
Below you'll find a timeline of documentaries, podcasts, rulings and events bringing together just some of the voices who question this conviction.
All they find is evasion. After twenty years the simplest question cannot be answered.
Where is the evidence that makes this conviction safe?
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Luke Mitchell: The Devils Own?
Presenter: Sam Poling
First Broadcast: May 2007
Sam Poling is an award-winning investigative journalist specialising in fraud and corruption.
Three times BAFTA award winner.
Best known from her work on the Emma Caldwell investigation, fraud and her expose of police corruption
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Police Scotland decline to take part in the documentary.
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Judith Jones attacks Corinne MitchellFebruary 2008 Jodi's mother, Judith Jones visits Corinne Mitchell's workplace in the middle of the day and physically attacks her. The attack is sustained to the point where the police are called and eventually remove Judith Jones from the premises. Until the Police confirm it, Judith denies the attack. No action is taken against her.
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The family business burnsScott's Caravans, the business set up by Corinne's father, was attacked immediately after the conviction. Her home is also targeted. In 2013, 33 caravans are set alight after the announcement of a probe into DNA evidence. The site is again engulfed in flames in 2023. In the years immediately following the conviction, the threats to Corinne are life-threatening. A brick is thrown through her car while driving and her home is targeted. She is not safe on public transport.
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Appeal: Mark Kane dismissed at suspectNamed in the documentary, Mark Kane is dismissed as a potential suspect at appeal. However, the failure of the police to eliminate him means he is named as a strong suspect. This is distressing and traumatic for Kane, who passes away in 2018. The risks that eyewitnesses could have confused Kane for Mitchell are dismissed though judges confirm the similarity in colouring and build between the two. Kane was known to wear a parka coat and confirmed he was out running in Dalkeith on the evening of the murder. There is no evidence to suggest Kane was involved in Jodi's murder. He was a vulnerable young man who would have been spared a lot of trauma had the police acted appropriately and eliminated him from the enquiry in the early stages.
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Verdict of Appeal"The case against the appellant was wholly circumstantial. There was no direct evidence that he was responsible for the murder of Jodi Jones." ref The appeal judges point to a missing knife. They state that Luke's knife and knife pouch were "not relevant". Though Mitchell carried knives prior to the murder, his fishing knife and multitool were taken by police. A skunting knife bought after the murder was handed in by Mitchells solicitor after the police seized its empty pouch in a raid. It is not known how the judges came to believe a knife was missing. Issues around media attention, pre-trial publicity and local hysteria prejudicing the trial remain. That such risks may have been compounded by a trial heard locally, the appeal verdict was that this decision was left to the discretion of the trial judge. Issues around witness identification remain. That the Mitchell's dog Mia, was a training tracker dog, was not explored. The Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill said, "There is no doubt that the appellant is an unsympathetic individual. There is also no doubt as to the strength of public outrage in Dalkeith and beyond. Since the appellant will not even be considered for parole until he is almost 36, the chances of his being rehabilitated and making something of his life will be gravely prejudiced. The prospects of his becoming institutionalised beyond hope of recall will be significant."

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Anything Goes With James English
Presenter: James English
First Broadcast: March 2019
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In 2019 Joe Steel voiced the growing support for Luke Mitchell from the prison estate;
"That boy's innocent. Someone should take up his case. He's only got his ma."
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Joe Steele was wrongly convicted in the ice cream wars and served twenty years.
Joe Steele prompted James English to look at the case in detail.
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Murder in a Small Town
​John Sallens and Michael Neil
First Broadcast: Channel 5 Feb 2021
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John Sallens is a Criminal and Civil Investigator. He worked with Sam Poling on her investigation into Emma Caldwell's murder. This led to Ian Packers arrest. Professor Allan Jamieson also features in this two part documentary. Professor Jamieson has repeatedly spoken out against the disclosure regime of Police Scotland.
