night. As clean cut as a schoolboy can be.
Luke’s dog wouldn’t have needed to be an incredibly good sniffer dog.
Anyone who has experience with dogs like Springer Spaniels and many other breeds will tell you.
I am assuming that this dog knew and had a special relationship with Jody as Luke’s girlfriend.
If i am wrong on that assumption then ignore this comment but if i am right there is no way a reasonable good tracker breed would pass by so close to Jody without showing strong signs of alertness.
I know this from experience. Try playing hide and seek with a Springer Spaniel. It will find you within seconds even at a distance of 50 yards. How much this is the trail, which would fade over time (days?) and how much is direct body smell, i don’t know. But i have no doubt, a reasonable hunting/tracker breed would smell Jody easily at 50m unless the winds was strong in opposite direction.
Perhaps you didn’t listen closely enough this was a German Shepherd dog trained by a Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Veterinary Regiment who referred to Mia as an exceptional tracker.