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Jodi killer begins court appeal Jodi killer claims 'unfair trial'
(about 5 hours later)
The teenager found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Jodi Jones has begun his appeal against the conviction. The lawyer for a Midlothian teenager, jailed three years ago for murdering his girlfriend, has told the court of appeal he did not get a fair trial.
Luke Mitchell is also challenging his sentence at a hearing which is expected to last two weeks at the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh. Luke Mitchell told the Appeal Court in Edinburgh that this was because the case was held in the capital where it had received considerable publicity.
Jodi, 14, was tied up and stabbed to death in woods near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian, on 30 June 2003. Mitchell, 19, was jailed for a minimum of 20 years for killing 14-year-old Jodi Jones on 30 June, 2003.
Mitchell was found guilty of murder after the longest single accused murder trial in Scottish legal history. She was stabbed to death in woods near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian.
He was detained for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars by Judge Lord Nimmo Smith. Her partly-clothed and mutilated body was found beside a path near her home in the village of Easthouses.
Mitchell, now 19, has consistently protested his innocence. Following her death, graphic newspaper headlines appeared, among them "Find Jodi maniac," and "Deranged Jodi killer soaked in her blood".
Long-haired Mitchell, wearing a black suit and blue shirt, sat in the dock as his appeal got under way.
It's clear that this particular journey is going to take, I would think, something in the order of about three days to work through Donald Findlay QCDefence lawyerIt's clear that this particular journey is going to take, I would think, something in the order of about three days to work through Donald Findlay QCDefence lawyer
His defence lawyer, Donald Findlay QC, told the court he would begin by outlining the general background to the case, and a timeline of events, before going on to address the grounds of appeal in detail. Donald Findlay QC, defending, said Mitchell did not get a fair trial because of the imagery of the newspaper headlines which would have been read by jurors in the Edinburgh area.
He said the first ground of appeal to be addressed would be the location of the trial. Mr Findlay also told the court investigations which may lead to new witnesses being brought before the court are still proceeding.
Mitchell's defence team have previously indicated that they hope to look at possible fresh evidence in the case. He said it would be later in the week before he would be in a position to seek permission to bring new evidence forward.
It was decided that this issue would be looked at once other submissions had been made. Mr Findlay described it as "a work in progress". Mitchell is appealing against his conviction and challenging his sentence.
He said: "It's clear that this particular journey is going to take, I would think, something in the order of about three days to work through." The appeal is expected to last about a fortnight, with the three judges giving their decision later.
Mitchell, who has always protested his innocence, was found guilty of murder after the longest single accused murder trial in Scottish legal history.
Long-haired Mitchell, wearing a black suit and blue shirt, sat in the dock as his appeal got under way.
Mr Findlay said: "It's clear that this particular journey is going to take, I would think, something in the order of about three days to work through."
The appeal is being heard before the Lord Justice General Lord Hamilton, Lord Osborne and Lord Kingarth.The appeal is being heard before the Lord Justice General Lord Hamilton, Lord Osborne and Lord Kingarth.
The judges are likely to give their decision at a later date.