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Police Scotland declined to take part.​​​​
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Judith Jones attacks Corinne MitchellFebruary 2008 Jodi's mother, Judith Jones visits Corinne Mitchell's workplace in the middle of the day and physically attacks her. The attack is sustained to the point where the police are called and eventually remove Judith Jones from the premises. Until the Police confirm it, Judith denies the attack. No action is taken against her.
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The family business burnsScott's Caravans, the business set up by Corinne's father, was attacked immediately after the conviction. Her home is also targeted. In 2013, 33 caravans are set alight after the announcement of a probe into DNA evidence. The site is again engulfed in flames in 2023. In the years immediately following the conviction, the threats to Corinne are life-threatening. A brick is thrown through her car while driving and her home is targeted. She is not safe on public transport.
-
Appeal: Mark Kane dismissed at suspectNamed in the documentary, Mark Kane is dismissed as a potential suspect at appeal. However, the failure of the police to eliminate him means he is named as a strong suspect. This is distressing and traumatic for Kane, who passes away in 2018. The risks that eyewitnesses could have confused Kane for Mitchell are dismissed though judges confirm the similarity in colouring and build between the two. Kane was known to wear a parka coat and confirmed he was out running in Dalkeith on the evening of the murder. There is no evidence to suggest Kane was involved in Jodi's murder. He was a vulnerable young man who would have been spared a lot of trauma had the police acted appropriately and eliminated him from the enquiry in the early stages.
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Verdict of Appeal"The case against the appellant was wholly circumstantial. There was no direct evidence that he was responsible for the murder of Jodi Jones." ref The appeal judges point to a missing knife. They state that Luke's knife and knife pouch were "not relevant". Though Mitchell carried knives prior to the murder, his fishing knife and multitool were taken by police. A skunting knife bought after the murder was handed in by Mitchells solicitor after the police seized its empty pouch in a raid. It is not known how the judges came to believe a knife was missing. Issues around media attention, pre-trial publicity and local hysteria prejudicing the trial remain. That such risks may have been compounded by a trial heard locally, the appeal verdict was that this decision was left to the discretion of the trial judge. Issues around witness identification remain. That the Mitchell's dog Mia, was a training tracker dog, was not explored. The Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill said, "There is no doubt that the appellant is an unsympathetic individual. There is also no doubt as to the strength of public outrage in Dalkeith and beyond. Since the appellant will not even be considered for parole until he is almost 36, the chances of his being rehabilitated and making something of his life will be gravely prejudiced. The prospects of his becoming institutionalised beyond hope of recall will be significant."
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Through the Wall: The case against Luke Mitchell
​Presenter: Naomi Channell
First Broadcast: Jan 2023
​Podcast - Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
England
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Naomi Channell is to be commended for her detail and research. She repeatedly states she is, 'neither for nor against Luke" and tries to see both sides. ​
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Issues: Naomi Channell expresses confusion around the missing knife. ​​​​​​​
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Premeditated Patter
Presenter: Hawaii Fivo with Scott Forbes
First Broadcast: 1 Jan 2023
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Scott Forbes and Hawaii Fivo visit Dalkeith.
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Starting at Luke's house they trace the path the Crown claim Luke must have taken on the day Jodi was murdered, explaining how unlikely the case is on several counts.​​​​

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Truth and Justice with Bob Ruff
Truth & Justice is a crowdsourced, true crime podcast hosted by Bob Ruff.
Podcast available on Spotify, itunes etc
First Broadcast: Sept 2023 ​
USA
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Issues: It was claimed that trial transcripts were unavailable. Following broadcast, some transcripts have been made publicly available though they do not include the transcripts of the boys by the murder scene nor that of Judith Jones. Please note these transcripts are not 100% accurate due to typographic errors. (For example Corinne Mitchell's age is given as 35 and Luke's height is not correct.)
Further Reading
For in-depth analysis of the case, I recommend John Smythe's blogs.
His timeline of the day of the murder is very detailed. I recommend reading this after watching Scott Forbes and Hawaii Fivo's visit to Dalkeith.
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John Smythe provides analysis on;
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